One of four versions of Edvard Munch's The Scream goes on public display at Sotheby's today. It's the first time the pastel work has been seen in Britain, and only its second public outing in the world.
The image is one of a quartet of Screams created by Munch in the 1890s, and the only one still in private hands. Its sale at auction in New York next month is expected to raise at least £50 million, which will go towards a museum and arts centre devoted to the Norwegian artist.
A representative of Sotheby's commented: "Short of selling the Mona Lisa, I do not think there is another image that transcends its original function as a work of art in a way that The Scream does." It's certainly difficult to think of any other image that (a) gave Macaulay Culkin a career, and (b) is available as a blow-up doll.
The iconic image will be on public show at Sotheby's alongside other works of art until Wed 18 April.
