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1889

First Solo Exhibition

He held his first solo exhibition of nearly all his works; the recognition brought him a two-year state scholarship to study in Paris under Léon Bonnat.

autumn 1889

Studies under Léon Bonnat in Paris

He arrived in Paris during the World's Fair and began attending Léon Bonnat's classes. He visited exhibitions and museums assiduously and experimented with Impressionism and Pointillism.

1889

Death of His Father and the Saint-Cloud Manifesto

News of his father's death after a stroke was a heavy blow: Munch fell into depression and withdrew into himself. His rethinking of life resulted in the "Saint-Cloud Manifesto" and the painting "Night in Saint-Cloud."

1892

The Berlin Circle: Strindberg and Przybyszewski

He immersed himself in the life of Berlin's artistic "underground," growing close to August Strindberg, Stanisław Przybyszewski, and Dagny Juel, who became his muse.

1892

"The Munch Affair": Scandal in Berlin

At the invitation of Adelsteen Normann he exhibited at the Union of Berlin Artists; the show provoked fierce controversy and was closed within a week. The conflict led to a split in the Union and the formation of the Berlin Secession.

1893

The "Love" Exhibition: Beginning of "The Frieze of Life"

At an exhibition on Unter den Linden he showed, among other works, six paintings under the title "Studies for a Series: Love" — the beginning of the cycle later named "The Frieze of Life — a Poem about Life, Love and Death."