Screamin'

Edvard Munch, a Norwegian expressionist painter who lived from 1893–1910, created a series of artworks called "The Scream."

The Munch Museum holds one of two painted versions, including this one from 1910...



and one pastel.


The National Gallery of Norway holds the other painted version from 1893.



A fourth version, in pastel, is owned by Norwegian businessman Petter Olsen.



Munch also created a lithograph of the image in 1895.



The Scream has been the target of several high-profile art thefts.  In 1994, the painting in the National Gallery was stolen, but was recovered several months later. Then, in 2004, The Scream was stolen from the Munch Museum and was not recovered until  2006.

But there is another Scream ~ a lesser-known ghostly version, created from this artwork



but done in lampwork glass.



The lampwork glass Scream, created by Gus at Florida Lampwork, has never been stolen



because it's the ghost version.  You'd have to be a psycho art thief to try to pilfer a ghost.

In lieu of security guards who spend their days reminding visitors to stay behind the line on the floor and not breathe on the artwork, the Ghost Scream is guarded day and night, 24/7, 365-1/4 days a year, by these guards.







Don't let their expressions fool you.  They are armed and dangerous, especially if you're an insect.

And rather than keep the work hidden away in a Norwegian museum, it is worn on a necklace...



... and shown as a traveling art exhibit.



...which can be viewed up close.



But watch out for the bats.





The Scream and other works of beaded art can be found here.