The Scream

 

The Scream

Edvard Munch (1863-1944) created this startling artwork in 1893. Munch had been walking at sunset when the clouds turned ‘blood red.’ He sensed that the natural world was deeply disturbed and showed the figure in the picture shielding its ears from the screaming noise made by tortured Nature.

There is no explanation for the unusual phenomenon of the sky’s bright and unusual appearance. Some suggested that it was the memory of the effects of a volcanic eruption that Munch had seen some years earlier. Others suggest that he had a panic attack; Munch was subject throughout his life to ill health, and a fear of developing mental illness.

This little jigsaw had fifty pieces and was one of several small jigsaws I bought as stocking fillers.

 

Jigsaw

 

Jigsaw

This is another small wooden jigsaw of oddly shaped pieces. It’s called ‘Summer Badgers’ by Lucy Grossmith, and has eighty-three pieces. Unlike other jigsaws, the pieces do not fit closely together.

It was fiddly, but fun to do. I have some ‘normal’ jigsaws to do one of these days. Not yet, though, as I need the dining room table for Sunday lunch.

I can’t lay out a jigsaw anywhere that the cats might access, as they are attracted to them and will stretch across them, even as I attempt to put the pieces together.

Why do we do jigsaws? What’s the point? I know some people frame them, but I’ve never been inclined to do that. I suppose it’s a challenge, a way of bringing order out of chaos. My time would be more usefully occupied in domestic chores, but where’s the fun in those? Move the dust around and it will settle somewhere else. Mop up the spatters and someone will spill something more.

I know there are badger setts in the woods, but have never discovered them, or perhaps I just haven’t recognised them. Occasionally, I see a dead badger on the side of the road – always a sad sight – but haven’t seen a live badger for an exceptionally long time.