Self-Portrait in Hell (1903) by Edvard Munch

Self-Portrait in Hell - Edvard Munch - 1903

Artwork Information

TitleSelf-Portrait in Hell
ArtistEdvard Munch
Date1903
Mediumoil,canvas
Dimensions82 x 65.5 cm
Art MovementExpressionism
Current LocationMunch Museum, Oslo, Norway

About Self-Portrait in Hell

The artwork “Self-Portrait in Hell” is a significant piece by Edvard Munch, created in 1903. This self-portrait is executed in oil on canvas and measures 82 x 65.5 cm. It epitomizes the Expressionist movement, which emphasizes emotional experience over physical reality. Currently, the painting is housed in the Munch Museum in Oslo, Norway. This work reflects the personal struggles and psychological intensity that are characteristic of Munch’s oeuvre.

The artwork presents a haunting self-depiction, where the artist portrays himself against an inferno-like backdrop, steeped in intense reds and oranges that evoke an emotional tumult and a suffocating atmosphere. Munch stands pallid and shirtless, set in stark contrast to the fiery background, which suggests a personal hell. His expression is somber and contemplative, with an introspective gaze that seeks the viewer’s empathy for his troubled state.

A shadowy figure looms behind him, possibly indicative of past ghosts or the ever-present specter of existential dread that was a recurrent theme in Munch’s art. The use of dark, undefined shapes conveys a sense of foreboding and underscores the theme of isolation that persists throughout the artist’s body of work. The painting is raw and unsettling, capturing the essence of a man who confronts his inner demons, making it a powerful exemplar of Expressionism’s capacity to convey the depths of human emotion.

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