Self-Portrait

Munch made self-portraiture an important aspect of his art. He painted his first self-portrait in 1882, the last in 1943 (Woll 2008, M 47; M 1789). This example is from a period when Munch painted many portraits. Exhibitions and commissions, not least for portraits, made Germany an important place to be in the years after 1900. Munch's acquaintances included a number of prominent art collectors and cultural figures. He painted portraits of, among others, the art collectors Max Linde and Hanni and Herbert Esche, and he was part of the circle of artists, writers, and architects associated with the art collector Harry Graf Kessler. These were wealthy, influential people with international contacts.

"Here I associate with, e.g. Counts and Barons -- and I constantly have to wear tails and a frock coat," Munch wrote to his Aunt Karen (1904, emunch.no: MM N 870). His appearance in Self-Portrait may indicate that he wanted to make a good impression in this company. The white starched collar stands out as a highlight in the picture. The artist has pictured himself against a yellowish-orange background that exploits the colour of the cardboard. The use of watercolours contributes to the picture's fluid, translucent quality. The portrait shows an earnest and sophisticated man.

The painting was first exhibited at the Commeter'sche Kunsthandlung in Hamburg in 1906 and later in the major 1927 exhibition at the National Gallery. At the former it was listed as no. 122, with the title Selbstporträt (Klein). It was sold in March 1906, probably to a friend of Munch's (emunch.no: MM K 3840). It would appear that the National Gallery bought the painting in Germany in 1921, but it is not known where or from whom. In recent years, the image has acquired an alternative title, Self-Portrait with Moustache and Starched Collar (Woll 2008, M 649).

Wenche Volle

The text was first published in Edvard Munch in the National Museum. A comprehensive overview (Oslo: National Museum, 2022).

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