7 May: The Return Of ‘The Scream’
The theft of Edvard Munch’s iconic painting ‘The Scream’ sullied the opening day of the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer – but, on 7th May, 1994, the iconic work was recovered.
The painting, which has been stolen multiple times, was returned on this occasion thanks to the involvement of Britain’s Metropolitan Police – and the comic ineptitude of the thieves.
In this episode, Olly, Rebecca and Arion explore the bizarre career of professional footballer turned art thief Pal Enger; consider what Munch had in common with modern-day artists like Damien Hirst; and reveal whether Macaulay Culkin’s ‘scream’ on the poster for Home Alone was a deliberate tribute…
Further reading:
• When ‘The Scream’ was stolen AGAIN – in 2005 –
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2005/jun/13/art.arttheft
• Conservator Gry Landro talks about what happened to the painting after the robbery –
• The Athletic profiles Pal Enger – https://theathletic.co.uk/2445693/2021/03/16/the-footballer-turned-art-thief-who-stole-the-scream/