Stolen Artwork Talk: "The Scream" Thief's Audacity and the Six-Year Price

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In a display of staggering bravado, Pål Enger executed one of the most audacious art thefts of the 1990s. In 1994, before fleeing with Edvard Munch's "The Scream" from Oslo’s National Gallery, Enger left a mocking note for the guards: "Thanks for the poor security." The newspaper clipping reveals a strange, personal motive for the crime: Enger was reportedly obsessed with the artwork because the screaming face reminded him of his violent step-father, turning the high-stakes robbery into a psychological quest. However, his three months of freedom with the masterpiece ended swiftly. Scotland Yard successfully recovered the painting undamaged, while Enger paid the ultimate price for his arrogance, serving six years in prison. He learned the hard way that mocking the authorities is not a long-term retirement plan. From an article in the supplementary section of Hindustan Times of 22 Nov 2025. Image : Taken from the article