OSLO, Norway, April 11 (UPI) -- An eye surgeon is helping to repair damage to Edvard Munch's "The Scream" and "Madonna," damaged during Norway's first ever armed robbery of artwork.
Munch Museum director Lise Mjos said the Oslo facility called in the surgeon to remove glass splinters from the paintings, Aftenposten said Wednesday. Mjos described the damage to the paintings during a court hearing to determine whether the three men convicted of the crime may be sentenced to pay repair costs.
Because the frames and covering glass on the paintings were smashed, glass splinters have been embedded in them, especially in "Madonna," which is painted on canvas. "The Scream" is painted on board.
"We will use an eye surgeon to remove the glass splinters from the two paintings. We want them removed to prevent them causing greater damage later," Mjos told the court.
The museum seeks $264,000 for conservation and repair expenses as well as $216,000 in lost sales of tickets and souvenirs, plus lost cafe income.
