Artwork
Daniel Jacobson
Daniel Jacobson is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1908 and is held in the collection of the Munch Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1908, *Daniel Jacobson* is an oil portrait by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. Executed during his post‑impressionist phase, the work measures a single figure against a vivid yellow field. It resides in the permanent collection of the Munch Museum, reflecting the artist’s sustained interest in portraying inner states through color and form.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents a moustachioed man in a dark suit and tie, his gaze meeting the viewer directly. His expression is neutral, offering no overt narrative, yet the direct eye contact invites contemplation of the sitter’s psychological presence, a theme recurrent in Munch’s exploration of human emotion and identity.
Technique & Style
Munch applies oil with loose, gestural strokes that convey movement and vitality. The bold yellow background contrasts sharply with the darker clothing, heightening the figure’s prominence. This expressive handling of color and brushwork aligns with Munch’s post‑impressionist vocabulary, emphasizing mood over precise detail.
History & Provenance
The portrait emerged after Munch’s formal training at the Royal School of Art and Design in Kristiania, a period during which he engaged with contemporary radical ideas, notably through his association with the nihilist writer Hans Jæger. Since its creation, the painting has remained within the Munch Museum’s holdings, ensuring its preservation within the artist’s institutional legacy.
Context
*Daniel Jacobson* belongs to a series of portraits Munch produced in the early 20th century, a time when he was intensifying his investigation of psychological depth. The work reflects the broader cultural shift toward expressing inner experience rather than external realism, situating the painting within the evolving modernist discourse of its era.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
