Comment:
Munch was never a documentary artist in the real sense. A few drawings of official or public events do exist, however. In 1882, for example, he depicted the fireworks above the Palace celebrating the visit by the Crown Prince Couple, Gustav and Victoria, and on 1 July 1890 he was present during the German Emperor Wilhelm II’s visit to the city and drew depictions of the festivities on that occasion. This drawing is more of a curio – most likely from one of the earliest ski jumping competitions held at Husebybakken, a precursor of the Holmenkollen competitions. Perhaps it is the very first depiction of this archetypal Norwegian winter sport?