Artwork
Old Man with a Beard
Old Man with a Beard is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1899 and is held in the collection of the Munch Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1899, *Old Man with a Beard* is an oil painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. The work portrays an elderly, bearded figure from the chest upward, his head slightly inclined and gaze directed downward. A muted, dark backdrop frames the subject, while a gentle golden illumination highlights his face and beard, lending the composition a somber tone.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait captures the physical signs of age—white, flowing beard and lined skin—conveying a sense of introspection and melancholy. Munch’s focus on the inner emotional state of the sitter aligns with his broader interest in psychological experience, suggesting a contemplation of mortality or personal loss.
Technique & Style
Employing chiaroscuro, Munch contrasts a soft, warm light on the man's features with the surrounding darkness, creating depth and a three‑dimensional presence. The handling of oil paint reflects post‑impressionist tendencies, with loose brushwork and an emphasis on mood over precise detail.
History & Provenance
The painting has remained in Norway, forming part of the permanent collection of the Munch Museum in Oslo. It was acquired shortly after its completion and has been displayed there as a representative example of Munch’s late‑nineteenth‑century portraiture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
