Artwork
Self-Portrait under the Mask of a Woman
Self-Portrait under the Mask of a Woman is a tempera painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1897 and is held in the collection of the Munch Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1897, *Self‑Portrait under the Mask of a Woman* is a tempera work by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. The composition shows a formally dressed male figure against a vivid red field, while a concealed female visage hovers above, its eyes hidden behind a mask. The painting resides in the Munch Museum in Oslo.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a self‑portrait of Munch, rendered in a black suit with a stark white collar, suggesting a public persona. The superimposed woman’s masked face introduces an element of concealment, hinting at the artist’s exploration of hidden identities and the tension between outward appearance and inner experience.
Technique & Style
Executed in tempera, the work displays the flat, decorative surface typical of late‑19th‑century post‑impressionism. Munch employs bold colour contrasts—deep red background against the dark suit—to heighten emotional intensity. The mask’s delicate rendering and the simplified forms reflect his interest in psychological symbolism over realistic detail.
History & Provenance
Munch painted the piece during a period marked by personal illness and family loss, after his studies at the Royal School of Art and Design in Kristiania (now Oslo). Influenced by the bohemian circle around nihilist Hans Jæger, he turned toward introspective subjects. The painting entered the collection of the Munch Museum, where it remains on display.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
