The Scream

The Scream is a painting by the late nineteenth and early twentieth century impressionist artist Edvard Munch. Edward Munch, a popular Norwegian painter and printmaker, used psychological themes to base his paintings, and he greatly influenced the German Expressionism in the early twentieth century. Munch's purpose in this painting was to convey the human emotions of anguish and melancholy, shown by the face that is contorted by the scream. I think the author is able to convey his purpose because the viewer can see the obvious pain in the main subject's pale, genderless face. Another rhetorical device is the painting's use of opposites. The use of hot colors in the sky (reds, yellows, oranges) contrasts with the cool colors of the water (blues, greens, purples) to create tension. The subject is standing by a chaotic environment. Most artists do not paint for an audience, but for themselves. It is believed that Munch suffered from depression, so it is possible that he used the painting as an emotional outlet. However, most people find this painting fascinating and an accurate representation as to a feeling that we have felt at one time or another, making it very relatable. The Scream is part of a larger collection by Edvard Munch called The Frieze of Life. The inspiration for this masterpiece came from the mental institution where his sister was kept, and it is said that you could actually hear the screams of the mental patients from the institution.