We just missed it, but luckily for the peoples of Norway, Munch’s The Scream is back in police custody.

I would have liked to have seen it, but really, we saw plenty of great art in Norway. Also, I’ve never understood the fascination with seeing extremely famous works of art. You get there and think, “Yep, that’s pretty much what I thought it would look like.” Exceptions include Picasso’s Guernica and Michelangelo’s David, which are impressive not only for their artistry but for their sheer size.

Everybody talks about the Mona Lisa being a let-down, and I agree that it is. Also not terribly impressive was Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not hating on the paintings. They’re very good. It’s just that there’s so much great art out there that I don’t know what it looks like yet, it’s more fun for me see things for the first time.

Oh wait, Botticelli’s stuff (I’m thinking of Venus Rising in particular) is also really great in person. It’s much brighter and more youthful and lively than it seems in a textbook or on that link that you may or may not have clicked just now.

I’m very happy for Norway. Stealing paintings is just plain rude. The joy of owning art is from having it out so you can enjoy it, but if it’s both really famous and stolen, you can’t exactly put it in your living room. Sooner or later the UPS guy is going to catch a glimpse of it and rat you out.