Chuck Jones' Scweam Donated to Munch Museum

files/pictures/picture-35.jpgLinda Jones and Craig Kausen, daughter and grandson of legendary animation director and artist, Chuck Jones, have donated the Chuck Jones lithograph, "The Scweam," to the Munch Museum in Oslo, Norway in response to the recent theft of Edvard Munch's "The Scream" this past week.

In a letter to the museum's curators, Craig Kausen wrote, "When we heard of the tragic theft of ‘The Scream,' we were heartbroken to think that your patrons, visitors and Munch admirers would be unable to enjoy this masterpiece while the despots and fiends are tracked down and this work of genius is returned."

Chuck Jones, the creator of many of the beloved Looney Tunes characters and legendary animation director, deeply appreciated the magnitude and grandeur of the works by Edvard Munch. In 1990, Jones paid tribute to Munch's masterpiece with his own dramatic yet light-hearted rendition, entitled, "The Scweam," featuring three of the characters -- Elmer Fudd, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck -- that he helped make international icons.

Continued Kausen, "Although nothing will replace Mr. Munch's masterpiece, we are offering Mr. Jones' rendition to hang in its stead during its, hopefully, brief absence."

According to Craig Kausen, the Jones family is all too aware of the emotions surrounding the theft of beloved works of art, having suffered through a string of burglaries from their own galleries in the early 1990s. "Chuck was very philosophical about the first theft," said Kausen. "In fact, he said he felt flattered that someone would go to the trouble to steal one of his paintings. However, when the second painting was stolen, it was much more aggravating. We certainly empathize with the curators and the staff of the Munch Museum."

Chuck Jones' artwork is showcased in museums and galleries throughout the world.