The artwork titled “Self-portrait. The night wanderer” is a seminal piece by artist Edvard Munch created between 1923 and 1924. It falls under the Expressionist movement and is executed in oil on canvas. The self-portrait measures 90 by 68 centimeters and currently resides in the Munch Museum in Oslo, Norway.
The artwork captures a striking and introspective moment, often characteristic of Munch’s profound self-examinations. The subject, presumably Munch himself, stands off-center in an interior space that is suggestive of a nocturnal setting. His figure is hauntingly illuminated, the light and dark contrasts sharply painted to evoke a deep sense of internal tumult and psychological depth. The brushstrokes are loose and vigorous, creating a strong sense of movement and emotional intensity.
The colors are vivid yet carry a certain heaviness, with the blues and yellows of the background juxtaposing against the darker shades of the figure’s clothing. The subject’s gaze is absent and directed away from the viewer, enhancing the enigmatic quality of the portrait. The composition, with the open window and the stark interior, may imply a moment of reflection or a feeling of being trapped between the interior world of the self and the external night outside.
This self-portrait is emblematic of Munch’s Expressionist approach, where the exploration of inner feelings and states of mind takes precedence over realistic representation. The artwork distinctly conveys the atmosphere of solitude and introspection.