Dulag National High School

Dulag, Leyte

Critique Paper
( Artwork Critique )

Submitted By:
Princes Kaye G. Malaza
Grade 12-Musk (ACAD-STEM )

Submitted To:
Mrs. Jessalyn Cervantes
 The Scream

By Edvard Munch

Description

Edvard Munch, a Norwegian artist, composed The Scream in 1893. One of

the most iconic pieces of art is the painting's agonized expression, which is thought
to represent the anxiety of the human condition. Through a succession of wavy lines
that pressed in on the figure like shock waves, Munch created the scream, turning
the figure's face into a primitive image of fear. By emphasizing that his two friends
were unscathed, he suggested that the trauma originated in his own mind rather than
in the outside world. The Scream was painted with pastel and tempera on a board.
At first glance, it appears to show a single central character covering his or her ears
and two more figures walking off into the distance. A sunset and a river or sea make
up the scenery. The painting appears to whirl due to the brushstrokes, giving it a
sense of motion. Dull yellows, blues, and purples were used to paint the depressed
figure. The oppressive, brightly colored swirling sky and curving landscape are
reminiscent of Munch's vision.

Analysis

The Scream is autobiographical; it is an expressionistic composition based on

Munch's real-life experience. Both Munch's self-portrait and Laura, his sister, might
be represented by the figure. However, Munch might be implying that everyone can
relate to the depressive and anxious feelings portrayed in the skull-like figure by
making the figure sexless and unidentifiable. The figure appears frightened and
covers his ears to dull the deafening scream. The landscape and water's shades of
grey, black, and blue are hues that are sometimes intimately connected with misery
and depression; possibly Munch was suggesting that nature had abandoned him,
leaving him sick and despondent. The person is being tortured by nature, and this is
made worse by the sky's rich orange and flaming red clouds. By striking such a stark
contrast between these two aspects, Munch may have been alluding to the internal
conflict between sanity and madness. Numerous opinions about the scene that is
represented have been inspired by the androgynous, skull-shaped head, elongated
hands, wide eyes, flaring nostrils, and ovoid mouth of the figure. The swirling blue
landscape and, in particular, the blazing orange and yellow skies have also inspired
many theories. Munch paid no care to paint this figure with any sense of realism.
This was perhaps a representation of Munch's own tortured self.

Interpretation

In his diary, Munch said that "a gust of melancholy" had inspired him to paint
The Scream in 1893. The figure in the painting is not screaming, but hearing a
scream. This shows the feelings, together with the trauma in his personal life, are
what give the painting a feeling of alienation and a feeling of abnormality. The
scream wasn't just a result of stress or an unusually frantic moment. It symbolizes
the deeply troubling times Munch was going through as he was faced with mental
illness and trauma, and it represents his attempt to make sense of and make sense
of his experience by using what he knew best—painting. He apparently painted the
artwork after going for a walk with some friends on a bridge. Munch primarily used
color in this painting to express drama and emotion. Instead of painting in a realistic
style, he really pushed the colors in the direction of his idea.
Judgement

It demonstrates a fresh approach to making art with its vivid and exaggerated
colors. It marks a turning point between the Symbolist and Expressionist
movements. The painting serves as a reminder that everyone feels scared,
panicked, or depressed sometimes. The way the painter shows us his experiences
through art and the message it conveys, indeed, gives us courage and braveness to
conquer every challenge we will face. There is no doubt that The Scream will be
considered a masterpiece. Munch aimed to represent a universal human experience
visually by using external forms to express internal emotions. The feelings of horror,
anxiety, distress, and countless other negative emotions that the audience may
experience when interpreting this artwork are created by Munch's use of elements,
including line, color, light and shadow, shape, and balance. There is no doubt that
The Scream is a masterpiece.
Princes Kaye G. Malaza Grade 12-Musk ( ACAD-STEM )

Output #3: Bionote