If you’re an avid art fan, you’ve most likely crossed paths with the infamous painting titled “The Scream” by Edvard Munch. It’s known to be part of some of the most iconic pictures in Western art and culture. The picture depicts a skull-like, humanoid head, eyes the size of saucers, flared out nostrils, and most notably— a large mouth, seeming to scream to the audience. The swirling style of the artwork seems to pull the viewer with its fiery yellow and orange sunset.
Theft History
Like many other infamous paintings, the piece was no exception to theft and destruction. The painting was stolen from the National Gallery in Oslo, Norway, on February 12, 1994. Two men had broken into the gallery and stolen the painting by smashing a second story window and grabbing it. The painting was stolen in under a minute. Thankfully, the painting was found on May 7th, 1994, by the Norwegian police. All criminals involved were caught, but all charges were dropped.
Why Is He Screaming?
The truth is, the man was never screaming. Edvard Munch claims that the painting was trying to block out the scream of nature. Munch wanted to capture an emotion in the moment. He left a German inscription at the bottom of the 1895 print that says, “I felt a large scream pass through nature.” "The Scream" is an extreme and beautiful representation of Edvard Munch’s mental health, which led him to hospitalization in 1908.
How "The Scream" Is Still Relevant Today
Today, the painting is considered to be a symbol and inspiration for expressionism. The painting is seen by many as a symbol of anxiety. Overall, the painting has shaped today’s views on anxiety and feeling abnormal. It continues to be significant in pop culture and even has its own emoji inspired by it. It will continue to impact future generations and will always be relatable to millions—reminding us it’s ok to be anxious, stressed, and wanting to scream.
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