The Morning after. Self-portrait

The Morning after, Self-portrait

This self-portrait by Christian Krohg (1852-1925) is a witty little gem in Anchers Hus. A picture has seldom communicated its subject matter so eloquently. The portrait shows the downside of one of the many artists’ get-togethers, where champagne occasionally flowed freely, and where nobody thought much about the next day. The artist’s face is almost green as he holds his temples gingerly, while his eyes roll up, revealing the whites. One can’t help but feel for him as he seems to think out loud “never again!”. Viewers may be reminded of the Norwegian painter Edvard Munch (1863-1944) and his famous painting, The Scream of 1893. Krohg seems to anticipate Munch’s expressive brushstrokes, and there is a striking similarity between the two works. The artists had shared a workshop in Oslo in 1882, where Krohg had acted as a mentor for Munch.

1852 - 1925