| munch and ibsen | Munch and Ibsen – Peer Gynt Munch read Peer Gynt during his stay at Doctor Jacobson's clinic in Copenhagen 1908-09. The reading resulted in a series of illustrations for the play, and it is obvious that Munch read the play as if he were himself Peer Gynt. Peer is given Munch's own facial characteristics, and in the Button Moulder one can recognise the traits of Munch's old benefactor from Germany, the "Mephisto character" Albert Kollmann. In spite of his artistic triumphs, Munch remained, in his own eyes, "one of God's step-children on earth". Like Peer Gynt, he too returned to Norway after many years in exile. In Act V, the Button Moulder lets Peer know that he was never a great sinner nor a virtuous man, therefore he shall be re-moulded, like all mediocre souls. Afraid of not having made his mark on this world, Peer seeks witnesses who can testify that he was a sinner - he would much rather go to hell than melt into the great mass. |
After the Stealing of the BrideAct II - 1909 or later The Death of Mother AaseAct III - 1909 or later Anitra's DanceAct IV - 1913 At The Crossroads -Peer & the Button MoulderAct V - 1909 or later |