Edvard Munch’s iconic painting ‘The Scream’ remains one of the most recognizable and analyzed images in modern history. This quiz explores the history, theft, and pop culture influence of this expressionist masterpiece.
You will see questions about the unconventional materials Munch used, the real-world events that inspired the blood-red sky, and the bizarre museum heists that kept the artwork in the news.
After completing this quiz, explore other famous masterpieces, read about classic art movements, or discover more about famous artists.
Who created the iconic expressionist painting known as ‘The Scream’?
Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh
Claude Monet
Claude Monet
Edvard Munch
Edvard Munch
Gustav Klimt
Gustav Klimt
In which century was the first version of ‘The Scream’ painted?
17th century
17th century
20th century
20th century
18th century
18th century
19th century
19th century
What primary medium did the artist use for the best-known 1893 version of ‘The Scream’?
Oil and tempera
Oil and tempera
Watercolor
Watercolor
Fresco
Fresco
Acrylics
Acrylics
How many main versions of ‘The Scream’ did the artist create between 1893 and 1910?
Three
Three
Five
Five
Six
Six
Four
Four
The setting of ‘The Scream’ is inspired by a path overlooking which city?
Oslo
Oslo
Nice
Nice
Zurich
Zurich
Paris
Paris
What natural phenomenon is believed to have influenced the lurid, blood-red sky in the painting?
A historical reenactment event
A historical reenactment event
The sight of a nearby asylum
The sight of a nearby asylum
A volcanic eruption contributing to intense sunsets
A volcanic eruption contributing to intense sunsets
A sudden thunder storm
A sudden thunder storm
Recent theories suggest the central figure’s pose was inspired by the artist seeing what object in a museum?
Peruvian mummy
Peruvian mummy
A theater mask
A theater mask
A photograph of his mother
A photograph of his mother
An anatomically correct study of a skull
An anatomically correct study of a skull
Which museum currently houses the most famous 1893 version of ‘The Scream’?
The National Museum in Oslo
The National Museum in Oslo
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC
The Tate Modern in London
The Tate Modern in London
The Louvre in Paris
The Louvre in Paris
In which year was the first well-publicized theft of ‘The Scream’ from the National Gallery?
1996
1996
1994
1994
1992
1992
1998
1998
Which high-profile event involved masked gunmen stealing both ‘The Scream’ and ‘Madonna’?
The 1893 opening gala protest
The 1893 opening gala protest
The 2004 museum heist in Oslo
The 2004 museum heist in Oslo
The WWII Nazi looting scandal
The WWII Nazi looting scandal
The 1970s studio burglary
The 1970s studio burglary
‘The Scream’ is considered a foundational work for which art movement?
Expressionism
Expressionism
Cubism
Cubism
Surrealism
Surrealism
Impressionism
Impressionism
According to the artist’s inscription, the figure in the work is reacting to a scream passing through nature rather than doing what?
Laughing out loud
Laughing out loud
Screaming themselves
Screaming themselves
Yawning
Yawning
Crying
Crying
The most famous 1893 version of ‘The Scream’ was painted on which unconventional substrate instead of a traditional canvas?
Wood panel
Wood panel
Cardboard
Cardboard
Slate tile
Slate tile
Copper plate
Copper plate
In 1895, the artist produced a version of ‘The Scream’ in which printmaking medium, helping to spread its fame worldwide?
Screenprint
Screenprint
Woodcut
Woodcut
Lithograph
Lithograph
Etching
Etching
Which Norwegian city houses the museum that holds the majority of the original versions of ‘The Scream’?
Oslo
Oslo
Trondheim
Trondheim
Bergen
Bergen
Stavanger
Stavanger
The main character’s pose in which famous 1990s film poster was inspired by ‘The Scream’?
Home Alone
Home Alone
Scream
Scream
The Matrix
The Matrix
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters
In modern digital communication, ‘The Scream’ was the direct inspiration for which popular symbol?
A high-end fashion line
A high-end fashion line
A luxury perfume
A luxury perfume
A simple emoji
A simple emoji
A national postage stamp
A national postage stamp
What was the original Norwegian title given to the painting by the artist, later translated to ‘The Scream’?
Melankoli
Melankoli
Angst
Angst
Skrik
Skrik
Sjalusi
Sjalusi
How was the 1994 stolen version of ‘The Scream’ eventually recovered?
It was discovered hidden in the trunk of an abandoned rental car
It was discovered hidden in the trunk of an abandoned rental car
It was found in a hotel room during an undercover sting operation
It was found in a hotel room during an undercover sting operation
It was recovered beneath a floorboard by a search dog
It was recovered beneath a floorboard by a search dog
It was found in a dumpster after a botched ransom
It was found in a dumpster after a botched ransom
Which infamous art thief notably bragged about stealing ‘The Scream’ in 1994?
Pål Enger
Pål Enger
Leon Krier
Leon Krier
Karl Jensen
Karl Jensen
Paul Engh
Paul Engh
Following the 2004 theft of ‘The Scream’, how long did it take for the police to recover the painting?
Two years
Two years
Three years
Three years
Six months
Six months
One year
One year
What was the condition of ‘The Scream’ when it was recovered after the 2004 theft?
It had been cut into multiple pieces
It had been cut into multiple pieces
It had been completely destroyed by fire
It had been completely destroyed by fire
It was found in pristine, undamaged condition
It was found in pristine, undamaged condition
It was partially damaged, requiring professional restoration
It was partially damaged, requiring professional restoration
You can do better
Not bad
Great!
If you enjoyed this art quiz, check out our trivia on museums and galleries. You can also explore cities of the world or read up on some historic places.
