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Student Artwork Guide

Self-Portrait

Edvard Munch, 1881

Name Class Date
Edvard Munch, Self-Portrait (1881). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Edvard Munch originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/edvard-munch/
Artist’s dates
1863 – 1944
Painted
1881
Medium
Acrylic On Canvas
Movement
Figurative Expressionism Colour and shape deliberately distorted so the picture shows an emotion rather than a likeness.
Period
Modern
Artistic style
Figurative Expressionism
Influences
Nietzsche, Symbolism
Notable elements
Distorted features
Subject or theme
Self-portraiture

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Edvard Munch died in 1944; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2014.

Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 23, 2026

Self-Portrait — Edvard Munch Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Self-Portrait — Edvard Munch

When was this painted?

  1. 1860
  2. 1870
  3. 1880
  4. 1890
  5. 1900
  6. 1910
  7. 1920
  8. 1930
  9. 1940

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 81 at death.

Painted when the artist was 18. The artist lived to 81. 0 of the 410 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Edvard Munch (1863–1944) ▲ this work, 1881 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1893 Main working years: 1893–1908 Late works: from 1908

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

  • The Scream, 1893 originaluniqueart.com/en/art/edvard-munch-the-scream-8XXU48-en/
  • Melancholy, 1894 originaluniqueart.com/en/art/edvard-munch-melancholy-8XXU3N-en/
  • Madonna, 1894 originaluniqueart.com/en/art/edvard-munch-madonna-8YDETZ-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/edvard-munch-self-portrait-6WHK7H-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Black #15120f

    Catalogued palette

    • #15120F
    • #AFA187
    • #8D6939
    • #503B24

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Black
    Intensity
    Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Gentle How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Unified Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Deep_shadow How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Edvard Munch over the last twelve months — 87 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 24.4%
    2. 2 Spain 14.4%
    3. 3 France 8.7%
    4. 4 United States of America 5.9%
    5. 5 Singapore 4.2%
    6. 6 Hong Kong 4.1%
    7. 7 Italy 3.6%
    8. 8 Brazil 3.2%
    9. 9 Japan 2.4%
    10. 10 Germany 1.8%
    11. · 77 other countries 27.3%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Edvard Munch

    1. 1 The Scream, 1893 27.9%
    2. 2 Madonna, 1894 7.7%
    3. 3 Melancholy, 1894 6.5%
    4. 4 Near the bed of death (fever), 1915 2.0%
    5. 5 The Child and Death, 1899 1.8%
    6. 6 Kiss, 1897 1.3%
    7. 7 Ashes, 1894 1.1%
    8. 8 Girls on the Pier, 1904 1.0%
    9. 9 Christmas in the Brothel, 1905 0.9%
    10. 10 The Day After, 1895 0.9%
    11. 11 Jealousy, 1895 0.9%
    12. 12 The Girls on the Bridge, 1901 0.8%
    13. 13 The Dance of Life, 1899 0.7%
    14. 14 Madonna, 1894 0.7%
    15. 15 Self-Portrait, 1895 0.6%
    16. 16 Man and Woman I, 1905 0.5%
    17. 17 Jealousy, 1907 0.5%
    18. 18 To the Forest, 1897 0.5%
    19. 19 Cree (casein on cardboard) 2, 1893 0.5%
    20. 118 Self-Portrait, 1881 this painting 0.2%

    Together these works take 57.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 629 works by this artist, of which 472 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 118 of them, with 0.2% of that attention. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 23, 2026

    Self-Portrait — Edvard Munch Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    Self-Portrait — Edvard Munch

    Introduction to Expressionism and Figurative Expressionism

    Expressionism is a modernist movement that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by its emphasis on emotional experience and subjective interpretation. The movement encompassed various artistic styles, including painting, sculpture, literature, music, and theater. In this article, we will focus on the art of painting and explore the Figurative Expressionism style, which is best exemplified by the Self-Portrait by Edvard Munch.

    Edvard Munch: The Artist Behind the Painting

    Edvard Munch (1863-1944) was a Norwegian painter who is best known for his painting "The Scream." He was a pioneer of Expressionism and is considered one of its most important representatives. Munch's work is characterized by its emotional intensity, bold use of color, and distorted forms.

    Self-Portrait: A Masterpiece of Expressionism

    The Self-Portrait was created in 1881 when Munch was just 18 years old. The painting is a remarkable example of Figurative Expressionism, as it presents the world solely from a subjective perspective and distorts physical reality for emotional effect. In this self-portrait, Munch portrays himself with a serious expression, staring directly at the viewer. The background is blurred, drawing attention to the artist's face and emphasizing his emotional state.

    The Legacy of Edvard Munch and Expressionism

    Munch's work has had a profound impact on the art world and continues to be celebrated today. His paintings are held in museums around the world, including the Munch Museum in Oslo, Norway. The Self-Portrait is one of Munch's most famous works and serves as an excellent example of Figurative Expressionism.

    Conclusion

    Expressionism is a modernist movement that emerged in the early 20th century and encompassed various artistic styles, including painting, sculpture, literature, music, and theater. The Self-Portrait by Edvard Munch is an excellent example of Figurative Expressionism, as it presents the world solely from a subjective perspective and distorts physical reality for emotional effect. Munch's work has had a profound impact on the art world and continues to be celebrated today. Discover more about Edvard Munch and his masterpieces on our website:

    Painting by 'Edvard Munch' | Edvard Munch:Landscape, maridalen about Oslo (Expressionism,)

    Painting by 'Edvard Munch' | Edvard Munch:The old church of Aker (Expressionism,)

    Painting by 'Edvard Munch' | Edvard Munch:The Kiss (Expressionism,)

    Painting by 'Edvard Munch' | Edvard Munch:02 Self-Portrait (Expressionism,)

    Explore more about Expressionism and Figurative Expressionism on our website:

    Figurative Expressionism Art Movement

    The Abstract Expressionism Art Movement

    Discover more about the Top 5 Famous Expressionism Paintings of All Time on our website:Top 5 Famous Expressionism Paintings of All Time

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 23, 2026

    Self-Portrait — Edvard Munch Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Edvard Munch

    Born in Adelsbruk, Sweden

    A Life Shaped by Loss

    Edvard Munch arrived in the world in 1863, born into the stark landscapes of Norway. His early years were defined by a heavy presence of grief that would later find its way onto his canvases. The deaths of his mother and his sister, Sophie, both taken by tuberculosis, left a deep mark on his young mind. These losses created a preoccupation with mortality and the fragility of life that stayed with him forever. He grew up in a household where the shadows of sickness were never far away.

    His father, Christian, was a physician who struggled with intense religious devotion and mental instability. This atmosphere of dread and the vivid ghost stories told in his childhood helped shape his later visions. Munch did not merely paint what he saw; he sought to externalize his internal state. He called this approach soul painting. It was a way to translate psychological distress into visual form, using the colors and shapes of his own experience.

    The Path to Expressionism

    Munch began his formal studies at the Royal School of Art and Design in Kristiania, which is now known as Oslo. During this time, he moved within bohemian circles that challenged the strict rules of academic art. A significant influence was Hans Jæger, a nihilist who encouraged Munch to abandon conventional styles and instead focus on his own subjective emotions. This shift led him toward the development of Expressionism.

    Travels through Europe brought new perspectives to his work. In Paris, he encountered the techniques of artists like Paul Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh, particularly their use of color. In Berlin, his connections with figures such as August Strindberg further pushed his investigations into psychological themes. He began to move away from naturalistic representation, opting instead for distorted forms and rhythmic lines that could communicate the tremors of human existence.

    Themes and Lasting Impact

    Much of his work belongs to a series he called The Frieze of Life, where he explored the recurring cycles of love, fear, death, and anxiety. Some of his most recognized paintings include:

    The Scream: A work from 1893 that uses swirling, fiery landscapes to represent existential dread.

    Madonna: A piece that explores themes of sexuality and mortality.

    The Sick Child: A poignant reminder of the loss of his sister.

    Puberty: An exploration of the physical and psychological changes of youth.

    Munch was a highly active printmaker, using techniques like etching, lithography, and woodcut to expand his reach. He possessed over one thousand paintings at the time of his death in 1944. His ability to confront the darker aspects of the human condition helped pave the way for later movements like German Expressionism. Today, much of his legacy is preserved in the Munch Museum in Oslo, where his work continues to speak to the complexities of the human psyche.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Self-Portrait

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/edvard-munch-self-portrait-6WHK7H-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Munch, Edvard. Self-Portrait. 1881, https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/edvard-munch-self-portrait-6WHK7H-en/
    APA
    Munch, Edvard (1881). Self-Portrait [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/edvard-munch-self-portrait-6WHK7H-en/
    Chicago
    Edvard Munch. Self-Portrait. 1881. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/edvard-munch-self-portrait-6WHK7H-en/
    Harvard
    Munch, Edvard (1881) Self-Portrait. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/edvard-munch-self-portrait-6WHK7H-en/

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 23, 2026

    Self-Portrait — Edvard Munch Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Self-Portrait — Edvard Munch

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: self-portrait, expressionism, munch. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at The Scream (1893), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Figurative Expressionism: Colour and shape deliberately distorted so the picture shows an emotion rather than a likeness. Where can you see that in this work?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 23, 2026

    Self-Portrait — Edvard Munch Part 5 · Look closely

    Art quiz

    Self-Portrait — Edvard Munch

    How well do you know this artwork?

    Tick one answer for each of the 5 questions below. Each has exactly one correct answer.

    1. 1. What artistic movement is Edvard Munch primarily associated with?

      • A Impressionism
      • B Expressionism
      • C Cubism

    2. 2. In the Self-Portrait, what is emphasized to draw attention away from the artist's face?

      • A The background details
      • B The hands
      • C The blurred features

    3. 3. What year was Edvard Munch’s Self-Portrait created?

      • A 1880
      • B 1882
      • C 1890

    4. 4. The photograph of the man’s face in the Self-Portrait depicts him wearing a tie. What does this detail suggest about his status or personality?

      • A He is a wealthy businessman.
      • B He is a student or young professional.
      • C It's simply an arbitrary detail of clothing.

    5. 5. Which museum houses Edvard Munch’s Self-Portrait?

      • A The Louvre Museum
      • B The Munch Museum
      • C The Metropolitan Museum of Art

    My score: ____ out of 5

    Answer key — for the teacher

    This starts a fresh printed page, so it can simply be left out of the copies.

    1A · 2A · 3B · 4B · 5B

    Check any answer against the catalogue record for this painting

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 23, 2026

    Self-Portrait — Edvard Munch Part 6 · Art quiz

    Questions & Answers

    Where does "Self-Portrait" by Edvard Munch sit in art history?

    The art-historical classification of "Self-Portrait" by Edvard Munch is Figurative Expressionism, in the Modern period.

    Can I use augmented reality to see "Self-Portrait" by Edvard Munch in my room?

    "Self-Portrait" by Edvard Munch can be previewed on your own wall with the artwork's AR Preview page, using augmented reality on a compatible device.

    In what period was "Self-Portrait" by Edvard Munch made?

    "Self-Portrait" belongs to the Modern era.