Edvard Munch
Today, it is time for something special—one of the most iconic paintings of art history, symbolizing the anxiety of the human condition.
Munch recalled that he had been out for a walk at sunset when the setting sun's light turned the clouds "a blood red." He sensed an "infinite scream passing through nature." Scholars have identified the spot as a fjord overlooking Oslo and have suggested various explanations for the unnaturally orange sky, ranging from the effects of a volcanic eruption to Munch's psychological reaction to his sister's commitment at a nearby lunatic asylum.
"One evening I was walking along a path, the city was on one side and the fjord below. I felt tired and ill. I stopped and looked out over the fjord (...); it seemed to me that I heard the scream. I painted this picture, painted the clouds as actual blood. The color shrieked. This became The Scream."
He later further described his inspiration for the image:
"I was walking along the road with two friends – the sun was setting – suddenly the sky turned blood red – I paused, feeling exhausted, and leaned on the fence – there was blood and tongues of fire above the blue-black fjord and the city – my friends walked on, and I stood there trembling with anxiety – and I sensed an infinite scream passing through nature."
Today's painting has become so iconic, that it was even used for an emoji—and as today is World Emoji Day—😱😱😱!
P.S. Munch's iconic Scream is also featured in our Great Masterpieces 50 Postcards Set. :)
P.P.S. The place depicted in this painting actually exists! Want to see it? Here's a story of The Scream's mysterious street!