Rediscovered Munch painting with ‘intriguing mystery’ to go on display in UK for first time

Striking image will be unveiled at National Portrait Gallery in March, as part of a major exhibition of the Norwegian master's portraits

At first glance, it is a striking portrait by Edvard Munch, painted in 1892, a year before the Norwegian master was to create his most famous masterpiece, The Scream.

But peer closely at the man's sleeve along the bottom edge and two embracing, ethereal figures in a mysterious moonlit landscape are revealed.