Self Portrait with Hat I

Self Portrait with Hat I by Edvard Munch is a powerful self-examination executed as a lithograph in 1927. This late-career print reflects the ongoing preoccupation of the Norwegian master with themes of identity, aging, and introspection, a subject he explored relentlessly throughout his life. Unlike his emotionally saturated paintings from earlier periods, this work, one of several self-portraits created utilizing the medium of prints, relies solely on the stark contrast of black and white to convey psychological depth and texture. The economy of line inherent in the lithographic technique amplifies the immediacy of the subject’s expression.

Munch portrays himself wearing a broad-brimmed hat, an accessory that casts deep shadows over the upper part of the face, drawing the viewer's attention to the direct gaze of the eyes and the tight compression of the mouth. The composition is highly concentrated, allowing the figure to dominate the frame. While the medium requires precision, Munch renders the facial features with agitated, scrawling lines and cross-hatched markings characteristic of his unique expressionist approach. This technique effectively translates the subjective urgency of his vision into the high-contrast demands of the lithographic process. The darkness surrounding the figure further emphasizes the sense of isolation commonly explored in Munch’s work from the mid-1920s.

Created near the end of the Norwegian artist’s prolific output, this piece testifies to Munch’s continuing formal innovation and his command of printmaking as a primary vehicle for expression. The enduring artistic importance of this specific 1927 lithograph ensures that high-quality images and information concerning the artist's prints are widely studied. The original impression of Self Portrait with Hat I is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), recognizing its significance within the history of modern printmaking.