Infrared photography used on Edvard Munch’s The Scream at the National Museum of Norway.
In 1904, a Danish art critic peering atEdvard MunchsThe Screamnoticedgraffitialong the rolling clouds of the blood-red sunset.
The sentence reads, Can only have been painted by a madman.
Infrared photography used on Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” at the National Museum of Norway. (Photo:Annar Bjorgli/The National Museum)
The century-old debate has finally been settled by modern technology.
As part of Norwegian Expressionism, Munch painted several versions ofThe Scream.
The painting with the hidden message is the original, dating to 1893.
“The Scream” by Edvard Munch, held at the National Gallery of Norway. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public domain])
Suggestions were made that the work indicated the artist’s mental state.
For this reason, scholars have wondered if an anonymous hand had carved the message calling Munch a madman.
While closed for construction, the National Museum chose to inspect Munch’s painting under infrared light.
Infrared photography used at the National Museum of Norway. (Photo:Annar Bjorgli/The National Museum)
The images produced give a clearer outline of the words written upon the painting.
Experts then compared the handwriting to known examples by the artist.
They have come to the conclusion that the hand is one and the same.
Close up of “The Scream” with barely visible graffiti. (Photo:Borre Hostland/The National Museum)
But why would Munch etch this sentence into his own painting?
His most famous painting,The Scream, has inspired countless depictions of painincluding the famousScreammask.
Thankfully, the later years of his life were ones of commercial success and sunnier-feeling paintings.
The hidden graffiti under infrared light. (Photo:Borre Hostland/The National Museum)
Munch died in 1944, while Norway was under Nazi occupation.
His work had earlier been purged from German museums by the Nazis.
To this day, 11 of those works have never been recovered.
“The Scream” under infrared. (Photo:Borre Hostland/The National Museum)
Many others can today be seen on view in Norway, where the National Museum will reopen in 2022.
Edvard Munch’sThe Screamholds a hidden message which has puzzled scholars for a century.
The Scream by Edvard Munch, held at the National Gallery of Norway.
Infrared photography used at the National Museum of Norway.
Close up of The Scream with barely visible graffiti.
The hidden graffiti under infrared light.
The Scream under infrared.
