Edvard Munch's painting "The Scream" captivates with its depiction of existential anguish. Born in 1863, Munch endured personal tragedies, including the loss of family members to tuberculosis and mental illness. Despite opposition, he pursued his artistic vision, breaking from academic tradition to focus on "soul painting," emphasizing raw emotion.
"The Scream," inspired by a moment of acute anxiety, evolved into an iconic symbol of horror and angst. Premiering in 1893, it fueled the Expressionist movement and entered popular culture, even inspiring an emoji.
Munch's masterpiece continues to resonate globally, transcending personal suffering to become a universal symbol of human turmoil.
• Agony: Extreme physical or mental suffering.
• Devastated: Destroyed or ruined.
• Flitted: Moved quickly and lightly.
• Immersed: Deeply involved in or absorbed by something.
• Crescendo: A gradual increase in loudness or intensity, especially in music.
• Archetypal: Representing the most typical example of a particular type of person or thing.
• Echo: A close parallel or repetition of an idea, feeling, style, or event.
Source: Ted-Ed