Plagued throughout his childhood with illness and loss, Edvard Munch (1863 – 1944) is known for paintings which attempt to illustrate the human psyche.  His works often express bleakness, melancholy, anxiety and torment (The Scream).  After recovering from a mental breakdown in 1909, his works, including The Sun, became more colorful and optimistic.

Learn more about Edvard Munch.

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Franz Xaver Messerschmidt (1736 –  1783) was a successful sculptor whose work was sought by the royal Viennese court.  In 1774 he lost his position at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna due to “confusion in the head”.  Modern scholars suggest Messerschmidt suffered from mental illness and Crohn’s diseases.  He dedicated his last years to creating over 60 Character Heads (many of them self portraits) expressing severe emotions and facial contortions.

More Character Heads by Franz Xaver Messerschmidt

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