Self-Portrait n.d.

Edvard Munch made this self-portrait with blue crayon on paper, though the exact date is unknown. Munch's work often grapples with the complexities of human emotion. In Norway, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there was a growing fascination with psychology. Munch was very attuned to the fin-de-siècle mood of his time, a mood he both reflected and influenced. His art was made during a time when artists were challenging academic conventions and exploring new modes of expression, such as symbolism and expressionism. Looking at this image, we see the artist presenting himself in a straightforward manner. It's a sketch, not a polished painting, which suggests a certain intimacy and honesty. He seems to be confronting the viewer directly. For a deeper understanding of Munch's artistic choices, scholars have researched his personal writings, the cultural context of Norway at the time, and exhibition history of his artworks. All these things can show how his art was both a product of and a commentary on the society in which he lived.