Who painted Self-Portrait with Hands in Pockets?

Self-Portrait with Hands in Pockets was painted by Edvard Munch in 1923.

Where can I see Self-Portrait with Hands in Pockets?

Self-Portrait with Hands in Pockets is held by Munch Museum.

What movement is Self-Portrait with Hands in Pockets?

Self-Portrait with Hands in Pockets is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Artwork

Self-Portrait with Hands in Pockets

Edvard Munch , 1923

Self-Portrait with Hands in Pockets is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1923 and is held in the collection of the Munch Museum.

About this work

This painting shows a man with his hands in his pockets, looking directly at the viewer.

This painting shows a man with his hands in his pockets, looking directly at the viewer. He's wearing a dark jacket over a lighter-colored shirt. The background is mostly shades of blue and white.

The man's face is the main focus, with his eyes and eyebrows standing out. His expression is serious, but not stern. The artist has used thick brushstrokes to create a sense of texture and depth.

This painting is a self-portrait by Edvard Munch, created in 1923. To learn more about the artist's techniques and style, look up "chiaroscuro".

Overview

Created in 1923, this oil on canvas self‑portrait shows Edvard Munch standing with his hands tucked into his pockets, gazing directly at the viewer. The figure is dressed in a dark coat over a lighter shirt, set against a muted backdrop of blues and whites that recede into an almost abstract space.

Subject & Meaning

The work presents the artist’s own likeness, his face rendered with particular attention to the eyes and eyebrows, which convey a contemplative seriousness without overt severity. By positioning his hands in his pockets, Munch suggests a relaxed yet introspective stance, inviting reflection on his personal identity and inner life.

Technique & Style

Munch employs thick, expressive brushstrokes that build texture across the surface, especially in the facial features and clothing folds. The handling of light and shadow reflects a chiaroscuro approach, creating depth through contrast while the overall palette aligns with the post‑impressionist tendency toward emotional resonance over strict realism.

History & Provenance

The portrait entered the collection of the Munch Museum in Oslo, where it remains on display. It was painted during the later phase of Munch’s career, a period marked by a return to self‑portraiture as he revisited personal themes after decades of public acclaim.

Context

Produced after Munch’s formative years at Oslo’s Royal School of Art and Design and his involvement with late‑19th‑century bohemian circles, the painting reflects the artist’s continued interest in psychological expression. Though best known for more overtly dramatic works, this piece illustrates his sustained engagement with subtle, introspective portraiture within the broader post‑impressionist movement.