Artwork
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Man is a tempera painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1943 and is held in the collection of the Munch Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1943, *Portrait of a Man* is a tempera painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. The work presents a close‑up view of a male head, rendered with a palette of muted yellows, blues and pinks. It is part of the permanent collection of the Munch Museum in Oslo.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on a solitary figure, his gaze directed outward with a steady, dark intensity. The sketch‑like treatment of the facial features suggests an emphasis on psychological presence rather than detailed likeness, aligning with Munch’s broader interest in inner emotional states.
Technique & Style
Munch employed tempera, a fast‑drying medium that yields a slightly grainy surface. The brushwork is loose and rapid, producing uneven lines and a sense of immediacy. The limited, pale color scheme and the unfinished appearance of the cheeks and forehead reinforce a post‑impressionist approach to portraiture.
History & Provenance
The painting was executed during the later phase of Munch’s career, after years of personal hardship and artistic development at Oslo’s Royal School of Art and Design. It entered the Munch Museum’s holdings, where it remains accessible to the public as part of the artist’s extensive oeuvre.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
