In August 2004, the original version of Munch’s iconic The Scream and a version of Madonna were stolen from Oslo’s Munch Museum. Two men, armed with handguns, threatened museum staff and demanded the two paintings. After over a year the paintings have still not been recovered. The museum closed and did not reopen until July 2005. Because the paintings were irreplaceable, they hadn’t even been insured.

Another version of The Scream had been stolen in 1994. It was recovered three months later after the thieves attempted to extort a $1 million ransom. (more…)