NOVA MCGILL
Contributor
One of the most famous paintings in the world, “The Scream” by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, has been stolen more than once. However, the most famous theft happened on February 12, 1994, when thieves broke into the National Gallery in Oslo. They slipped in at dawn, grabbed the painting, and vanished so quickly that it almost seemed unreal. To make it even worse—and even more embarrassing for the museum—they left behind a note mocking the gallery’s security, basically bragging about how easy the theft had been.
Because “The Scream” is one of the most recognizable images in all of art, the theft immediately became international news. People weren’t just shocked because of the money involved—they were disturbed because the painting is seen as a cultural treasure. It represents something far bigger than paint on a canvas: raw emotion, fear, anxiety, and a piece of Norway’s artistic identity. The fact that someone could simply walk in and steal it made people everywhere question how safe famous works of art really were.
The story didn’t end with the painting gone forever though. After months of searching, police recovered “The Scream” on May 7, 1994 and it was returned to where it belonged. The recovery brought huge relief, but it also left behind a lasting lesson: even the most famous masterpieces can become targets if security isn’t strong enough. To this day, the 1994 theft is remembered as one of the boldest and most shocking art heists ever conducted.
Photo from www.edvardmunch.com