The reason Edvard Munch’s most famous artwork The Scream is shrieking in horror has been finally revealed: it wants you to stop breathing on it.
It seems it is not only humans that benefit from social distancing, as researchers seeking to identify the reason for the painting’s deterioration have discovered that human breath has contributed to its damage.
By conducting x-ray probes of the paint on the 1910 work of art, a group of scientists discovered that Munch mistakenly used an impure cadmium yellow which is vulnerable in low humidity – for example, when breathed upon.
Top ArticlesDuke and Duchess of Sussex celebrate 2nd weddinganniversary
READ MORE
As a result, the intended bright yellow on the sunset, lake and areas of the main figure’s skin have faded to off-white or even started to flake away.
Munch’s extensive use of experimental pigments “poses a challenge for the long-term preservation of Munch’s artworks because of their tendency to undergo photo-chemical transformations causing color changes and/or structural damage,” reads the study, undertaken by scientists from Belgium, Brazil, Italy and the US and published in Science Advances.
TOP ARTICLES1/5READ MOREOsasuna striker Chimy Avila reveals Barcelonatransfer talks before injury struck
The use of cadmium-based yellow paints also appear in artworks by a number of Munch’s contemporaries, including Vincent Van Gogh, Henri Matisse and James Ensor. This study could aid preservation efforts for these artists’ works.
The theft of The Scream in 2004 also resulted in damage to the cardboard and a dirty water mark. It was taken along with his Madonna when two masked gunmen raided the Munch Museum in Oslo in broad daylight. Both were recovered two years later.
More about: ARTS EDVARD MUNCH
Appeal after woman left with broken leg in unprovoked bus attackEVENING STANDARD
Online Degrees In Pakistan – The Cost May Surprise YouONLINE DEGREES | SEARCH ADS|
Pakistan : Work-from-home in the US may pay you more than you thinkREMOTE JOB SEEKER | SEARCH ADS|
Quarantine Time? Use This Tool To Access Hundreds of New Streaming TitlesTHETOPFIVEVPN|
Work From Home Jobs in the USA May Pay More Than You ThinkONLINE JOBS | SEARCH ADS|
Rachel Riley and Tracy-Ann Oberman win first round of libel battleEVENING STANDARD
High knees everyone! Group breaks out into exercise as cop approachesEVENING STANDARD
Best plus-size lingerie: 15 sexy styles for curvy women
8 best home exercise bikes to get your indoor cycling fixPROMOTED BY THE EVENING STANDARD|
Incredible New Anti-Snoring Device Takes Pakistan by StormSILENTSNORE|
How To Watch Streaming/Netflix Services Like AmericanTHETOPFIVEVPN|
Reporter keeps her cool as huge cat fight erupts behind her on TVEVENING STANDARD
Actor Gregory Tyree Boyce and girlfriend found dead in Vegas homeEVENING STANDARD
Working From Home In Pakistan May Pay More Than You ThinkWORK FROM HOME | SEARCH ADS|
Transfer Talk LIVE! Saul to Man Utd ‘done’, Arsenal after ‘new Messi’EVENING STANDARD
The post Edvard Munch’s The Scream needs people to stop breathing on it, say experts first appeared on The African Gazette.