Oslo  - A lithography by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch was stolen late Thursday in a break-in at an art dealer in Oslo, police and media said Friday.

"It is a unique hand-coloured print," Pascal Nyborg who runs the art dealership told broadcaster NRK. He declined to state its value.

According to Nyborg the thief or thieves apparently did not touch any other works, and smashed one of the front windows opening on to the street.

A van used in the break-in was found a few blocks away from the art dealership and is being investigated by police.

Munch, who lived from 1863 to 1944, is considered one of Europe's most important expressionist artists.

In 2004, two of his most famous paintings - The Scream and The Madonna - were stolen by armed robbers from the Munch Museum in Oslo.

The masterpieces were recovered in 2006. (dpa)