Artwork
Self-Portrait with Hat and Red Tie
Self-Portrait with Hat and Red Tie is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1915 and is held in the collection of the Munch Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1915, this oil painting presents the artist in a formal ensemble—a dark coat, hat and a striking red tie—against a loosely rendered backdrop of yellow, green and white. The composition centers on a directly gazing, neutral‑expressed face, rendered with visible, textured brushwork that conveys a palpable immediacy.
Subject & Meaning
The work functions as a self‑portrait, offering a study of the painter’s own presence rather than a narrative scene. By placing himself in conventional attire yet employing expressive color and brushstroke, the artist juxtaposes outward respectability with an inner psychological focus, inviting viewers to contemplate the tension between public persona and private feeling.
Technique & Style
Munch applies thick, gestural strokes to the facial features, allowing the paint’s texture to become part of the image’s emotional language. The palette combines muted darks with vivid accents—most notably the red tie—while the background’s blended hues suggest a post‑impressionist approach that emphasizes mood over precise representation.
History & Provenance
The portrait belongs to the collection of the Munch Museum in Oslo, where it has been displayed as part of the artist’s extensive self‑portrait series. Executed during a period when Munch was consolidating his expressive style, the painting reflects his ongoing exploration of personal identity through the medium of oil.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
