Thief Who Stole Munch’s ‘The Scream’ Dies in 90 Seconds… He Learned Painting in Prison and Held Exhibition

2024-07-03 13:30:00

Edvard Munch’s (1863-1944) masterpiece ‘The Scream’

Norwegian Pal Enger (57), who was called the ‘thief of the century’ for stealing the masterpiece ‘The Scream’ by famous Norwegian painter Edvard Munch (1863-1944) in 1994, passed away on the 29th of last month (local time). The cause of death is unknown. He was a promising soccer player in his teens, but became a thief. After gaining fame through this incident, he even held an exhibition of his own paintings.

According to the Associated Press and other sources on the 2nd, the famous soccer club ‘Vallerenga Portval’ in Oslo, Norway, where Enger played, announced that Anger died 3 days ago.

Enger became famous worldwide in 1994 when he was caught on CCTV stealing “The Scream” with such ease. According to the American art media outlet ArtNews, that day was the opening ceremony of the Lillehammer Winter Olympics in Oslo, and the city was in chaos.

Enger took advantage of the fact that most of the police force was focused on security for the opening ceremony. He and his accomplice broke the window of the Oslo National Gallery where the Scream was hanging and entered. It took him only 90 seconds to steal the Scream. He even showed his audacity by leaving a postcard at the scene saying, “Thank you for the poor security.” The value of the Scream was estimated at at least $55 million (approximately 77 billion won) at the time.

‘Scream’ Thief Pal Enger. Pal Enger Facebook Capture

Enger was arrested a few weeks later in a police sting operation and sentenced to six years in prison. He had already served four years in prison for stealing another Munch painting, Love and Pain, in 1988. After his first theft, he was expelled from the football club and never got a chance to make a comeback.

Enger learned how to paint in prison during his second term. He held a solo exhibition in 2011, which attracted attention. However, he did not stop his criminal activities. In 2015, he was charged with stealing 17 paintings from the Oslo Art Museum.

In the documentary “The Man Who Stole the Scream,” which chronicles Enger’s egregious theft and life, he claims, “I don’t regret stealing The Scream.” He continues, “I made history, and it’s a great story,” and shows no remorse for his crimes until the very end.

Reporter Choi Ji-seon [email protected]

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2024-07-03 13:30:00