Portrait of Sigbjørn Obstfelder

The Portrait of Sigbjørn Obstfelder by Edvard Munch is a powerful graphic work created in 1897, utilizing the demanding techniques of etching and drypoint. This print exemplifies Munch’s profound engagement with the graphic arts during a highly productive phase of his career. As a classification of prints, the medium allowed the Norwegian artist to explore stark contrasts and psychological depth, moving away from the more colorful and large-scale Symbolist paintings of the same decade.

The subject, Sigbjørn Obstfelder (1866-1900), was a celebrated Norwegian poet and writer closely aligned with the Symbolist movement. Munch’s depictions of Obstfelder often capture the poet’s intensity and melancholy, themes central to the fin-de-siècle sensibility shared by both men. Munch employs heavy line work and deep shadow, characteristic of the drypoint process, to emphasize the sitter's introspective gaze and the isolation that defined much of Obstfelder’s poetry. Rather than depicting a standard formal portrait, the work serves primarily as a psychological study, reflecting Munch’s characteristic concern with interior emotional states over external realism.

This piece is historically significant because it illustrates Munch’s dedication to producing high-quality graphic works in 1897. Munch’s mastery of the needle and acid resulted in a deeply expressive image, securing his place as a pioneer of modern printmaking. While many of Munch’s later works remain under copyright restrictions, earlier prints such as this are highly valued by academics and institutions, with some versions entering the public domain. This particular impression is housed in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), recognizing its importance within the canon of modern Norwegian art and graphic expression.