New York Times. May 8, 1994. p8(N),
p6(L), col 3.
'Scream' Is Found Undamaged
in Norway
OSLO, May 7 (AP) – Norway’s
most famous painting, "The Scream" by Edvard Munch, was recovered
today, almost three months after it was stolen from an Oslo museum.
Police said the painting, which is on fragile paper, was recovered undamaged
in a hotel in Asgardstrand, about 40 miles south of Oslo. Three Norwegians were
arrested.
The recovery and arrests apparently were made in connection with an attempt
to sell or ransom the painting, the Norwegian new agency N.T.B. said.
The 1893 painting of a waiflike figure on a bridge was stolen from the National
Art Museum in a break-in on Feb. 12, the opening day of the 1994 Winter Olympics
in Lillehammer.
Over the past 10 days, the police found four pieces of the painting’s frame
in Nittedal, a suburb north of Oslo, and what may have been cryptic messages
that the thieves wanted to discuss a ransom.
A few days after the theft, an anti-abortion group said it could have the painting
returned if Norwegian television showed an anti-abortion film. The police dismissed
their claim.
On March 3, the Government received a $1 million ransom demand but refused to
pursue it because no proof was offered that those making the demand had the
painting.