NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Norwegian police have recovered one of the world's most famous paintings, the expressionist work "The Scream" by Edvard Munch, they told CNN Thursday.

"All we can say is that the paintings are in the possession of the police. As soon as possible we will have a scientific evaluation, assessing the damage and so on, and then the paintings will be returned to their owners, which in this case is the Munch Museum," said Oslo Police District Information Advisor Jørn Jørgensen in a telephone interview from Norway.

Part of the M&M advertising campaign.

"The Scream," along with another painting called "Madonna," were stolen from the Munch Museum in Oslo, Norway, in 2004 by masked gunmen during a daring daylight robbery. "Madonna" is also in possession of the police.

According to published reports, "The Scream" could be worth as much as $81 million. A reward of $300,000 was offered for its return by the City of Oslo, the official owner of the works, according to wire reports.

Ironically, the painting's recovery comes just days after M&M's launched a new ad campaign offering 2 million dark chocolate M&Ms for the return of the painting. (Full story)

No word from Oslo police on whether they will collect their candy reward.

M&M's says it has every intention of honoring its offer.

The company said 2 million candies is equal to about 40,000 bags of M&Ms, worth approximately $22,000.

The M&M's brand is owned by Masterfoods USA and is a part of closely held food manufacturer Mars, Inc.

CNN: Stolen painting 'The Scream' recovered by police