Munch's The Scream set to top £50m at auction

 
Iconic: a version of Edvard Munch's The Scream will go on sale on May 2
10 April 2012

One of the most famous paintings in modern art is to be sold at auction for the first time and is expected to make more than £50 million.

Sotheby's of New York has been asked to sell the only version of Edvard Munch's The Scream still in private hands at its Impressionist and modern art sale on May 2.

The painting was seen in public when shown briefly at the National Gallery in Washington decades ago. People will get a chance to view the work in London and New York before the auction.

The version, from 1895, is owned by Petter Olsen, a Norwegian businessman whose father, Thomas, was a friend, neighbour and patron of Munch. Proceeds from the sale will go towards the creation of a museum, art centre and hotel at Mr Olsen's farm in Hvitsten, which will be dedicated to Munch's work. It will open next year on the 150th anniversary of the artist's birth.

Simon Shaw, Sotheby's senior vice president, said: "Munch's The Scream is the defining image of modernity one of the most important works of art in private hands. Instantly recognisable, this is one of very few images which reaches a global consciousness."

The price tag would put the work in the top 10 most expensive paintings sold at auction. All other versions of The Scream are in Norwegian museums. The one being sold is the most colourful version.

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