Two years and 9 days after two Edvard Munch masterpieces (The Scream and Madonna) were stolen from the Munch Museum in Oslo, Norway, local police finally announced that they had recovered the paintings, which sustained surprisingly minimal damage.

The artworks, bearing an estimated worth of $122 million, were snatched at gunpoint by two masked thieves in an audacious daylight raid on August 22, 2004. Public anxiety reached fever pitch when rumors swirled in April 2005 that the artworks had been burned by their pilferers in order to conceal evidence. In June that year, city officials offered a 2-million kroner (approx. $294,000) reward for information that could lead to their recovery. In May 2006, 3 men were convicted for their connection to the crime (for driving/supplying the getaway vehicle).

The Norwegian police, whose extensive recovery efforts included wiretapping of 70,000 calls, believe the paintings have never left Norway since they were taken. Both paintings, which were completed by Munch in 1893, were part of the artist’s “Frieze of Life” series. No details as to where exactly they had been retrieved were given.

Another version of the “The Scream” (Munch made 4 versions of it, in various media) was stolen in February 12, 1994, but was eventually recovered 3 months later.

In an amusing sidelight, about a week ago (August 22, 2006) M&M announced that, in connection with the launching of its newest product, it was offering 2 million M&M Dark Chocolate candies for the return of the paintings. To highlight the launching, the company unveiled a new ad campaign, which showcases Red (M&M’s signature character) playing hopscotch behind the screaming subject in the famous painting.

In a prompt response to recent events, M&M confirmed that it would honor its pledge to give away 2 million candies (retail price worth $22,000) in celebration of the recovery of the famous artworks.

M&M exec Anibal Martini said “We chose to feature The Scream in the campaign because it is one of the world’s most recognizable dark paintings.” He indicated that the specifics would be revealed as soon as the painting had been verified and the reward coordinated with Oslo police.