Celebrating the 150th anniversary of Edvard Munch’s birth.

Today marks the 150th anniversary of Edvard Munch’s (1863-1944) birth. A master of isolation, melancholy and anxiety, his works are amongst some of the most recognisable in art history.

Though primarily known as a painter, Edvard Munch’s graphic work is an integral part of his artistic oeuvre, and are the focus of two of our books – Edvard Munch Prints and Edvard Munch: Complete Graphic Works – revealing a relatively unexplored aspect of his work.

After the sensation of his 1892 Berlin exhibition, Munch’s graphic work was itself an important influence on twentieth-century art. Out of a total of 748 prints, the majority are etchings and lithographs, but Munch’s enduring influence came through colour woodcuts such as The Kiss, Melancholy and The Girls on the Bridge. These powerful and important works inspired a new fascination for woodcut among German Expressionist artists, and are among the finest prints of the twentieth century.

Below we have put together a little selection of Munch’s self-portraits, so do take a look.

Edvard Munch, Self-portrait, 1895, lithographic crayon, tusche and scraper, 45.5-46.2 x 31.5-32.4 cm, printed by Lassally, Nielsen.

Edvard Munch, Self-portrait Facing Left, 1912-13, woodcut with gouges, 44 x 35.3 cm, printed by the artist.

Edvard Munch, Self-Portrait in Backlight, 1930, lithographic crayon, tusche and scraper, 45 x 33.2 cm, printed by Nielsen.

Edvard Munch, Self-portrait in Moonlight, 1904-06, woodcut with gouges, 43.5 x 42 cm, printed by the artist.

Edvard Munch, Self-portrait, 1911-12, woodcut with gouges, 32 x 23.6 cm, printed by the artist.

Edvard Munch, Self-portrait in Shadow, 1912, lithographic crayon on paper, 31 x 27.5 cm, printed by Nielsen.

Edvard Munch, Self-portrait with a Cigar, 1908-1909, lithographic crayon on paper, 56.6 x 45.5 cm, printed at Dansk Reproduktionsasstalt.

Edvard Munch, Self-portrait with Hat I, 1927, lithographic crayon on paper, 20.2 x 18.5 cm, printed by Hagen.

Edvard Munch, Self-portrait with a Wine Bottle, 1930, lithographic crayon, 42 x 51.4 cm, printed by Nielsen, Hagen.

Further details about Edvard Munch Prints and Edvard Munch: Complete Graphic Works can be found over on our website.