The Many Faces of The Scream by Edvard Munch

Few works of art are as instantly recognizable as Edvard Munch’s The Scream. With its haunting figure, swirling sky, and raw emotion, it has become a universal symbol of modern anxiety. What many don’t realize is that Munch actually created several versions of this masterpiece over the course of his life, each with its own distinct character and story.

The 1893 Painted Version

The first painted version, created in 1893, is housed in the National Museum in Oslo. This is perhaps the most iconic version, painted in tempera and crayon on cardboard. The sky glows with fiery reds and oranges, while the figure on the bridge is gripped by existential terror. Nasjonalmuseet

The Pastel Versions (1893 & 1895)

Munch also created pastel versions, which allowed him to experiment with texture and intensity. The 1893 pastel is held at the Munch Museum in Oslo, while the 1895 pastel became world-famous after it was sold at auction in 2012 for nearly $120 million. This version features a slightly sharper, more graphic quality, with strong lines defining the bridge and figure. 

The 1910 Painted Version

Another painted version, believed to have been completed around 1910, also resides in the Munch Museum. This one was produced after the first had already achieved recognition, and it reflects subtle changes in Munch’s technique and palette. Some art historians see it as a revisitation, infused with Munch’s later perspective on life and art.

Lithographs and Prints

Beyond the paintings and pastels, Munch also made lithographs of The Scream, allowing the image to reach a wider audience in his own lifetime. These prints are simpler in form but no less powerful, emphasizing the figure’s cry and the surrounding atmosphere.

Why So Many Versions?

For Munch, The Scream wasn’t a single work—it was a motif. He described the moment of inspiration as a personal vision of overwhelming anxiety while walking at sunset. By reworking it in different media, he explored the depth of that emotion and ensured that the image would resonate across time.