The artwork titled “Self-Portrait with Brushes” was created by Edvard Munch in 1904. This oil on canvas piece measures 197 by 91.5 centimeters and is a self-portrait that exemplifies the Expressionism movement. It is housed in the Munch Museum located in Oslo, Norway.
In this self-portrait, Munch presents himself standing upright and facing forward, engaging the viewer with a direct gaze. His attire is formal, comprising a dark suit, a white shirt, and a bowtie. The artist holds a selection of paintbrushes in his left hand, positioned across his midsection, which signifies his profession and passion as a painter. The brushwork is loose and expressive, a characteristic of the Expressionist style that Munch was known for. The background of the artwork is divided into two distinct segments with contrasting colors and brushwork: a cool, textural blue on one side and a bright, almost aggressively applied yellow on the other. The dichotomy in the background may suggest an emotional or psychological division, a motif that Munch often explored in his work. The choice of colors and the technique emphasize the personal and emotional experience of the artist rather than a photorealistic representation. Overall, the artwork is a reflective piece that offers insight into Munch’s identity and state of mind during the period in which it was created.