The Scream
The Scream (1893) by Edvard Munch is one of the most iconic works in modern art, embodying the themes of Expressionism. Created using oil, tempera, and pastel on cardboard and measuring 91 cm × 73.5 cm, the painting represents an existential crisis witnessed by Munch during a walk in Oslo. His famous figure, with hands to its face, is engulfed by an eerie, red sky, symbolizing universal human anxiety. A central piece in his Frieze of Life series, The Scream has been widely reproduced and is housed in the National Gallery of Norway, Oslo.
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| Dimensions | Original: 91 cm × 73.5 cm, Small: 72.8 cm x 58.8 cm, Medium: 109.2 cm x 88.2 cm, Large: 127.4 cm x 102.9 cm |
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Price range: $276.00 through $696.00
Edvard Munch’s The Scream (1893) remains one of the most iconic and recognizable images in the history of modern art. It occupies a place of distinction alongside masterpieces such as Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night (1889), Pablo Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (1907), and Henri Matisse’s Red Studio (1911), marking the peak of modernist experimentation and innovation. As a work emblematic of Expressionism, The Scream revolutionized the depiction of human anxiety and internal struggle.
The painting’s significance stems from Munch’s evocative use of color and line, creating a fluidity reminiscent of Fauvism while also anticipating the Surrealist movement. The horizontal and vertical brushstrokes dynamically echo the intensity of the sky and the tumultuous emotions at play, resembling the swirling sky in van Gogh’s Starry Night.
The inspiration for The Scream emerged during a pivotal moment in Munch’s life. In 1892, the artist walked along a road overlooking the city of Oslo, possibly while departing or arriving at the mental hospital where his sister, Laura Catherine, had been committed. As Munch described, “I was walking down the road with two friends when the sun set; suddenly, the sky turned as red as blood. I stopped and leaned against the fence… shivering with fear. Then I heard the enormous, infinite scream of nature.”
The subject of anguish, as depicted in The Scream, conveys a sense of psychological vulnerability, a reflection of the artist’s own fears and existential doubts. The figure’s contorted face has come to symbolize universal human anxiety, a theme that would resonate deeply in the coming years as Europe faced industrialization, war, and the disillusionment of the early 20th century. Munch’s subject represents a voice crying out in the face of an indifferent and increasingly alienating world.
This piece is part of a series Munch titled Frieze of Life, exploring themes of love, life, and death. The Scream has been reproduced in multiple media, including pastel, oil, and lithographs, with several versions created by Munch during the 1890s and early 1900s. The painted version, which measures 91 cm × 73.5 cm, resides at the National Gallery of Norway in Oslo, while another is housed at the Munch Museum. The enduring legacy of The Scream reflects its universal appeal as a powerful expression of inner turmoil and human vulnerability.