Elena Rossi
On February 12, 1994, two thieves stole the renowned Norwegian painter Edvard Munch's iconic painting, 'The Scream', from the National Gallery in Oslo, Norway. This incident sent shockwaves not just in Norway but also in art circles worldwide. The painting was recovered undamaged on May 7, 1994, and four men were convicted in connection with the theft in January 1996.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 12 February 1994 |
| Painting | The Scream |
| Artist | Edvard Munch |
| Type of work | Painting |
| Medium | Oil, tempera and pastel on cardboard |
| Year created | 1893 |
| Creator nationality | Norwegian |
| Location stolen from | National Gallery, Oslo, Norway |
| Location currently | Recovered and returned to the National Museum |
| Number of thieves | 2 |
| Method | Smashed a window, cut down the painting |
| Time taken | 50 seconds |
| Ransom demand | $1 million |
| Amount sold for | £250,000 |
| Number of versions | 4 |
| Convicted thieves | Paal Enger, William Aasheim |
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What You'll Learn
'The Scream' by Edvard Munch
On February 12, 1994, "The Scream", the iconic painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, was stolen from the National Art Museum in Oslo, Norway. This event sent shockwaves not just across Norway but also through art circles worldwide.
"The Scream" is considered one of the world's most famous paintings and was painted in 1893 by Munch, who created four versions between 1893 and 1910. The original, painted in oil, tempera, and pastel on cardboard, is the one that was stolen. The image of a skeletal figure clutching its head and wailing before a setting sun is renowned for its depiction of despair.
The painting was stolen by two thieves, William Aasheim and an accomplice, who pulled up in front of the National Gallery in a van, leaving the engine running. They set up a ladder, and Aasheim climbed through a smashed second-floor window, cut the painting free, and made off with their prize in just 50 seconds. The thieves left a postcard in place of the painting, reading: "Thanks for the poor security."
The painting was recovered three months later, in May 1994, and four men were arrested, including Paal Enger, a former athlete and known art thief. Enger hid the painting in the ceiling of a pool hall frequented by off-duty police officers. He was sentenced to six years and three months in prison in 1996 but escaped in 1999 while on a field trip. He was recaptured 12 days later and was later released, establishing an art career of his own.
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Stolen in 50 seconds
On February 12, 1994, Edvard Munch's iconic painting, 'The Scream', was stolen from the National Gallery in Oslo, Norway. Two men, Pål Enger and an accomplice, William Aasheim, pulled up in front of the gallery in a van, with the engine still running. Leaving the vehicle, they set up a ladder against the gallery's side, which Enger climbed to reach a second-floor window. Smashing the glass, he climbed inside, cut the wires holding the painting in place, and slid it down the ladder to his partner—all in 50 seconds.
'The Scream' is one of the world's most famous paintings. Painted by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch in 1893, it is one of four versions created between 1893 and 1910. The image of a skeletal figure clutching its head and wailing before a setting sun is renowned for its depiction of despair. Due to its fame, it was believed that the thieves would be unable to sell the painting. Instead, the gallery received a ransom demand for $1 million, which was refused. Frustrated, the thieves sold the painting to art dealers for £250,000 in May 1994.
The Norwegian police, with help from British detectives, worked to retrieve the painting. Posing as art dealers, the detectives met with the thieves and recovered 'The Scream'. Ultimately, four men were arrested and convicted in connection with the theft. Enger, a former athlete and known art thief, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison. He escaped in 1999 while on a field trip but was recaptured 12 days later.
The painting was returned to the National Museum, where it was hung in a less vulnerable spot. The theft of 'The Scream' is a reminder of the value and allure of famous artworks and the lengths to which thieves will go to obtain them. It also highlights the international cooperation and investigative techniques required to recover stolen cultural treasures.
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Two thieves
On February 12, 1994, two thieves stole one of the world's most famous paintings, *The Scream*, by the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. The painting was housed in the National Gallery in Oslo, Norway, and the theft sent shockwaves across the world.
The two thieves, William Aasheim and an accomplice, pulled up in front of the National Gallery in a van, leaving the engine running. They set up a ladder against the gallery's side, and Aasheim climbed through a smashed second-floor window. Once inside, he cut the wires holding the painting in place and used the ladder as a conveyor belt to steal the artwork. The whole operation took just 50 seconds.
A postcard was left in place of the painting, reading: "Thanks for the poor security." The thieves initially demanded a $1 million ransom for the painting, but when this was refused, they sold it to a pair of art dealers for £250,000.
The Norwegian police assumed a ransom demand was imminent and began a sting operation. They posed as American art dealers buying for the Getty Museum to trick the thieves into handing over the painting. Ultimately, four men were arrested and convicted in connection with the theft, including Paal Enger, a former athlete and known art thief. Enger was sentenced to six and a half years in prison but escaped while on a field trip in 1999. He was recaptured 12 days later and was later released, going on to establish an art career of his own.
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Ransom demand
On February 12, 1994, two men broke into the National Gallery in Oslo, Norway, and stole 'The Scream', one of the world's most famous paintings by the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. This version of the painting, created in 1893, was the original, painted in oil, tempera, and pastel on cardboard.
The painting had been moved to a less secure spot in the museum due to a special cultural exhibition coinciding with the Winter Olympics, which were due to open in Lillehammer later that day. Taking advantage of the city's focus on the Games, the thieves smashed a window, cut the painting loose, and made off with it in under 50 seconds.
Following the theft, the gallery received a ransom demand for $1 million, which it refused to pay. The thieves, now frustrated, agreed to sell the painting to a pair of art dealers for £250,000 in May 1994. The painting was recovered, and four men were arrested, with one, Pål Enger, a former athlete and known art thief, believed to be one of the two men who broke into the gallery.
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Recovered in May 1994
On 12 February 1994, Edvard Munch's iconic painting 'The Scream' was stolen from the National Gallery in Oslo, Norway. The painting was recovered on 7 May 1994, just three months after it was stolen.
The recovery was the result of a sting operation by the police. The Norwegian authorities had turned to the London Metropolitan Police for help, given their reputation for tracking down stolen paintings. Posing as an American art dealer, British detective Charles Hill tricked the thieves into handing over the painting. Hill pretended to be buying the painting for the Getty Museum. He met with the thieves and agreed to buy the painting for £250,000.
The thieves had initially demanded a ransom of $1 million from the gallery, which was refused. Frustrated, they agreed to sell the painting to Hill, who was posing as an art dealer. Four men were arrested in connection with the theft: Paal Enger, Mr Grytdal, and two other accomplices. Enger, a former athlete and known art thief, was sentenced to six years and three months in prison. He took up painting while in prison, and later established an art career of his own.
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Frequently asked questions
The Scream, by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch.
The National Art Museum or National Gallery in Oslo, Norway.
Two thieves, William Aasheim and an accomplice, pulled up in front of the gallery in a van. Leaving the engine running, they set up a ladder and climbed through a smashed second-floor window. They cut the wire holding the painting in place and used the ladder as a conveyor belt to steal the painting in under 50 seconds.
Yes, it was recovered on May 7, 1994, and returned to the national museum.
