Putting Yourself in Edvard Munch's Painting



The Scream

The following painting and photography "add in" was done after a brief study of The Scream masterpiece by Edvard Munch. 

Directions for the Project:

Students will look at a picture of The Scream.

Then, they will sketch "their best" version of The Scream on 18 x 24 paper.

After they are happy with their sketch, they will begin painting with acrylic. 

Once painting was done, we actually went outside and did a photo shoot.

After blowing up the pictures on to approximately 8.5 x 14 inch (legal-sized) paper, they cut out themselves and glued on their version of The Scream.

Unfortunately, I only took a picture of my example.  The kids were very creative with the pictures.  My favorite picture was the one done by Gracie.  She actually did a split and placed herself on the fence.



Interesting facts found about The Scream:

• There are four different original versions of the The Scream.  Different art mediums were used including oil paints, tempera, and pastels. 
• Two of the artworks are paintings.  The other two of the artworks are pastels. 
• The National Gallery in Oslo, Norway, owns one of The Scream paintings. Check out this video about it being stolen in 1994.

• The Munch Museum holds the other painting, and one pastel.
• Another pastel is owned by a man by the name of Leon Black.  Black is an American businessman residing in New York City.  He bought the painting at an auction in 2012 for $120 million.  Black did all of his bidding by phone and was up against 4 other buyers. 

Leon Black

• Edvard Munch did the first version of The Scream in 1893, when he was about 30 years old.
• Munch made the fourth and final version of The Scream in 1910.
• He described himself in a book written in 1900 as nearly going insane.  He had a sister, Laura, who was committed to a mental institution during this time.
• The painting was done on an actual place located on the hill of Ekeberg, Norway.  At the bottom of the hill was a madhouse where Laura was kept.  Nearby was a slaughterhouse.  Some research says that in those times you could actually hear the cries of animals being killed.  Also, you could hear the screams of the mentally disturbed patients.
• Here is what Munch said about being inspired to produce The Scream.

Here's what Jack White (musician, record producer, actor) says about the once stolen Scream painting by Edvard Munch-

 "They still don't know where the stolen Scream painting by Munch is. It'll come back sooner or later. What are you going to do with a stolen painting? Hide it in your attic? You can't show it to anyone really, if you're caught with it, I don't know. Strange.” 

Here is a music video of Jack White (when he was The White Stripes) singing "Effect and Cause."  Listen for the lyrics, "But if you're headed to the grave you don't blame the Hearse." Ultimate Coolness.

Yo, it is Jack's 40th birthday today.

July 9, 2015

Munch on that.

1965