Ivo de Figueiredo

The Storm - A Biography of Edvard Munch

Stormen - En biografi om Edvard Munch

Edvard Munch is not only celebrated as Norway​’​s preeminent artist, he has also etched a permanent mark on global culture. The Storm chronicles the life of this prodigious artist who, after rattling Kristiania with his revolutionary artworks, made a dynamic entrance onto the European stage, emerging as a formidable force from the north. From the iconic ​“​The Scream​” to captivating pieces like ​“​Madonna​” and ​“​Vampire​”​, Munch did more than merely depict scenes; he rendered raw emotions on canvas. His life and oeuvre navigated through an era marked by monumental shifts in both global events and the artistic domain. To understand Munch​’​s life is also to understand the tumultuous backdrop of his contemporary Europe.​​

Winner of the 2024 Mads Wiel Nygaard​’​s Endowment
The Storm, Vol. I (2023) was nominated for the 2023 Critics​’ Prize

​‘​Exemplary artist biography.​’​

Adresseavisen

​‘​Ivo de Figueiredo​’​s new Munch biography is an event [​…​]. I only put the manuscript down when I had to. [​…​] With flow, pace, and a sense of anecdotes, the biographer follows the chronically restless, increasingly alcoholic artist from city to city, from environment to environment, from room to room, from painting to painting. [​…​] Together, these ingredients guarantee a highly readable life portrayal. As soon as I finished ​‘​The Storm​’ I started looking forward to the next volume.​’​

Klassekampen - on Vol. I

​‘​Outstanding about Munch! ​‘​The Storm​’ is the first volume in what will almost certainly become the definitive work on Edvard Munch for a long time to come.​’​

VG, 5/6 stars - on Vol. I
Photo: Agnete Brun

Ivo de Figueiredo (b. 1966) is a Norwegian historian, biographer, and writer. He has written several critically acclaimed books, including biographies and works on cultural and intellectual history. His most notable works include a two-part biography of Henrik Ibsen, Henrik Ibsen: The Man and Henrik Ibsen: The Mask. Figueiredo is recognized for his detailed research and engaging narrative style, making complex historical subjects accessible to a wider audience. His contributions to Norwegian historiography have earned him numerous awards.​​