Thoughts on 'The Scream' by Edvard Munch

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Dear Reader,

In this episode I would like to take a look at Edvard Munch’s painting ‘The Scream’. It is a simple yet disturbing painting created in 1893, considered to be the artists’ masterpiece. I am by no means well versed as an art critic, however with my limited knowledge I shall give my thoughts and appreciation in this episode.

Now, the painting…

 

 

Better resolution image here: https://www.edvardmunch.org/the-scream.jsp

      Browsing through few pages of the internet, I found the story behind the painting interesting. Here’s notes from the diary of the artist dated 22 January 1892.

“The sun was setting and the clouds turned as red as blood. I sensed a scream passing through nature. I felt as though I could actually hear the scream. I painted this picture, painted the clouds like real blood. The colors shrieked.”

 

    Several theories suggest the inspiration behind the painting, from the orange tainted sky owing to the volcanic eruption of Krakatoa to the degrading mental health of his sister, who was admitted at a nearby asylum.

Now onto the painting dear reader.

       We are introduced to a man standing on a pier with hands on his face, appearing extremely nervous or anxious about something that has happened or is happening. Although the cause of this anxiety is not visible, it should be noted how unnerving his appearance is. The Scream is considered to be an expressionist painting relying on its subjective feeling of the audience to produce its emotions.

 

      We see two figures in the background of our traumatized man. Could they be the reason of our man’s fear? The surrealist nature of the painting creates a feeling of uncertainty for us unexpecting audience. The artist does not even give the safety and comfort of straight lines for our protagonist!

 

     The ocean twists and curls itself like a serpent around our protagonist as he spirals down in his fears. And yes, the extremely orange skies are not of much help either. It is almost as though the landscape has become the entity of horror itself that envelops the protagonist, that seems to be beyond anyone’s control.

 

     The reason I wanted to talk about this painting, apart from its artistic merits is the emotions that it provokes. When you look down at the painting, sure you are provoked and disturbed by its nature. However, as you keep observing, you realise that it reflects not the fear of our protagonist, but the fear of the audience, us. The painting is a mirror into our deepest darkest fears, the ones we choose to hide or ignore. The primal fears of the unknown, death, isolation and even the fear of a life without purpose, the list is endless. The art never ceases to amuse me.

 

    Before I end, I have to mention the film series scream, whose antagonist is known for his creepy Halloween mask. Whether it is by design or chance, one cannot ignore the similarities between his mask and our man in the painting.

 

How does this painting make you feel? Let me know in the comments.

Until next time…

Lan

 

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