The Painting:
* Title: The official title is "The Scream" (Norwegian: "Skrik"), though Munch himself called it "The Scream of Nature".
* Medium: Tempera, casein, and pastel on cardboard.
* Dimensions: 91 x 73.5 cm (35.8 x 28.9 in)
* Versions: There are four versions of the painting: two are in the National Gallery of Norway, one in the Munch Museum (Oslo), and one in a private collection.
* Inspiration: The painting was inspired by Munch's own experience of a "terrible anxiety" while walking on a path with two friends. He described seeing "the sky turn blood red" and feeling a "great scream passing through nature".
* Symbolism: The Scream is a potent symbol of anxiety, isolation, and the human condition. It's interpreted as representing the feeling of alienation in modern society, the terror of the unknown, and the fragility of existence.
The Artist:
* Artist: Edvard Munch, a Norwegian symbolist painter.
* Date Created: 1893
* Context: Created during a period of intense personal struggles for Munch, including the deaths of his mother, sister, and fiancée.
* Impact: The Scream became one of the most iconic and recognizable artworks of the 20th century, influencing countless artists and cultural phenomena.
Other Interesting Facts:
* "The Scream" was stolen in 2004: Two masked thieves entered the Munch Museum in Oslo and stole both "The Scream" and "Madonna", another famous Munch painting. They were recovered two years later.
* "The Scream" is not a single figure: While the painting is commonly called "The Scream," it actually depicts a figure surrounded by other people, creating a sense of isolation and detachment.
* The background is a bridge: The bridge in the background is the Oslofjord Bridge, a real structure that was built in 1893, the same year the painting was created.
Beyond the painting, "The Scream" has become a cultural icon appearing in movies, music videos, and pop culture references. It serves as a potent visual representation of fear, anxiety, and the human experience.