Munch, Edvard

Autograph letter signed, three pages (two sheets), 5,5 x 8,5 inch, `Grand Hotel Haglund` letterhead, Gothenburg, in Norwegian, to his lawyer Johannes Roede - concerning his stay in Gothenburg, his Ekely property in Skøyen near Oslo, and his efforts to sell a painting, written and signed in dark ink "Edvard Munch", with a central horizontal letter fold, and mild signs of wear to the edges - in nearly very fine condition.

In parts:
"Hr. overretsagfører Jos Roede.
Jeg er nu i det storartet hyggelige Göteborg hvor jeg har det fredeligt og godt hvis det ikke var sligt traekkul [ill.]. Jeg vilde gjerne bli her en stund for det er vanskeligt for meg at få tilstrekkelig ro i Norge over [ill.].
Jeg har averteret Ekely til [ill.]. Det er det eneste da det er haabløst at selge noget af det - Det var en felle -eiendom - Nu får jeg se om det lar seg [ill.] gjøre for meg at selge list. Det blir nok vanskeligt. Det holdes nu en mand der kunnet vilde kjøbe et billede. Jeg vilde gjerne ha solgt list i dette år om ikke [for] annet så [for] at höste det ulykkelige skatteråd. Når den engang skulde gjennomgaas, selv om givelsen så var det nok en mand [ill.] denne gang at gjøre det helt grundigt… "

Translated:
"I am now in the splendid and pleasant city of Gothenburg, which is good and peaceful to me, except for charcoal pollution. I would stay there gladly for another moment, because it is difficult for me, in Norway, to have enough tranquility [...].
I published the sale of Ekely [...]. What was the only thing [to do] when one was desperately struggling to sell a portion of one's property - it was a mistake. Now I will see if I can sell intelligently. It will be very difficult. Recently I met a man who would like to buy a painting. I would have willingly sold in good conditions that year, if only to avoid the intransigent tax inspector..."

In 1916 Edvard Munch acquired the Ekely property in Skøyen near Oslo. He lived there until his death on January 23, 1944. The Swiss-style villa was demolished in 1960, only the workshop designed by Henrik Bull has been preserved and now hosts artists.