One of the more recognizable paintings on the planet may be Edvard Munch’s “The Scream of Nature.” Better known as “The Scream,” this work is widely recognized for the sexless creature in the foreground and the blood red sky forming part of the background. Given how close the location that Munch immortalized is located to a slaughterhouse and an insane asylum, it is thought that either, or both, of those places served as a source of inspiration as well.

But what of that creature in the foreground? What, exactly, did Munch paint? It has been speculated that Munch created this creature after being inspired by a Peruvian mummy, but that does not make much sense. After all, who has a Peruvian mummy just hanging around their studio or backyard?

What this creature that Edvard Munch painted may actually be something far more sinister. Just look at that being again. The dark clothes. The wide mouth and large eyes. The bald hair and lack of any other features. What Munch may have done is to somehow depict one of the Silence.

The fact that Munch was able to remember the Silence is astonishing. Since you forget that you saw one when you look away, either Munch had some impressive memory skills or managed to convince one of the Silence to pose for him. But what would Munch have given up for such a bargain? Or, were the Silence using Munch to attempt to set a trap for the Doctor, as he would recognize who they were?

Given that the Doctor has already gone back in time because of a painting, traveling back to meet Vincent Van Gogh and to give us one of the best episodes of the new Doctor Who, why not have the same scenario? The Doctor, touring a museum or running across the painting for some reason, would obviously wonder why the Silence were in Norway just before the turn of the century. This could set up an excellent episode where the Doctor is once again saving the universe, only this time, the reason for his efforts would be immortalized for all to see.

Edvard Munch created one of the more famous masterpieces of all time when he created “The Scream.” He may also have done something far more astounding – accurately depict one of the Silence, either from memory or from dashing off a sketch in the heat of the moment.