
Facial expressions are a universal language, a smile can covert two people from strangers to friends in an instant. In The Scream, what kind of ‘scream’ are we really looking into? One could possibly say this may be a scream of terror while another could strongly argue this may be a scream for contentment. Without prior knowledge from our artist or his story we may not ever know, but an interpretation can be taken differently by just about anyone. Edvard Munch and his brilliant painting have brought observers from all over to see this pure work of art and its constant mystery.

The main focal point of this painting is the alien-like human dressed in all black. Unidentifiable whether or not this may be a male or female, we can clearly see the scream on his or her face. I was quickly drawn to the two figures which seem to be people in the back following this person. A scream of fear seems to be filled with this human’s emotion. And for the people following him they seem as if they may want something from the main focal point of this painting. The bloody colored sky possibly being a symbol of aggression. The deep blue of the ocean causes an illusion of emptiness that the lone character is left with. The rhythm and flow of the paint strokes done by Munch all seem to direct towards the two humans following our main point. The wavy skies connect to the ocean on the horizon and meets in the direction to move towards the left. Everything in this painting seems to be as if it is in a distorted flow moving from the bottom right of the painting towards the left end towards the two people in the distance.

The water and the sky could set as a pathway for the ‘scream’ to take a psychological route into the brains of the two followers. There is a very strong set flow of brush strokes, possibly implying and purposely trying for Munch to get the observers eyes to follow a set pathway on this painting. The vivid colors in the sky add a beauty to this painting in contrast to the dark color of clothing on the humans. It adds great distinction to the dark blues of the ocean and the deep blood red of the sky with his heavy brush strokes.

But what if this isn’t a ‘scream’ of terror? Thinking in comparison, what if the lone human knew these two people walking away and maybe he forgot something? Or he is left alone and he is surprised by what he sees around him? The beautiful scenery around him could be leaving him in awe. What leads me to believe that this could possibly be an option is the figures hands. The hands on the face of the character lead to make me believe and imply that this isn’t a facial expression of terror, but an expression of beauty and happiness. Studying a person, hands upon the face don’t cause for a feeling of fear, but on overwhelming sense of an emotion that is stimulating to the brain in a positive way.  

You can look at this painting at a glass-half full approach. Optimistic or pessimistic, it’s truly up to the observer and maybe their past experiences prior to being introduced to this mysterious painting. Either way you look at it, the evidence is there for both arguments. Personally, when I first saw this painting I thought the main figure was screaming out of terror. But when I thought more about it and looked more closely at the details of the painting, I now think that the artist himself may be expressing some of his own misunderstood joy. Perhaps Munch was attempting to portray that at first glance something may appear frightening or foreign, but the reality is much more beautiful than it appears. I think the figure in the painting is so overwhelmed by the beauty of the sky and the water that he can’t help but cry out. His friends are in the background because this isn’t a moment that he’s sharing with them but rather a moment that he remembers having alone. I think it is more powerful that he is alone because it really shows how the beauty of the sky really impacts him.

Munch’s brush strokes beginning in the background and his friends leading to the scenery and then the main figure really puts the emphasis on what Munch wants the viewer to focus on. It also gives off the impression that the main figure is completely focused on what he is looking at rather than anything around him or behind him. Whatever the figure is looking at, it is taking his/her full attention and the brush strokes both on the board walk and the sky lead our eyes to that. The fact that it is unclear what the figure is looking at further exemplifies the mystery of the painting. Not only are we unsure if the figure is feeling the emotion of terror or pure joy, but we are unsure what is giving the figure that emotion. Perhaps it is just the scenery, but perhaps it is something more than that. It could be a person or an act, but whatever it is has the full attention of the figure. 

All in all, the painting’s muted colors and unclear subjects, emotions, and the lack of the viewers’ knowledge of what the main figure is looking at all play a factor in making Munch’s paintings so mysterious. Perhaps Munch’s subtle hints throughout the painting lead us to what we are supposed to see, or perhaps he purposely made it this way to be completely subjective. 