Edvard Munch Portraits Exhibition Reveals a New Perspective on the Artist

The National Portrait Gallery's latest show highlights Munch's social connections and evolution as a portraitist, challenging his reputation as a solitary figure.

The exhibition, opening March 13 at the National Portrait Gallery in London, is the first in Britain to focus solely on Edvard Munch's portraiture.
Featuring over 40 works, the show traces Munch's artistic evolution, from naturalistic student pieces to vibrant, experimental late portraits.
The exhibition challenges the perception of Munch as a solitary, tormented artist, showcasing his social connections and relationships with friends, patrons, and bohemian networks.
Highlights include psychological portraits of figures like Hans Jaeger and Jappe Nilssen, as well as works that blend conventional portraiture with bold, expressionistic color.
Critics note the exhibition's emphasis on Munch's sociability but debate whether it fully captures the darker, more introspective aspects of his work.