Artwork
Portrait of Edvard Munch
Portrait of Edvard Munch is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the Finnish National Gallery. In 1898 Akseli Gallen‑Kallela created an oil portrait of his fellow Norwegian artist Edvard Munch.
About this work
Overview
In 1898 Akseli Gallen‑Kallela created an oil portrait of his fellow Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. Executed during the later phase of the post‑impressionist period, the work is part of the Ateneum Museum’s collection in Helsinki.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents Munch with short, light‑colored hair, a modest mustache, and a solemn expression. He is dressed in a dark jacket, white shirt and a dark tie accented with green, his gaze directed downward, suggesting introspection.
Technique & Style
Gallen‑Kallela employed a realistic approach, allowing the figure to emerge from a dark, muted background. The lighting falls from the left, illuminating the artist’s face, while the brushwork remains evident, lending texture to the clothing and skin.
History & Provenance
Since its completion, the portrait has remained within public holdings, eventually entering the Ateneum’s permanent collection, where it is displayed alongside other works from the Nordic fin de siècle.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Akseli Gallen-Kallela (born Axel Waldemar Gallén; 26 April 1865 – 7 March 1931) was a Finnish painter and a leading figure of Finnish romantic nationalism around the turn of the 20th century.
