The Scream in the Style of Edvard Munch (1895) Unique IV

Hand-signed Hand-Embellished Lithograph Unique on Velin Arches Blanc 300gsm Paper by John Myatt.

In the 2026 chapter of The Masters Collection, internationally acclaimed former art forger John Myatt turns his attention to Edvard Munch, recreating one of the most psychologically powerful images in art history, ‘The Scream’.

Drawn to Munch’s raw, expressive language and his ability to visualise inner turmoil, Myatt has long regarded the artwork as one of the most important images of the modern age.

Created in 1893, ‘The Scream’ is an expression of overwhelming existential anxiety, with Munch himself describing the inspiration as a moment when “the enormous infinite scream of nature” passed through him. Set against a violently swirling sky, the central figure appears overwhelmed by sound and sensation, becoming both participant and victim in the emotional chaos of the scene.

A symbol of modern anxiety, the artwork reflects Munch’s belief that anguish and fear are fundamental aspects of the human condition. The unnatural colours, distorted perspective, and rhythmic lines are not intended to represent reality, but to externalise inner emotion.

Crafted with sensitivity and intent, balancing reverence and reinterpretation, Myatt’s recreation honours these principles, focusing on the tension between colour, movement, and psychological weight that makes the image so universally recognisable.

John Myatt approaches the work of Edvard Munch as an actor might approach a role, immersing himself fully in the artist’s psychological landscape. Myatt studies the emotional conditions under which ‘The Scream’ was conceived — a period marked by illness, grief, and an intense preoccupation with fear, love, and mortality.

Today, ‘The Scream’ is regarded as one of the most valuable images in art history. Of the several painted and printed versions created by Munch, In 2012, one of Munch’s pastel versions sold for nearly $120 million, placing the work among the most expensive ever sold at auction, and two have been subject to high-profile thefts — stolen on separate occasions from Norwegian institutions in 1994 and again in 2004, events that only deepened the work’s aura of unease and cultural notoriety.

Few images in modern art carry the emotional intensity and cultural resonance of The Scream by Edvard Munch. While the painted versions are iconic, it was the artist’s lithographic prints that proved crucial in extending the reach of this haunting figure, helping to establish his international reputation as an artist. Around 45 prints were produced before the lithographic stone was re-used, with a small number hand-coloured by Munch himself. John has recreated this process, echoing both the scarcity and the quality of the original editions.

Lithography, a planographic form of printing, relies on the natural resistance between grease and water on a prepared flat surface. After completing the drawing, the prints are created on presses where the alternate use of damping and inking ensures that only the artist’s drawn image receives the application of ink, which is then transferred onto suitable paper to produce the final lithographic print. The lithographic method on stone is the original process, discovered by Alois Senefelder in the late 18th century in Bavaria, where fine-grain limestone formed the basis of his experiments and the principle of grease and water interaction was first realised. A prevalent technique in Fine Art, lithography has been embraced by major artists including Pablo Picasso, David Hockney and Barbara Hepworth.

Today, the process can also involve drawing onto translucent film or paper, with the image transferred to a plate using UV exposure or working from a high-resolution digital file to create films that carry the image information. Our reproduction of John Myatt’s version honours both the enduring power of Munch’s vision and the rich technical heritage of lithography that made its global impact possible.

These unique artworks are each individually hand-finished by Myatt - no two are the same. Each piece bears subtle differences in tone, texture, and emphasis, echoing Munch’s own experimental approach and reinforcing the idea that emotional expression is never fixed.

“The Scream is not about a single moment of fear, but about the universal experience of anxiety. Munch found a way to give that feeling a visual form, and that is what makes the image timeless.” – John Myatt

This artwork is a hand-signed hand embellished Lithograph on Velin Arches Blanc 300gsm paper unique by John Myatt.

Find out more about this collection here or shop more Myatt’s art.

Production & Delivery

All our artwork is made to order in Birmingham, UK, ensuring top quality. Please allow up to four weeks for delivery. Each piece is carefully crafted to meet our high standards.

If you order multiple artworks, they may arrive separately for efficiency.

Returns

We offer a 14-day cooling-off period so you can view the artwork in your home. If it's not right for you, we’ll collect it free of charge or you can return it to one of our galleries.

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