Interpol's Works of Art unit assists Norwegian police in tracking stolen paintings

'The Scream' - tempera and pastel on board, 91 x 73.5cm, signed and dated lower left 'E.Munch 1893.'

'The Madonna' - oil on canvas, 90.5 x 70.5cm, signed lower left 'E.Munch'

LYON, France - Interpol has offered its full assistance to Norwegian authorities following the theft of Edvard Munch's 'The Scream' from a museum in Oslo on 22 August.

A second painting, entitled 'The Madonna' was also taken from the Munch Museum during the armed robbery. The estimated value of both pictures is around EUR 100 million, according to Norwegian authorities.

Details of the paintings have been entered on Interpol's database of stolen works of art. Information has also been sent to all member countries via Interpol's global police communications system.

Created in 1995, Interpol's database for works of art includes descriptions and pictures of each missing piece and currently holds information on more than 26,000 items.

In addition to notifying all 181 member countries of thefts of works of art, the General Secretariat also produces a CD-ROM of missing items. This is updated every two months in English, Spanish and French, and is made available to private bodies such as museums, antique dealers and collectors.

Stolen Works of Art - woa@interpol.int