What makes The Scream painting valuable?
William Smith
Updated on April 04, 2026
Munch created four versions of The Scream, three of which are held in museums, but the painting sold last Wednesday night is thought to be the most valuable because its frame features a poem hand-written by Munch himself. It also proved as the starting point for horror film series Scream.
How much is The Scream painting worth?
It’s ‘The Scream’, painted by Edvard Munch, and it sold at a Sotheby’s auction last night in New York for $119.9 million, establishing it as the most valuable piece of art ever sold at auction, Margo Adler tells NPR’s Newscast.
What is the meaning of The Scream by Edvard Munch?
The Scream was not simply a product of stress, or an uncharacteristic moment of panic. It symbolizes the darkly troubled times Munch was experiencing as he dealt with mental illness and trauma, and his attempt to rationalize and explain his experience through what he knew best; painting.
What Colours did Edvard Munch use in The Scream and why?
The ghoulish figure was painted with sickly colors: dull yellows, blues, and purples. Dark and light accents painted over the top hint at the “screaming” expression of the figure. No attention was given by Munch to paint this figure with any sense of realism.
Why did The Scream sell for so much?
The piece was sold by businessman Petter Olsen, whose father was friendly with the Norwegian artist. Earlier this year, Mr Olsen said he had decided to sell The Scream because he wanted to “offer the rest of the world a chance to own and appreciate this remarkable work”.
What is the content of The Scream painting?
The Scream is part of a series of paintings that Munch was to call The Frieze of Life. The pictures are tied togheter in terms of subject matter and form, and focus on existential topics such as love, pain, anxiety, jealousy and death.
How much did Edvard Munch’s painting sell for?
‘The Scream’ is a painting by Edvard Munch that sold for $119 at Sotheby’s auction in New York on Monday. During NPR’s Newscast, Margo Adler tells NPR that the paintings made $9 million, making them the most valuable works of art ever sold at auction.
