Separation II

1896

Meetings with Gauguin and the Symbolists in Paris

During an important stay in Paris he met Gauguin, Émile Bernard, Maurice Denis, and Symbolist poets, notably Mallarmé. At this time he turned to etching, woodcut, and lithography.

May 1896

Exhibition at the Maison de l'Art Nouveau

Siegfried Bing showed 60 of Munch's works, including "The Kiss," "The Scream," "Madonna," and "The Sick Child." The exhibition introduced the French public to the artist's work.

1898

Beginning of the Affair with Tulla Larsen

An affair began with Tulla (Mathilde) Larsen, a wealthy young Norwegian woman. Initially warm, the relationship in time began to weigh on Munch because of Tulla's ardor and possessiveness.

1902

The Revolver Incident

After Tulla Larsen's suicide attempt and a mysterious quarrel, Munch shot himself through the hand and was hospitalized. The relationship with Tulla ended, but the artist's mental wellbeing was badly shaken.

1902

"The Frieze of Life" Complete at the Berlin Secession

"The Frieze of Life" was exhibited for the first time in the form the artist had conceived, at the gallery of the Berlin Secession; Munch wrote of the show's "symphonic effect." Here he gained long-standing patrons, Albert Kollmann and Max Linde.

autumn 1908

Nervous Breakdown and Dr. Jacobson's Clinic

Amid heavy drinking, hallucinations, and persecution mania, Munch entered Daniel Jacobson's clinic in Copenhagen, where he spent about eight months. The treatment stabilized his condition; after his return to Norway in 1909 his painting became lighter and more optimistic.