Edvard Munch was a Norwegian painter and printmaker considered to be a pioneer in the Expressionist movement in modern painting. He developed a free-flowing style of painting which though built upon the principles of the late 19th century Symbolism, was unique in its own right. What distinguished his paintings from those of others was the profound psychological themes that underlined his works. He often drew inspiration from morbid topics like illness, depression, and death—probably a result of the tragedies and losses he suffered during his childhood. His mother died when he was just five and he also lost an elder sister when he was a kid. His other siblings too did not enjoy good health, adding to his woes. His father was a caring person, and he grew up in a culturally stimulating home, but the early unhappy memories of his losses always haunted him. Though he initially enrolled at a technical college to study engineering, he soon realized that his true passion was art and moved on to study at the Royal School of Art and Design. Naturally talented, he poured out his grief onto the canvas, in the form of intense paintings with deep underlying psychological themes. Eventually he became a much respected artist, recognized all over the world for his invaluable contributions to the Expressionist movement.