Self-Portrait in the Garden, Ekely 1942

"Self-Portrait in the Garden, Ekely" was painted by Edvard Munch at some point after he acquired the property in Ekely in 1916. Munch lived a long and productive life, but it was also marked by intense personal struggles with mental health. In this composition, Munch depicts himself as a solitary figure in his garden. The vibrant, expressive brushstrokes and somewhat unsettling color palette convey a sense of the artist’s internal state. The setting becomes a stage for the artist’s exploration of his own identity. He appears somewhat spectral, as though he is haunting the grounds. Munch once said, "I painted them with my lifeblood." His works were intensely personal, reflecting on his innermost feelings. "Self-Portrait in the Garden, Ekely" serves as a testament to Munch's enduring legacy. The painting invites us to reflect on our own experiences of selfhood, memory, and mortality.