In the past 100 years, there have been few works of art more iconic and recognizable than Edvard Munch’s “The Scream.” Wrought with intense color and complex composition, the image has been analyzed by artists, art historians and just about anyone who has witnessed its power.

Eerily, the painting invokes feelings of angst and death. These emotions that a viewer feels while witnessing the work of art established Munch as a father of modern expressionism.

However, to the surprise of many, there is more than just one version of the infamous icon. In total, Munch created four versions that varied in how they were created.

In 2012, only one of the versions belonged to the hands of a private collector and not a museum. This piece sold in auction for almost 120 million dollars. This amount of money set a new world record for the highest amount ever paid for a work of art at auction. Furthermore, the hefty sum exhibited just how sought after the image has become in recent years.

Munch’s work has also been some of the most targeted by thieves in the past decade. In 2004, another version of “The Scream” was stolen from the Munch Museum in Norway. It, along with another piece of Munch’s that was stolen, was luckily recovered two years later.

Responding to the current hype of Munch, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City has arranged for one version of “The Scream” to be lent to the museum by a private collector for a six month period.

The unique experience of standing in front of any version of Munch’s “The Scream” has typically been reserved only for those who venture a trip to Norway where the other three versions are currently residing. However, for the next few months, the experience has transcended to one only a subway ride away.

The piece is framed by an entire exhibit dedicated to more works by Munch. “The Sick Child” is an emotional portrait of Munch’s sister Sophie who died of tuberculosis when he was 14 years old.

This theme of loss and love for his sister weaves through much of Munch’s work. The significance of this is that the viewer is left with a sublime experience of being able to feel the emotions of Munch when looking at his works of art.

Another level of Munch’s works exists when viewing “Madonna,” a lithograph also featured in this exhibition. The image features a woman on the brink of saintliness who is feeling the mixture of pleasure and pain. With brushstroke and lines, Munch allows the viewer to feel with this piece as well.

Seen as the vanguard of the new and cutting-edge art, the MoMA has interestingly returned to a painter whose art is over a century old. Munch’s exhibit, centered on “The Scream” is an emotional journey through one man’s life and work.

Not to be missed, “The Scream” will be on view on the fifth floor of the MoMA until April 29.