Moisture, not light, explains why Munch’s ‘The Scream’ is deteriorating

Discoloration and damage to cadmium yellow paint is mainly from water, a study finds

The Scream painting

Moisture is the main reason that vivid yellow paint on Edvard Munch’s 1910 version of “The Scream” (pictured) is fading and flaking off, a new study finds. That insight could help preserve the painting’s delicate composition.

Irina Crina Anca Sandu, Eva Storevik Tveit/Munch Museum

New insight into paint preservation could help “The Scream” show its face in public again.