The Freia frieze, a vibrant and seemingly joyous public artwork by Edvard Munch, has long been celebrated for its beauty and its connection to the renowned Norwegian chocolate company, Freia. However, as curator Ana María Bresciani reveals, there is a darker, more complex story behind this iconic piece. In this article, I explore the bitter truth behind the Freia frieze, examining the historical context, the exploitation of workers, and the artistic motivations that drove Munch to create this powerful work. What makes this particularly fascinating is the way in which Munch's artwork both reflects and challenges the societal norms of his time, offering a unique perspective on the relationship between art, power, and the working class. From my perspective, the Freia frieze is not just a beautiful painting; it is a powerful statement on the exploitation of labor and the struggle for gender equality. One thing that immediately stands out is the contrast between the lavish expenditure on art and the meager wages of the workers who produced the chocolate that funded it. As the Oslo-based daily newspaper, Arbeiderbladet, pointed out in 1923, while the workers were kept on starvation wages, large capital was invested in costly paintings, which in time could be sold at a large profit. This raises a deeper question: what role should art play in society, and how should we value the contributions of those who produce the goods that fund it? If you take a step back and think about it, the Freia frieze can be seen as a reflection of the societal values and priorities of the time. In the early 20th century, Norway was undergoing significant social and economic changes, with the rise of the welfare state and the fight for workers' rights. Munch's artwork, with its focus on the working class and its depiction of idyllic scenes, can be interpreted as a response to these changes, offering a vision of a more equitable and just society. However, what many people don't realize is that the Freia frieze was created in a context of exploitation and racism. Freia's cacao sourcing, which first came from South America and the Caribbean, and later from Ghana, at the time a British colony, was marked by violence and racism. This raises a deeper question: how can we reconcile the beauty and power of art with the dark history of the industries that fund it? From my perspective, the Freia frieze is a powerful reminder of the complex relationship between art, power, and society. It is a work that both reflects and challenges the societal norms of its time, offering a unique perspective on the struggle for gender equality and the exploitation of labor. What this really suggests is that art is not just a reflection of society, but also a force for change. It can be used to challenge the status quo, to raise awareness of social injustices, and to inspire new ways of thinking and acting. In this sense, the Freia frieze is not just a beautiful painting; it is a powerful statement on the human condition and the struggle for a more just and equitable world.
