Self-Portrait with Cigarette 1895

Edvard Munch painted this arresting self-portrait with oil on canvas, a traditional choice of materials for a fine artist at the time. Yet, the way he applies the paint moves beyond tradition. The loose brushwork and somber palette create an atmosphere of introspection, even unease. Look at the materiality of the paint itself; the way Munch layers and blends the colors to create depth and shadow. Notice how he coaxes the qualities of texture, weight, color and form to emphasize the play of light and shadow on his face. Of course, we can't ignore the cigarette, which serves as a potent symbol, referencing a life lived, but also death and decay. The puff of smoke almost obscures Munch's form, as if to suggest that something is fading or being obscured. He uses these materials and motifs to challenge the viewer's perception, pushing beyond conventional portraiture into the realm of emotional expression.