17th of May in a Small, Norwegian Town 1919

Edvard Munch created this oil on canvas painting, entitled '17th of May in a Small, Norwegian Town', sometime during his career. This scene depicts Norway's Constitution Day, a celebration of national identity and sovereignty, yet Munch renders it with an unusual, almost unsettling perspective. We see the festive atmosphere, the bright clothing, and waving flags, but there's a sense of alienation. Munch was part of a generation of artists who questioned traditional values and social structures. Looking at Norway in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, we see a nation grappling with its identity and newfound independence after centuries of Danish and Swedish rule. The national day became a focal point for expressing this identity. Munch, with his distinctive expressionist style, offers us a look at this national celebration, inviting us to consider the complexities of national identity and the individual's place within it. To fully appreciate Munch's work, we can look to historical archives, literary sources, and critical essays that shed light on the cultural context of his time.