The artwork titled “Harry Graf Kessler” is an oil on canvas portrait painted by the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch in 1904. This painting belongs to the Expressionism movement and measures 86 x 75 cm. As noted, the genre of the work is a portrait and it is held in a private collection.
The artwork depicts a half-length portrait of a man, presumably Harry Graf Kessler, against a backdrop of colorful and abstractly depicted bookshelves. The subject is poised with his body facing slightly to the left while his gaze confronts the viewer head-on, creating an immediate connection. He appears dignified, with a neatly trimmed mustache and wearing formal attire, including a dark suit, vest, and tie with a hint of purple, which reflects a certain level of sophistication and probably indicates his social status. The painter has utilized a vivid and bold color palette, with the bookshelf rendered in bright colors and abstract forms that help focus the viewer’s attention on the subject while also hinting at the subject’s intellectual pursuits. The strokes and color application are loose and expressive, characteristic of Munch’s style within Expressionism, where emotional and psychological states are given visual form. The subject’s facial expression is contemplative and reserved, suggesting a depth of character and thought. The use of thick paint and visible brushwork adds texture and emphasizes the expressive nature of the piece. Overall, the artwork captures a sense of the personality and inner life of the subject, a common objective in both the genre of portraiture and the Expressionist movement.