Who painted Self-Portrait by the Window?

Self-Portrait by the Window was painted by Edvard Munch in 1940.

Where can I see Self-Portrait by the Window?

Self-Portrait by the Window is held by Munch Museum.

What movement is Self-Portrait by the Window?

Self-Portrait by the Window is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Self-Portrait by the Window?

Museum-quality prints of Self-Portrait by the Window are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Self-Portrait by the Window

Edvard Munch , 1940

Self-Portrait by the Window is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1940 and is held in the collection of the Munch Museum. Created in 1940, this oil painting presents the artist seated before a window, his gaze directed inward.

About this work

The window behind him adds a sense of depth to the composition, while the muted colors contribute to the overall somber atmosphere.

The painting depicts an older man with a serious expression, wearing a dark jacket over a lighter-colored shirt. He is positioned in front of a window with a green frame, which is partially visible on the right side of the canvas. The background of the painting is a mix of red and green hues.

The man's face is rendered in bold brushstrokes, with a focus on capturing his introspective mood. The window behind him adds a sense of depth to the composition, while the muted colors contribute to the overall somber atmosphere.

This painting is a representation of the artist's self-portrait, created in 1940. To learn more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, explore the works of Edvard Munch.

Overview

Created in 1940, this oil painting presents the artist seated before a window, his gaze directed inward. The figure, an older man in a dark coat over a light shirt, occupies the foreground while a green‑framed window and a muted backdrop of reds and greens frame the scene. The work resides in the permanent collection of the Munch Museum in Oslo.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a solitary figure whose serious expression conveys introspection. The window, a motif recurrent in the artist’s oeuvre, functions as a visual metaphor for the tension between isolation and the desire for connection, inviting viewers to contemplate the inner life of the sitter.

Technique & Style

Executed with bold, expressive brushwork, the portrait reflects post‑impressionist concerns with psychological depth. The artist employs a restrained palette of dark and muted tones, allowing the reds and greens of the background to recede and emphasize the figure’s face. The handling of light and shadow suggests a subtle chiaroscuro that enhances the contemplative mood.

History & Provenance

Painted toward the end of the artist’s career, the work was acquired by the Munch Museum shortly after its completion. It has remained in the museum’s holdings, where it is displayed as part of the broader narrative of the artist’s late self‑portraits and his ongoing exploration of self‑representation.