Munch’s painting: Screaming or listening?

Edvard Munch’s masterpiece, “The Scream,” has become a world icon of human anxiety, appearing on everything from popular T-shirts to blowup dolls, and causing endless debate among art experts.

But what exactly is the surreal figure doing in the painting, with hands pressed to its head and open mouth: Screaming, or hearing a scream?

Rumour has it that infact the painting was set near an Asylem and he figure in the painting was infact hearing a scream of someone from it..

What do you think?

sorta both because I look @ it as the person is listening to someone and they are so shoched that they are screaming.

looks like the figure is hearing or seeing something disturbing

the eyes give it away i think

But which is it?

probably heard something..who can say what?
maybe an explosion?

Who knows..... Well the artist,

I guess it is all personal perspective, I agree that he is listening though

it looks like the figure has saw my giant package and is gaping in amazement

Lol. You wish...

i think the figure is screaming.

Originally posted by PVS
i think the figure is screaming.

you crazy son b!tch!
u better take that back...

Originally posted by Deano
looks like the figure is hearing or seeing something disturbing

the eyes give it away i think

✅

Screaming. Dunno why.

scream, or SKRIK as it called in Edvards native Norwegian,cause that is the name the artist gave it.............wouldnt call it a masterpiece though I find it rather piss poor

Going mad, and he is covering his ears because he can't take what is around him. Distorted world.

Fabulous amazing painting.

I believe that the figure is just expressing mild discomfort over being constipated.

Seriously, Munch titled this work, "the Scream" so why is this even being debated?

As a fine Arts major (both Studio and Art History) i became so sick of young students collecting this poster and putting it on their wall, along with anything by Gustave Klimt, that it has lost all meaning to me.

I use to see posters all over with the figure smoking pot...

"I was walking along a path with two friends, the sun was setting and suddenly the sky turned blood red, I paused, feeling exhausted, and leaned on the fence, there was blood and tongues of fire above the blue-black fjord and the city, my friends walked on, and I stood there trembling with anxiety, and I sensed an infinite scream passing through nature."

Edvard Munch.

He has heard and seen too much and is screaming and clutching his ears as he cant stand too hear anymore.

The hands over the ears is just an anxiety reaction.

Physical manifestation of external and existential angst

Originally posted by Deano
you crazy son b!tch!
u better take that back...

he's screaming because he just figured out the black government plot to enslave and microchip the human race😛

seriously though, the guy is screaming and the world surrounding him is distorted to express his point of view, one of intense anxiety and panic...thats the way i see it.

then thats very good reason for the figure to scream! lol

best use I have seen of that pictures was t shirts with the text "Dan Quayle for President??"