The artwork titled “Self-Portrait” is an oil on board painting created by Edvard Munch between 1881 and 1882. This piece, which measures 26 by 18.5 centimeters, belongs to the Realism art movement and is categorized as a self-portrait. The artwork is part of the collection at the Munch Museum in Oslo, Norway. Its modest dimensions heighten the feeling of intimacy that emanates from the artist’s self-examination.
In the artwork, Edvard Munch captures his own likeness with a direct and introspective gaze. The portrait shows a young Munch with his head slightly turned to offer the viewer a three-quarter view. His features are well-defined, with a particular focus on the sharpness of his eyes, which seem to engage the viewer in a silent but piercing dialogue. The use of light and shadow in the work illustrates Munch’s skill in rendering the complexities of the human face, creating a sense of depth and psychological insight that is characteristic of Realism. Despite the realistic depiction, there is an underlying sense of emotional intensity that foreshadows the expressionistic style that would later become synonymous with Munch’s most famous works. The somber color palette and the delicate interplay between darkness and the flesh tones of Munch’s face emphasize the solemnity of the self-portrait, giving the viewer insight into the artist’s inner world at a young age.