The document discusses Edvard Munch, the Norwegian artist who created The Scream painting. It describes that Munch suffered from anxiety, drinking, hallucinations, and feelings of persecution throughout his life. The Scream is his most famous work depicting existential anguish, inspired by his experience witnessing the sky turn blood red during a volcanic eruption. Munch created multiple versions of The Scream and his works greatly influenced the development of German expressionism in the early 1900s. However, Munch suffered mental health issues and received treatment including electroconvulsive therapy in 1908.