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De Schreeuw

De Schreeuw is a memorial sculpture in Amsterdam dedicated to the memory of Dutch filmmaker, producer, and journalist Theo van Gogh, who was killed on 2 November 2004. Created by a sculptor whose work was chosen from 150 конкурс entries, it stands on the edge of Oosterpark near the crime scene in eastern Amsterdam. The 4.6-meter monument consists of six steel strips rising from the ground and curved to suggest the profile of van Gogh’s face, with one side showing an open screaming mouth and the other a closed mouth. Unveiled on 18 March 2007, it was presented as a symbol of freedom of speech.

De Schreeuw sculpture with six wavy steel strips forming a face in a park
De Schreeuw rises from the grass in Oosterpark, its wavy steel strips forming a striking face-like profile.
August 2018 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
De Schreeuw sculpture with wavy metal strips forming a human profile in Oosterpark
De Schreeuw stands on a grassy area in Oosterpark, with bare trees and a path in the background.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
De Schreeuw, a tall metallic sculpture standing on grass in a park beneath an overcast sky.
De Schreeuw rises from the grass in Oosterpark, its notched upper form silhouetted against bare trees and a gray sky.
February 2020 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
De Schreeuw sculpture against a deep blue sky with leafless tree branches
De Schreeuw stands prominently beneath a vivid blue sky, framed by bare tree branches.
© · CC BY 2.5
A rectangular plaque for De Schreeuw lies in damp ground among grass and scattered leaves.
Plaque for De Schreeuw set in damp ground with grass and fallen leaves around it.
February 2020 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleDe Schreeuw
English titleThe Scream
TypeMemorial sculpture

Historical context

Year created2007
SubjectTheo van Gogh, the assassinated Dutch film director, producer, journalist, columnist, and controversial opinion maker
Commemorated eventTheo van Gogh was assassinated on 2 November 2004 by Mohammed Bouyeri, a self-declared defender of Islam

Creator

ArtistJeroen Henneman

Discovery and provenance

Selection processChosen from 150 works submitted to a competition
JuryIncluded Theo van Gogh's parents

Physical characteristics

Height4.6 metres
FormSix steel strips protruding from the ground and bent into a stylized profile of Theo van Gogh's face

Materials

MaterialHeat-blasted stainless steel

Appearance

DescriptionOne side shows a face screaming upward with an open mouth; the other side shows a face with a closed mouth

Iconography and meaning

ThemeFreedom of expression and the silencing of Theo van Gogh
InterpretationA symbol of freedom of speech; the work was intended to represent the tension and complexity of that theme

Location and ownership

LocationOosterpark, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Specific siteOn the edge of Oosterpark, near Linnaeusstraat and the place where Theo van Gogh was murdered

History and restoration

Unveiling date18 March 2007
Unveiling delayDelayed by six months because of administrative formalities required for installation
Unveiling attendeesTheo van Gogh's father, two sisters, friends, and officials including Amsterdam mayor Job Cohen
Unveiling statementAt the unveiling, Jeroen Henneman said he hoped the image would remind passers-by of the moment of the murder and referred to Theo van Gogh, saying 'to Theo van Gogh, who cries out for mercy'
Opening performanceA song dedicated to freedom of speech was performed by an actor friend of Theo van Gogh; the singer's name is not given
Vandalism date15 September 2007
Vandalism detailsVandalized with black marker graffiti reading 'Al-Qaeda' and the date '27-11-2007'
Aftermath of vandalismThe offenders were not found

Other

City official quotedMartin Verbet, representative of the Amsterdam city administration
Alternative translationThe title can also be translated into Portuguese as 'O grito' ('The scream')