The Scream by Edvard Munch

You've seen this painting parodied, made into memes, or referenced in movies from "Home Alone" to "Scream." You might not know its name or the name of its artist, but you know it when you see it. 

A person crossing a bridge pauses to clutch their face and scream. Their eyes are wide. Their mouth makes a perfect O. Behind them the sky is made of orange, red, and pink ribbons, like the storms on Jupiter. In contrast, a serene lake with sailboats, a landscape with trees and buildings, and rolling hills are below. The figure's two companions on the bridge are too far away for the viewer to see their expressions.

It's called "The Scream." The artist is Edvard Munch.

Munch, specifically "The Scream", inspired the Expressionist movement: art intended to express meaning rather than literal reality. The volatile colors of the sky and the figure's skeletal face express what Munch later described as "a scream of nature," which is often interpreted as "the anxiety of the human condition." Biographers believe the "scream of nature" was inspired by the admission of Munch's sister to a lunatic asylum and Munch's concerns about his own mental health.

 That "The Scream" has resonated with current society to the point that it's entered pop culture says a lot about the wide-reaching presence of "the anxiety of the human condition." Anxiety, depression, stress – all of these and more have become part of our everyday lives. So there is "The Scream," releasing pent-up emotions in an endless silent cry.

 If you've ever experienced that feeling of existential dread, "The Scream" lets you know you're not alone.