Every now and then, we come across news of millions of dollars being spent over some of the paintings. But it is not only the price that describes the worth of any great artwork. Some of the art pieces are literally so priceless that they cannot be sold over for the sake of money only. They are meant to showcase the incredible work of these masterpieces.
Contents
Most Famous Paintings
So, here we present to you the list of Top 10 Most Famous Paintings in the World.
10. The Persistence of Memory – Salvador Dali
This artwork is one of the most admired works in the art history. It is also believed that this beautiful art piece is the inspiration behind the Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. It is known to make people think about their life and the way they spend their time. This painting was painted in 1931 by Salvador Dali.
9. The Night Watch – Rembrandt van Rijn
It is considered to be one of the most famous paintings by Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn. It was completed in 1642. This painting depicts a city guard moving out, led by his captain and lieutenant. The name Night Watch came because of the artistic form used for this. The painting was coated with a dark varnish which gave the impression of a night scene which led to name it ‘The Night Watch’. This dark varnish was removed in 1940s. It is on display in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
8. The Birth of Venus – Sandro Botticelli
This painting was created by Sandro Botticelli around 1485-87. It shows the goddess Venus emerging from the sea on a shell which is in line with the myth that explains her birth. The original location and its commissioner still remains a mystery. But according to the famous experts, it is assumed that it commissions to Lorenzo de’ Medici and the original location to be the Villa of Castello. This painting is on showcase in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
7. The Girl with a Pearl Earring – Johannes Vermeer
Also known as “The Dutch Mona Lisa” or “Mona Lisa of the North”, The Girl with a Pearl Earring is painted by the Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer. The painting is not dated and the time of work is unclear. Moreover, there is not much available about Vermeer and his work as well. But a novel was written fictionalizing the circumstances of the painting creation by Tracy Chevalier which inspired a 2003 Hollywood film with Scarlett Johansson as Vermeer’s assistant wearing that pearl earring.
6. Guernica – Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso made this painting to show the tragedies and sufferings of a war on individuals, particularly innocent citizens. He painted this at work in Paris and completed in 1937. It was inspired by the bombing of the Basque town of Guernica in Spain during Spanish Civil War by German bombers who were supporting the Nationalist forces of General Franco. Now, this magnificent painting is on the display in Museo Reina Sofia, Spain.
5. The Scream – Edvard Munch
German Expressionist Edvard Munch painted The Scream between 1893 and 1910. The landscape in the background is Oslofjord viewed from the hill of Ekeberg, Oslo where one man seems to be screaming in agonizing pain. It is believed that the inspiration for this painting came after Munch saw a blood-red sky in the evening which showed him the might of nature. The most interesting part is the use if both paints and pastels to give this painting an effect like no other. In 1994, it was stolen in a high-end arty theft but recovered after some months. Now, it is displayed in the National Gallery, Oslo, Norway.
4. The Starry Night – Vincent van Gogh
Painted by Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh, this painting is one of the most well-known paintings in modern culture. It shows the night over the village of Saint Remy as seen from the asylum in the north with the exceptional use of mixed and blended colors. This usage of colors and textures is possible only by few others. Since 1941, it has been in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. This painting was also the inspiration for the song “Vincent” bu Don McLean.
3. The Creation of Adam – Michelangelo
Generally, most of the paintings are done on canvases and boards but it was Michelangelo who took a step further and produced one of the best artworks on the ceiling of The Sistine Chapel in the Vatican in Rome. Painted between the years 1508 and 1512, central to the ceiling decoration are the nine famous scenes from the Book of Genesis. The biggest attraction of this masterpiece is where God is breathing in life into Adam, the first man on earth. This famous painting has been the subject of several parodies and references.
2. The Last Supper – Leonardo da Vinci
Unlike other paintings which are showcased in a museum or art gallery, this famous painting covers the back wall of the dining hall at Santa Maria Delle Grazie monastery in Milan, Italy. The man behind this beautiful art piece was Leonardo da Vinci who started working on this in 1495 and completed in 1948. This painting depicts the scene of the Last Supper of Jesus with his 12 Apostles where he announced that one of his Apostles would betray him. There are several theories related to it which have been the topic of several books and novels.
1. Mona Lisa – Leonardo da Vinci
The most mysterious, famous and renowned painting of all time, Mona Lisa is truly a masterpiece in its sense. Painted by the greatest artist of all time – Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa is and will ever remain the best artwork one can ever make. Made over the span of 15-16 years, this painting is named for a member of a wealthy family of Florence – Lisa del Giocondo. In 1911, it was stolen by Louvre employee Vincenzo but he was caught selling it to the directors of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Today, Mona Lisa is seen by 6 million people every year in the Louvre in Paris.
These are the most famous paintings of all time.