Munch by Himself

Best known for his iconic painting The Scream, the celebrated Norwegian painter and printmaker Edvard Munch (1863-1944) had the greatest impact on Expressionism of any Scandinavian artist. His intense, evocative treatment of psychological and emotional themes exerted a major influence on the art of the entire 20th century. Often biographical, his work offers a fascinating insight into the psyche of an artist. No artist observed and painted himself throughout his life as frequently as Munch, and few have revealed their weaknesses and anxieties as frankly.

This handsome volume, which accompanies a major traveling exhibition, contains beautiful reproductions of 150 paintings, drawings, and rarely seen photographic self-portraits of startling originality. The texts set them in the context of the artist's life and career, and also examine how many of Munch's preoccupations remain relevant today. AUTHOR BIO: Iris Müller-Westermann is a curator of international art at the Moderna Museet, Stockholm, and a Munch specialist.