Portrait of August Strindberg

The Portrait of August Strindberg is a significant lithograph created by the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch in 1896. This essential print is not only a powerful example of early Expressionism but also a critical study of one of Munch’s most famous contemporaries, the influential Swedish playwright and novelist August Strindberg. Created using the exacting process of lithography, the work showcases stark contrast and defined, sometimes unsettling lines, establishing the brooding intensity that characterizes the subject. Munch, a towering figure in modern art, produced this portrait during a crucial period of his career when he was intensely focused on graphic arts and the dramatic possibilities afforded by high-contrast black and white mediums.

The image captures Strindberg in a tightly cropped, almost confrontational manner, emphasizing his psychological complexity rather than mere physical likeness. Munch rendered the playwright's face using agitated lines, a style characteristic of the Expressionist movement, arguably mirroring the turbulent relationship the two intellectual giants shared during their time in the artistic circles of Berlin. Both artists deeply influenced the philosophical and cultural landscape of the Norwegian and wider Scandinavian artistic scene of the late 19th century. This specific depiction, completed in 1896, reinforced Munch’s belief that graphic prints could convey the same emotional and psychological depth as his famous paintings.

As an important example of Munch’s mastery of the print medium, this piece is permanently classified as a lithograph. It resides within the esteemed collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), where it serves as a central reference point for studies of Symbolist and Expressionist graphic art from the fin-de-siècle. While the original remains preserved in the MoMA collection, high-quality images of this seminal Norwegian work are frequently made available through public domain initiatives and specialized art reference websites, ensuring its continued study by scholars globally.