Edvard Munch's 'The Scream' Goes for $119M: Do You Like the Painting?
SodaHead News
2012/05/03 13:00:00
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You might not know Edvard Munch by name, but there's a good chance you've seen his masterpiece, "The Scream," somewhere before. The 1890s oil-and-pastel is one of the most iconic paintings in the art world, right up there with Picasso's "Guernica", Van Gogh's "Starry Night," and da Vinci's "Mona Lisa." After sitting in the hands of Norwegian billionaire Petter Olsen for his entire life, the 1895 version of the painting sold to an unknown buyer for a record-breaking $119.9 million at an auction.
We say the 1895 "version" because, believe it or not, it isn't the only original. Olsen's 1895 pastel-only version is one of four. There were two done in oil, one in pastel (Olsen's), and one in egg tempera. They were all completed between the years 1893 and 1910. According to The Daily Mail, Olsen's father was a friend and patron of Munch's, and presumably bought the original from the painter himself.
Of the pastel, Olsen said, "I have lived with this work all of my life, and its power and energy have only increased with time. Now however, I feel the moment has come to offer the rest of the world a chance to own and appreciate this remarkable work." He put it up for auction with Sotheby's in New York, and started the bidding at $40 million. The final price beat Picasso's "Nude, Green Leaves and Bust," which sold for $106.5 million in 2010, but Van Gogh's "Portrait of Dr. Gachet" would still hold the record if adjusted for inflation.
Of course, art is always somewhat subjective -- in the eye of the beholder, as they say. Most of us couldn't imagine being able to afford an art classic like "The Scream" but... Do you even like it? Let us know! And while you're at it, throw up some pictures of your favorite pieces of art. We'd love to see them!
We say the 1895 "version" because, believe it or not, it isn't the only original. Olsen's 1895 pastel-only version is one of four. There were two done in oil, one in pastel (Olsen's), and one in egg tempera. They were all completed between the years 1893 and 1910. According to The Daily Mail, Olsen's father was a friend and patron of Munch's, and presumably bought the original from the painter himself.
Of the pastel, Olsen said, "I have lived with this work all of my life, and its power and energy have only increased with time. Now however, I feel the moment has come to offer the rest of the world a chance to own and appreciate this remarkable work." He put it up for auction with Sotheby's in New York, and started the bidding at $40 million. The final price beat Picasso's "Nude, Green Leaves and Bust," which sold for $106.5 million in 2010, but Van Gogh's "Portrait of Dr. Gachet" would still hold the record if adjusted for inflation.
Of course, art is always somewhat subjective -- in the eye of the beholder, as they say. Most of us couldn't imagine being able to afford an art classic like "The Scream" but... Do you even like it? Let us know! And while you're at it, throw up some pictures of your favorite pieces of art. We'd love to see them!
Top Opinion
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NarcolepticGoat 2012/05/03 19:46:46
Don
I like these works better.
Those art beautiful, however.
...the bottom one, not so much. There's one in the bar next door quite similar to it, painted by a local guy from the neighborhood. Reminds me of Def Leppard's album cover & some over-zealous fan in awe of it/them or something.
(Example of futurism)
(example of art nouveau)
...always have.
Tiffany's lamps too.
I wont comment on your taste in art because good instincts, taste, education, influence one's appreciation of art, so, what one likes is very subjective, but , you know...
I just felt so inslted for Munch. lol
My husband (he died) would have loved your bottom picture. It is not my thing, but he really would have loved it.lol
as for my favoured works of art, I like this:
It's a painting of the ζ Aurigae (zeta Aurigae) star system. (it's an artist's imagination of what it looks like, obviously, as no-one's ever been there.)
I like this one, too.
The madness of the swirls: the maelstrom and the cacophony of contrasting colors that rage up against one another. Yes it's a truly great painting.
Munch had his own "emotions" wrapped up in it - his own message, yet anyone can draw a message from it. To me, it always represented the totality of all the suffering of every organism on this planet in one instant of time. Something so colossal it makes my mind boggle.
That is so admirable that you two think that way. I'm a good person, but I also think that money can ruin people. Look at the Hollywood movie stars, and look at Junior Seau who had millions and fame and he took his own life.
I think people like you and your girlfriend will do well with money because you guys have a great heart and great attitude!
People love to hate Anjelina Jolie & Brad Pitt, but they've both done tremendous things.
George Clooney is one of my heroes... he's a true gentleman while remaining human & I have the utmost respect for him (not to mention that I adored his aunt).
I am a War veteran (US Army) and several of my buddies that didn't make it back home are heroes in my book.
I truly respect them both. They are heroes to many many individuals & communities & even some entire regions.
G Clooney is one of my personal heroes because he is always charming, always chivalrous, is very political, stands by his values, stands by his convictions, has a fantastic sense of humor & is extremely intelligent, not to mention is as or more honest than the average guy... all while being able to make the average guy feel at ease while around him. He's like the modern day Cary Grant & likely the last of his kind.
Soldiers are also heroes, but of a very different kind.
Smokey