Artwork: The Scream By Edvard Munch
Subjective Frame
Question: How does this artwork aim to provoke an emotional response from the
viewer?
‘The Scream’ by Edvard Munch was made in 1893. This is an expressionist artwork that
depicts a person on a bridge screaming with a background of warm colours which can evoke
an impactful emotion on the audience.
The main subject of the artwork is the person standing on the bridge. His wide-eyed open
mouthed expression may indicate horror or fear. The scream thought to be present seems
exceptionally loud from the covering of the subject’s ears which may show panic. This
emotional response is deeply conveyed through the use of curved lines and colour. The
curvature of the subject’s body and the repetitive swirling lines in the sky may be constructed
to represent disarray.
The use of warm colours in the sky is another warning sign that depicts the extent of the
conveyed emotion. Its reddish tones may make the viewer feel alarmed as red is associated
with warning signs and danger. It can also be seen as a scream or a cry of distress and
anxiety from the sky. Munch’s expressionist harsh pastel lines throughout the artwork may
also be another factor that creates a negative emotion within the reader.
The Scream by Edvard Munch is an artwork in the expressionism art movement that utilises
a variety of techniques to provoke an emotional response from the viewer. This can be seen
in the appearance of the subject and is further explored in the swirling use of colour and
lines to seemingly create anxiety or fear within the audience.
Structural Frame
Question: Outline the visual qualities of this artwork.
‘The Scream’ was made in 1893 by Edvard Munch in dimensions 91 cm × 73.5 cm. The
medium used for the original artwork is oil, tempera, and pastel on cardboard. This is an
artwork created in the expressionism art movement, portraying a person on a bridge
screaming with a background of a sunset and water.
This artwork features the subject on the bridge as the focal point. The use of black clothing
and a dark blue for the ocean may reinforce the symbolism of anxiety and is further
demonstrated by the figure’s ghoul-like face. Warm colours are used to contrast against the
darkness and may reflect a dark mood created by the darker colours. The orange sky was
believed to be inspired by a volcanic sunset after the Krakatau eruption in 1883.
The repetitive utilisation of curved lines throughout the artwork in the body of the subject,
water and the sky which may represent disorder. The expressionist use of pastel on
cardboard creates a harsh texture especially in the contrast between black and orange and
can symbolise negativity. The size composition of the subject in the artwork may show
pressure. This pressure on the subject’s ‘shoulders’ can be seen by the small space taken
up compared to the composition of its surroundings.
To conclude, The Scream is an expressionist artwork that uses a contrast of colours to bring
out particular objects as well as making a harsh texture through mediums to create swirling
lines seen throughout the artwork.
Bibliography
● Sooke, A. (2016). What is the meaning of The Scream? [online] www.bbc.com.
Available at:
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20160303-what-is-the-meaning-of-the-scream
[Accessed 20 Mar. 2023].
● EdvardMunch.org (2012). The Scream, 1893 by Edvard Munch. [online]
https://www.edvardmunch.org. Available at:
https://www.edvardmunch.org/the-scream.jsp [Accessed 31 Mar. 2023].
● artincontext (2022). ‘The Scream’ Edvard Munch - Analyzing the Famous Scream
Painting. [online] artincontext.org. Available at:
https://artincontext.org/the-scream-edvard-munch/ [Accessed 20 Mar. 2023].
