Much’s The Scream mirrors contemporary fears. Even today, over a century later, the work embodies the anxieties and anguish that afflict contemporary man. The latest discovery, announced by the BBC, of ​​the secret writing found behind the painting lends the work added value. The Norwegian artist once again takes center stage and gives the infamous work a new meaning.
Munch’s ‘The Scream’: Secret Writing Discovered Behind Painting
Munch’s The Scream is the Norwegian artist’s most celebrated work, now housed in the National Museum in Oslo. Along a path leading to the town of Ekberg, an ectoplasm emits a piercing scream. A unique expression that has become a symbol of collective tragedy: first of the anguish highlighted by Sigmund Freud, then of the atrocities of the 20th century. Munch’s Scream represents fear and pain exacerbated to such a degree that the subject becomes deformed. Indeed, the protagonist has human features but is hairless and has a serpentine shape. He holds his head in his hands as he screams, expressing all the terror that is coursing through him. The contraction of his face and the dismay depicted in his gaze blend with the colors of the surrounding environment, which amplify the emotion.
Edward Munch screams at what he sees and perceives, at the abomination that pervades him. The scream is so intense that it distorts the path. It pervades the entire work, which illustrates a complete distortion of reality. While Munch’s scream shakes the path, two figures remain motionless in the work beyond the parapet. These are two people deaf to the upheaval experienced by the artist, representing the hypocrisy of human relationships. The colors of the background convey the artist’s restlessness: the oily black of the sea and the red of the sky mixed with the blood of the clouds.
The recent discovery behind the painting
Munch’s The Scream is once again in the international spotlight thanks to a sensational discovery just recently made public. Just a few weeks ago, the National Museum of Norway announced the discovery of a secret inscription on the back of the painting. It’s a phrase written by the painter himself, revealed using infrared technology. The phrase reads, “It could only have been painted by a madman.” This statement initially sparked various schools of thought regarding the attribution. The inscription, engraved in pencil in the upper left corner, has raised concerns not only among art critics but throughout the entire National Museum.
Based on tests and the implementation of new technologies, the attribution to the artist himself has been confirmed. Munch’s The Scream now has a further autobiographical connotation for its author, confirming his mental instability. Indeed, the use of infrared technology has allowed the handwriting to be compared with diaries and letters. This original painting today amplifies its message and once again represents humanity’s uneasiness. The torment and emotional instability revealed by the pandemic once again establishes Munch’s The Scream as an artistic and literary manifesto.
Since its exhibition in Oslo in 1893, the work has embodied human anxiety and interpreted the anguish of modern man. Indeed, the message has been repurposed several times throughout history as a symbol of unease, in addition to the reinterpretations proposed by other artists. Munch’s The Scream inspired horror films of the 1990s, and today it is used as an emoticon in social media.
Munch’s The Scream puzzle
Munch’s The Scream puzzle is among the most coveted avant-garde art puzzles. A thousand pieces are needed to assemble the work that made the Norwegian artist famous. The high quality of the image and materials give the puzzle an unprecedented value. Not to mention that the puzzle is suitable for framing and using as a decorative accessory. In a modern or classical setting, Munch’s The Scream is also a cultural and artistic manifesto.
The very creation of the puzzle itself leads to an emotional exploration. Putting the pieces together allows you to immerse yourself in the artist’s thoughts and participate in the anguish he portrays. The wide variety of colors and shapes will be a true puzzle. This way, everyone will be able to fully understand the painting’s plot and empathize with Edvard Munch.
The exhibition at the National Museum of Norway
Solving the puzzle of Munch’s The Scream also means delving into its historical context. In light of the recent discovery of the pencil inscription, the National Museum of Norway is turning its attention internationally. Today, Munch’s Scream once again symbolizes contemporary fears with its expressive power. The perennial feeling of anxiety is conveyed through the artist’s artistic power. Indeed, the Norwegian Museum has decided to focus on this representativeness for its 2022 inauguration.
The new Norwegian museum is scheduled for completion by that date, displaying all the collections currently scattered across other sites. In addition to Munch’s The Scream, “Madonna,” “The Dance of Life,” and “Self-Portrait with Cigarette” will also be on display. Indeed, the National Gallery in Oslo houses numerous modern art works, including a version of Edvard Munch’s The Scream, a version of Vincent van Gogh’s Self-Portrait, and works by El Greco, Auguste Renoir, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Pablo Picasso.
The discovered inscription, “Only a madman could have painted that picture,” emphasizes the upcoming opening of the National Museum of Norway. The museum’s director himself confirms that the work reveals new answers and perspectives over time. This is a prerogative destined to capture the attention of thousands of visitors to the new facility. In one fell swoop, the National Museum is betting on the building’s presentation and the opening of a room dedicated to the artist, where Munch’s Scream will take center stage.
