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There are things in the world that cannot be defined. Universal things that somehow are connected to everyone and everything. Things that are general and objective and personal and subjective at the same time – like love and gravity, like ART.
For me, art was the scribbling and splashing of colors on paper to make my father smile and say “I’m proud.” It is the oxymoron between the words and emotions of my friends when they get mad because they care. It is the weight of my lover’s head resting gently on my shoulders and watching the starry night.
Art is universal as it surrounds us and personal as it happens to all of us, like love and gravity. However, Complex things attract attention, and over time, people give their shots—explaining, defining, and creating art. In this blog, you will discover masterpieces that have withstood the test of time. Here is the list of the Most Famous Paintings in the World and everything you need to know about them.
Theory of ART
Defining and explaining art is a bit complicated. For example, while explaining what a “Dog” is, its definition would be a set of rules. Like “A dog is a four-legged mammal with fur.” However, this definition would fail if the dog is hairless or loses a leg. Such exceptions make it hard to give a perfect definition.
The theory of art is about comprehending how dogs behave and think. Instead of a strict definition, it is crucial to study how art works.
Defining art accurately in a way that covers everything is nearly impossible. The theory of art does not try to find a perfect definition, but it understands how artworks and how people think.
How to Read a Painting?
To better understand and admire the most famous paintings in the world, you should know how to see and read a painting. Here are some questions for you to better comprehend a piece of art.
Step 1. LOOK
- Initial Observations: Take in everything, the entire work of art, and ask, what are the first things you notice?
- Examination: Focus on each specific detail, its shapes, colors, and textures.
Step 2. DESCRIBE
- Visual Elements: Use descriptive language to describe the lines, shapes, colors, and composition.
- Figurative Elements: Describe any figures or symbols depicted in the artwork.
Step 3. THINK
- Storytelling: Ask yourself, what story does the artwork tell? What is the setting, mood, and theme of the painting?
- Purpose: Why was this artwork created? What beliefs or values does it reflect?
- Artist’s Intent: What do you think the artist was trying to convey?
Step 4. CONNECT
- Personal Connections: Pay close attention to how the artwork makes you feel. Does it remind you of anything?
- Comparisons: How is this artwork similar to or different from others you’ve seen?
- Broader Significance: And lastly, how does this artwork contribute to our understanding of art, culture, or history?
By following these four steps, you can gain a deeper appreciation for the most famous paintings in the world.
Top 10 Most Famous Paintings in the World
1. Mona Lisa
- Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
- Estimated date: 1503 to 1519
- Where to see it: Louvre Museum (Paris)
It should be no surprise that this mysterious lady with her enigmatic smile ranks first on the list of most famous paintings in the world. Mona Lisa is Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic portrait and a masterpiece that transcends time. This valued artwork has a striking resemblance to many Renaissance depictions of the Virgin Mary. Mona Lisa exudes a reserved demeanor, seated upright in an armchair with folded arms. Almost alive, steady, and intense gaze is a testament to Leonardo’s innovative technique of avoiding outlines.
2. The Scream
- Artist: Edvard Munch
- Date: 1893
- Where to see it: National Museum (Oslo, Norway)
“The Scream” is a series of paintings, prints, and pastels created by Edvard Munch. He produced two versions in paint and two in pastels, along with a lithography stone from which several prints have survived. The two most famous versions reside in the National Gallery and the Munch Museum. One of the pastels was sold for a staggering $120 million in 2012. The painting’s notoriety is amplified by high-profile thefts in 1994 and 2004, drawing international attention. The Scream depicts a haunting image and is often seen as a symbol of modern humanity’s anxiety, captivating audiences worldwide.
3. The Last Supper
- Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
- Estimated date: 1495 to 1498
- Where to see it: Santa Maria delle Grazie (Milan, Italy)
Leonardo is the only artist to appear twice in our list of the most famous paintings in the world. “The Last Supper” was painted in an era when religious imagery was still a dominant theme for art. This painting depicts Jesus breaking bread for the last time with his disciples before his crucifixion. The painting is a huge fresco – 4.6 meters (15 feet) high and 8.8 meters (28.9 feet) wide, which makes for a memorable viewing.
4. Girl with a Pearl Earring
- Artist: Johannes Vermeer
- Estimated date: 1665
- Where to see it: Mauritshuis (The Hague, Netherlands)
Often compared with Mona Lisa, “Girl with a Pearl Earring” is a beautiful example of the use of light and denoting a style by Johannes Vermeer. The Dutch public, in 2006, selected it as the most beautiful painting in the Netherlands. This painting depicts a European girl wearing an oriental turban, an exotic dress, and improbably large pearl earrings. Its dark background is not just black but small amounts of red ochre, indigo, and bone black color.
The face and draperies were painted mainly using ochres, natural ultramarine, bone black, charcoal black, and lead white. However, the start of the painting, “The Pearl” is described as an illusion having “no contour and hook to hang it from the girl’s ear.” The work is oil on canvas and is 44.5 cm (17.5 in) high and 39 cm (15 in) wide and is signed by “IVMeer”.
5. The Starry Night
- Artist: Vincent van Gogh
- Date: 1889
- Where to see it: Museum of Modern Art (New York City)
“The Starry Night” is a comparatively abstract painting that will make you believe in love and magic. It is a signature example of Van Gogh’s bold use of thick brushstrokes. The painting’s striking blues and yellows and the dreamy, swirling atmosphere have intrigued art lovers for decades. It depicts the view from the east-facing window of his asylum room at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, just before sunrise, with the addition of an imaginary village. It has been in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City since 1941.
6. The Kiss
- Artist: Gustav Klimt
- Estimated date: 1907 to 1908
- Where to see it: Upper Belvedere Museum (Vienna, Austria)
Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss is a masterpiece of the Symbolist movement, renowned for its opulent use of gold leaf and intricate Art Nouveau-inspired designs. The painting demonstrates Klimt’s mastery of color and form, depicting a passionate embrace between a couple. The couple’s bodies are intertwined in elaborate robes adorned with intricate patterns, reflecting the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement. The Kiss is now a permanent fixture at the Upper Belvedere Museum in Vienna and remains one of Klimt’s most celebrated works.
7. Guernica
- Artist: Pablo Picasso
- Date: 1937
- Where to see it: Museo Reina Sofía (Madrid)
Pablo Picasso’s Guernica is a monumental oil painting that is a powerful indictment of war. Created in 1937 in response to the German and Italian bombing of the Basque town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War, the painting depicts the suffering of humans, animals, and birds. With its distinctive cubist style, Guernica unflinchingly examines the horrors of war, making it a cornerstone of 20th-century art. The painting’s emotional impact and symbolic power have solidified its place as one of Picasso’s most celebrated works and a potent reminder of the devastating consequences of conflict.
8. The Birth of Venus
- Artist: Sandro Botticelli
- Estimated date: 1485
- Where to see it: Le Gallerie Degli Uffizi (Florence, Italy)
Sandro Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, painted in the mid-1480s, is an iconic masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance. Depicting the goddess Venus emerging from the sea – fully grown, the painting is renowned for its sensual beauty and its celebration of classical Greek mythology. Originally commissioned by a member of the influential Medici family, The Birth of Venus showcases Botticelli’s mastery of Renaissance style. The goddess is depicted emerging from a scallop shell, surrounded by the wind god Zephyrus and the nymph Chloris. The painting’s harmonious composition, vibrant colors, and exquisite details have made it a beloved and enduring symbol of love, beauty, and the Renaissance era.
9. Las Meninas
- Artist: Diego Velázquez
- Date: 1656
- Where to see it: Museo del Prado (Madrid)
Madrid is the only city in this roundup where you’ll find two of the most famous paintings in the world, the first being “Guernica” at No. 7 and “Las Maninas” here at No. 9. Along with being the most famous painting of Diego Velázquez`s, “Las Meninas” is also one of his largest artwork. Art critics have been fascinated for centuries by the complexity of this work. The painting does double duty as a portrait. It serves as a group portrait of Spanish royalty, but it’s also a self-portrait of Velázquez himself at work (on the left).
10 . Creation of Adam
- Artist: Michelangelo
- Date: 1508 to 1512
- Where to see it: Sistine Chapel (Vatican City)
“Creation of Adam” is one of the most famous works by Michelangelo, covering a section of the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling. This painting is a heavenly depiction of God and Adam with outstretched arms, their fingers nearly touching. The Creation of Adam is also the most replicated image in history. Adam’s muscular form hints at Michelangelo’s other talent – his “David” is possibly the world’s most famous sculpture. You can see the towering marble statue at the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence.
Conclusion
Much like love and gravity, art transcends time and space, tying our personal and universal understanding of everything. The artworks we have explored are not just the most famous paintings in the world. They are the timeless expressions of human experience, reflecting the complexities, emotions, and stories that define our existence. Each work of art speaks a language that resonates across generations and cultures—after all, art is a reflection of the world and the people within it.
