The Lost Munch Paintings Hidden in a Chocolate Factory

Edvard Munch’s large-scale paintings for the Freia chocolate factory in 1923 were the first ever decorative artworks to be commissioned for a factory. It was also the first time such works had been commissioned for a women’s canteen. Taking the frieze of paintings Munch created for Freia as a starting point, the exhibition explores his interest in making art for public spaces, as well as the project’s broader social context. At the time, Freia – Norway’s most iconic chocolate brand, both then and now – was seen as a progressive company which prioritised the wellbeing, health and welfare of its employees. Two thirds of Freia’s staff were women, and the exhibition highlights women’s campaign for rights, as both employees and human beings. Follow us: Instagram: munchmuseum Facebook: munchmuseet TikTok: munchmuseet Director: Ingrid Stenersen Produced by MUNCH in collaboration with Spindel Film. (c) Munchmuseet