Study of a Head

The painting is Munch's first work to be accepted for an exhibition. It was shown at "Den norske Industri- og Kunstudstilling" (The Norwegian Industry and Art Exhibition) in Kristiania in 1883. Its subject puts it in a group of small portrait studies from the years 1882--85. This consists of nearly twenty pictures of identified and unidentified persons. It is unknown who the model is in this case. In a review of the exhibition in the newspaper Dagbladet, the correspondent wrote about the painting: "The very young Edv. Munch has contributed a Study of a Head. It is highly reminiscent of Hans Heyerdahl, but also shows a streak of independence. A young woman, red-haired, narrow-eyed and unattractive, yet distinctive and alive. The skin and the various lighting effects are the best aspects of the picture, indeed there is something truly excellent in the treatment of the skin." (Dagbladet, 12 July 1883). Many years later, in a letter to Jens Thiis from the 1930s, Munch mentions the picture and confirms that Heyerdahl was a source of inspiration: "The study of a women (Dedichen) was painted after I took corrections from Krohg. It is however quite unlike Krohg. More like Heyerdahl." (emunch.no: MM N 3111).

The exhibition was also reviewed in Bergens Tidende, although without any specific mention of the painting. On the other hand, the critic expressed dismay at the number of young, immature artists who had been included: "Amateurishness -- or examples, at least, of the novice-student stage -- are spread across the walls; this is not to say that the young, or more precisely, the youngest, should be excluded from such company; but it is a sad sight when they dominate in an art exhibition of this kind." (Bergens Tidende, 30 July 1883). It is probable that the author is alluding here to Munch and his young "fellow painters", who were well represented in the exhibition.

It must have been motivating for a nineteen-year-old to be able to exhibit along- side established artists such as Frits Thaulow, Gerhard Munthe, Eilif Peterssen and Asta Nørregaard. This was the first official endorsement of Munch's talent -- and in December of the same year he made his debut at the National Annual Autumn Exhibition.

Purchased in 1964, Study of a Head is the most recent addition of a Munch painting to the National Museum's collection.

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

• Hansen, Vibeke Waallann, et al. Edvard Munch i Nasjonalmuseet: en samlet oversikt. Redigert av Ustvedt, Øystein, et al. Oslo: Nasjonalmuseet, 2022. kat.nr. 4.
• Mørstad, Erik. «Edvard Munch: formative år 1874-1892. Norske og franske impulser». Universitetet i Oslo, 2016. 121.
• Marcellàn, Clara. «Munch before the Mirror: A Biography», i «Edvard Munch. Archetypes», utstillingskatalog, 2015. 208.
• Nielsen, Trine Otte Bak. «Vigeland + Munch. Bak mytene», i «Vigeland + Munch. Bak mytene», utstillingskatalog, 2015. 23.
• Malmanger, Magne. «En ung norsk maler», i «Munch og malervennene på Modum», utstillingskatalog, 2013. 167, 182.
• Woll, Gerd. Edvard Munch: Samlede malerier: B. 1: 1880-1897. Oslo: Cappelen Damm, 2008. kat.nr.98
• Bjerke, Øivind Storm. «Stil og teknikk som strategiske virkemidler innenfor ‘Mellomgenerasjonen’ 1882-86», i «Munch blir ‘Munch’. Kunstneriske strategier 1880-1892», utstillingskatalog, 2008. 41.
• Næss, Atle. Munch. En biografi. Oslo: Gyldendal, 2004. 50.
• Nasjonalgalleriet, red. Norske malerier. Katalog. Oslo, 1992. 335.
• Eggum, Arne. Edvard Munch: malerier, skisser og studier. Oslo: Stenersen, 1983. 32.
• Thue, Oscar. «Edvard Munch og Christian Krohg». Kunst og kultur, nr. 4 (1973). 243.
• Nasjonalgalleriet, red. Katalog over norsk malerkunst: med 158 illustrasjoner. Oslo, 1968. kat.nr. 1261.
• Langaard, Ingrid Lindbäck. Edvard Munch. Modningsår. En studie i tidlig ekspresjonisme og symbolisme. Oslo: Gyldendal, 1960. 11, 13.
• Thiis, Jens. Edvard Munch og hans samtid: Slekten, livet og kunsten, geniet. Oslo: Gyldendal, 1933. 87.