Today in History—February 12: The Surreal Theft of The Scream

Written by

Alicja Zelazko

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

History

Security footage shows two figures approaching the museum with a ladder. They position it near a second-story window. The grainy video cuts away; the rest of the actions are hard to decipher, but one figure seems to drop something from the top of the ladder before descending.

This isn’t footage from the 2025 Louvre heist: It’s the remarkably similar 1994 theft of The Scream from the National Gallery in Oslo—made bolder by its timing, on the eve of the Winter Olympics in Norway.

The audacious abduction of Edvard Munch’s 1893 masterpiece occurred in the predawn hours, as Norway was preparing for the opening ceremony. That evening the world’s attention would turn to Lillehammer, a resort city 110 miles north of the capital. This distraction proved useful for the burglars. In less than 50 seconds, the thieves used a ladder to reach the window, break it, enter the building, clip the wires hanging The Scream, and flee.

By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

In the artwork’s place, the robbers reportedly left a note saying, “Thanks for the poor security.”

The crime was a national embarrassment for the Olympic host country, but the authorities had a suspect in mind: Pål Enger, a former footballer for the storied Norwegian club Vålerenga. Enger had recently served time for stealing another Munch painting (Vampire) six years earlier. But Enger denied involvement, and there was no evidence connecting him.

Fun Fact

Masked gunmen stole a different version of The Scream in 2004; rewards for its return included 2 million Norwegian kroner—and 2 million dark chocolate M&M’s. (Allegedly it was the candy that flipped a jailed informant.)

The Norwegian police contacted Charles Hill, a noted detective in the art and antiques unit of the London Metropolitan Police. He set up an elaborate sting, posing as a representative from the Getty Museum in Los Angeles wanting to buy The Scream. Hill took on the guise of Chris Roberts, a “slightly dodgy, mid-Atlantic-accented art dealer,” while a colleague played “an English gangster living in Amsterdam.” Their act worked. Within three months, Hill and his team had The Scream.

Two years later, four men were convicted of the theft—including Enger.

Related Links

By the Numbers