Self-Portrait in Moonlight (1904–1906)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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This artwork, "Self-Portrait in Moonlight" by Edvard Munch, reveals a contemplative and somewhat unsettling depiction of the artist himself. Set in a nocturnal scene, Munch employs a stark contrast of deep blues and stark black tones to establish a mysterious, nighttime ambience. The scene features Munch standing outdoors under the glow of the moonlight, which subtly illuminates his face and figure.Munch's expression appears somber and introspective, reflecting a gaze that seems to look both outward and inward. This introspection is heightened by the surrounding elements—the dark, willowy shapes that may be trees swaying in the night air, a suggestive window on the left, and abstract forms resembling flying papers or leaves scattered in the moonlit sky.The textures and brushstrokes convey a sense of emotional turbulence and depth, a characteristic often found in Munch's work. The subdued color palette dominated by cool blues evokes a sense of loneliness and perhaps melancholy, suggesting a deep engagement with personal emotions and existential themes. This self-portrait not only captures Munch's physical likeness but also echoes his perpetual exploration of psychological and emotional landscapes.
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Edvard Munch (12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter. His best known work, The Scream (1893), has become one of Western art's most iconic images.
His childhood was overshadowed by illness, bereavement and the dread of inheriting a mental condition that ran in the family. Studying at the Royal School of Art and Design in Kristiania (today's Oslo), Munch began to live a bohemian life under the influence of the nihilist Hans Jæger, who urged him to paint his own emotional and psychological state ('soul painting'); from this emerged his distinctive style.