Iconography the Scream free essay sample

College University, Lahore History department Assignment Iconographic Analysis of a Painting (The Scream) Submitted to: Dr. Hussain Submitted by: Mohsin Ashfaq (452-BH-2010) Formal Analysis Article: Painting Materials: Oil, Tempra, Pastal on Cardboard Colors: Black, Red, Orange, Dark Blue, Yellow Iconography Edvard Munch, in 1893, presented his painting that became very popular world-wide. It was named â€Å"The Scream† by the artist. It has almost 4 different versions, but all are very same. Scream had gained reputation as an iconic art-work, and it remained source of inspiration for a long time. Edvard Munch was a Norwegian painter and most of his work is based on psychological themes. Other than Scream he performed my other paintings such as, Death in Sickroom, The sick child, At the Roulette Table in Monte. These are all considered excellent paintings but they did not gain as much popularity as Scream. Colours used in the painting are very aggressive. They depict violence in the painting. We will write a custom essay sample on Iconography the Scream or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The man standing in the picture is screaming loud at everything. Colours used in this painting, especially the orange colour of sky, describe a gloomy surrounding. Plus the calmness and normality of two persons behind show the silence of scream; that it is unheard. Some analysts believe that it is â€Å"Screaming of nature†. Since paintings of Munch mostly reflect psychological themes, this painting could be explaining â€Å"Agoraphobia† (phobia from wide open spaces). The painting has a wide open landscape in the background. It is possible that the person is screaming in panic attack. All these themes combined into one painting, make it very disturbing in its look. The feel of anxiety and frustration in the picture is very visible. It shows the loneliness of the artist. The location of the bridge is in Oslo, Norway. Munch’s own words about the paintings are these: â€Å"I was out walking with two friends the sun began to set suddenly the sky turned blood-red I paused, feeling exhausted, and leaned on a fence there was blood and tongues of fire above the blue-black fjord and the city my friends walked on, and there I still stood, trembling with fear – and I sensed an endless scream passing through nature. † It is all about perception however. Every person perceives this picture according to his own opinion and past experiences. Still this picture is consider one of great master-pieces in history.