About this episode

This episode discusses the recovery of Edvard Munch’s painting 'The Scream' and the bizarre story of its theft and return.

The theft of Edvard Munch’s iconic painting ‘The Scream’ sullied the opening day of the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer - but, on 7th May, 1994, the iconic work was recovered. The painting, which has been stolen multiple times, was returned on this occasion thanks to the involvement of Britain’s Metropolitan Police - and the comic ineptitude of the thieves. In this episode, Olly, Rebecca and Arion explore the bizarre career of professional footballer turned art thief Pal Enger; consider what Munch had in common with modern-day artists like Damien Hirst; and reveal whether Macaulay Culkin’s ‘scream’ on the poster for Home Alone was a deliberate tribute... Further reading: • When ‘The Scream’ was stolen AGAIN - in 2005: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2005/jun/13/art.arttheft • Conservator Gry Landro talks about what happened to the painting after the robbery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm45OPVxoCc • The Athletic profiles Pal Enger: https://theathletic.co.uk/2445693/2021/03/16/the-footballer-turned-art-thief-who-stole-the-scream/ Love the show? Support us! Join 🌴CLUB RETROSPECTORS🌴to DITCH THE ADS and get an additional full-length episode each SUNDAY… … Plus, get…

People in this episode

Hosts: Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina, Arion McNicoll

Topics covered

• art theft
• The Scream
• Pal Enger
• Winter Olympics
• Munch and modern artists

Keywords

• The Scream
• art theft
• Pal Enger
• Munch
• Winter Olympics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Britain’s Metropolitan Police

Books & works: The Scream, Home Alone

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