Edvard Munch’s iconic painting, The Scream, is a modern-day masterpiece that has transcended the realms of art to become a symbol of universal existential angst.
Created in 1893, this expressionist painting has captured the imaginations of art enthusiasts and scholars alike, sparking numerous interpretations and discussions about the nature of human emotions.
Theft of The Scream
The Munch Museum is very lucky to have The Scream. Along with the Madonna, they were stolen in August 2004 by masked gunmen. Reward money was offered, people went on trial, but nothing was found. Then surprisingly, in early 2006 the paintings were recovered.
Details of how the paintings were recovered have never been disclosed, but six men were convicted for their involvement in the robbery. I mean, it’s pretty dumb to steal such famous paintings in the first place. Everyone would know that they had been stolen, rendering them almost impossible to sell.
It’s considered quite a miracle that they were even found. It’s expected in these kind of situations that the paintings would have been burnt to hide any evidence.
As a consequence of the robbery, the museum was closed for 10 months to heighten up their security. Now, as you walk into the museum – guards, surveillance cameras and lockers are all part of the entry process. You can’t blame them, eh?
The Madonna and The Scream by Edvard Munch are now reunited back to their rightful place – The Munch Museum in Oslo.
Interpreting the Emotion
Few paintings have caught the attention of the observer more than The Scream.
A zombie-like figure on a bridge, holds his head in his hands and screams. Even more precisely, the reader imagines the sound of the scream.
The painting can be viewed in many contexts to enrich the painting merely from just its brush strokes. Some people say it is about global warming, and defines the horrifying moment when man realises his impact on nature, while others describe it as the alienation of man in the modern world.
Personally, I am more swayed to the latter, but I think both stand, and are still relevant today – perhaps now more than ever. In this sense, Munch’s work feels eternal and speaks to the powerful dialogue between art and society.
Through his art, Munch tried to depict the absurd nature of the Human Existence.
The Scream in popular culture
The image has been replicated and parodied so many times on cigarette tins, coasters, and posters, that it’s become ingrained in our subconscious.
The most famous parody came from the 1990’s blockbuster Home Alone. Everyone fell in love with the young Macaulay Culkin abandoned at home, trying to outwit a couple of knucklehead thieves.
So after seeing The Scream so many times in print, and knowing about its theft, it was amazing to see the real McCoy. I stood in front of it studying the whirls of lurid colour encased a simple gold frame. It was easily one of the highlights to my trip to Oslo.
The director of Home Alone capitalises upon the success for Edvard Munch’s The Scream.
The Munch Museum opened in 1963 to celebrate the artist’s centenary. It houses the largest body of his work in the world, including over 1000 paintings.
The National Gallery in Oslo also contains some of his work, but for those who want a closer insight into Munch’s life and art then this museum is not to be missed.
Munch Museum reopens
It’s worth noting that I visited the old museum – since 2021 the collection has been permanently moved to a new location and building. This building is supposedly even more impressive, both in size and architecturally speaking.
Elsewhere in the museum Edvard Munch pays homage to one of the father’s of Existentialism, Friedrich Nietzsche.
In retrospect, I wish I hadn’t stood in with the painting now. Nobody needs to see me, so I’m sorry for gate-crashing Nietzsche. (Though in a world of AI generated content, at least you know that I’ve actually visited and I’m speaking from my own personal experiences!)
Munch Museum information
In 2021 the museum reopened in a newly built premise at Bjørvika near the Oslo Opera House overlooking the fjord.
Address: Edvard Munchs Plass 1, 0194 Oslo, Norway
Opening times: Sunday – Wednesday: 10 am until 6 pm. Thursday – Sunday: 10 am until 9 pm
Website: For up-to-date information and tickets, visit there website: www.munchmuseet.no/en/
Also read: Norwegian Sky and Oslo Opera House | Visiting Norway? Take a look at my Norway archives for more tips and inspiration on things to do and see.
7 responses
How cool to have seen the real Scream in person. It has such an interesting history too. That’s quite a long time to close the museum. Beautiful quote on your last picture.
I was shocked when I heard the museum was closed for that length of time! Yes I always feel lucky when I’m standing among works of such cultural significance.
I love that painting. I bought a replica of The Scream in 2005 for my living room, and told people it was the real thing. I was gutted when the original was found!
Oh dear, it’s resurgence must have wreaked havoc upon your porky pie!
Justice triumphed!
Ha ha. Really loving the comparison between Macauley Caulkin in Home Alone and Edvard Munch’s The Scream! Good eye, there. Ha!
It’s uncanny, right?! Just checked out your site and enjoyed reading the article on Edvard Munch, in fact there are many interesting articles on your site so I’ll be reading more. Thanks for commenting!
Thank you! You’re a really great photographer, by the way. You’ve been so many places, it’s really inspiring. Keep traveling.