HORBY IN SKANE.- A woodcut entitled "Towards the Forest II", from 1915, made by Norwegian painter Edvard Munch has been stolen Tuesday night from the Sextorps estate outside of Hörby in Skåne, Sweden. Police issued the alarm and gave a description of the piece and are hoping police and customs will keep an eye out for the painting. “It is white with a black person against a green flaming background,” said Håkan Nilsson, police spokesman in Lund. The painting is estimated to be valued approximately US$137,000 dollars and is signed by Edvard Munch. The estate is used as a summer home and nobody was there when thieves went through the front door. The alarm rang around 11.30 pm. Apparently they only stole this work. The police searched several cars around the area with no success. Munch, who lived from 1863 to 1944, is considered one of Europe's most important expressionist artists.

According to the Much Museum, "the two woodcuts for this print were first carved in 1897 and printed in many editions. In the early prints, however, the figure of the woman is naked. In 1915 Munch worked on these plates further and changed the key plate and the colour plate. The new prints are often printed in radiant colours and the woman appears to be dressed."