Learning about art history can be daunting – there’s a myriad of art styles and personalities to get to know and enjoy, but for that very reason it’s hard to know where to start. A great way for novice art enthusiasts to introduce themselves to the subject is by doing the obvious – exploring the world-famous paintings that have shaped world culture over the centuries.
What exactly does it mean for a painting to be “famous”? There is a plethora of artworks to explore, but some paintings have etched their place in history and captivated audiences for generations. These artworks hold a special place in the global story we tell ourselves about what it is to be human and make sense of our place in the world.
Since the criteria of a “famous” painting can be subjective, we’ve compiled the most Googled paintings in the list below.
1. Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci
Where to find it: Louvre Museum, Paris, France
Style: Renaissance
Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is perhaps the most famous painting in the world. Housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris, this iconic painting is renowned for the subject’s enigmatic smile and da Vinci’s extraordinary technique. The delicate sfumato, a technique of blending colors in a “smoke-like” way, and the painting’s mysterious subject and origins have fascinated art lovers for centuries. The painting’s history of theft and recovery has also added to its mystique.
2. The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh
Where to find it: The Museum of Modern Art, New York, New York
Style: Post-Impressionism
The Starry Night is an expressive, swirling depiction of the night sky, painted by Vincent van Gogh during his hospitalization at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum. This painting captures van Gogh’s vivid imagination and emotional depth, with vibrant colors and dynamic brushstrokes that make the night come alive. The painting's unique style, translation of emotion, and the tragic story of van Gogh’s life have all secured its status in art history.
3. Guernica by Pablo Picasso
Style: Unique, but influenced by Cubism and Surrealism
Where to find it: Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Madrid, Spain
Guernica by Pablo Picasso is a powerful political statement depicting the horrors of the bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. This large mural, with its monochrome palette and fragmented, anguished figures, is a poignant reminder of the brutality of war and the resilience of the human spirit. Due to its stark emotional intensity and Picasso’s groundbreaking art style, this artwork is often regarded as a powerful symbol of anti-war sentiment.
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4. American Gothic by Grant Wood
Where to find it: The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Style: Regionalism
Grant Wood’s American Gothic is a defining image of American art, portraying a stern farmer and his daughter in front of their farmhouse. This painting, with its sharp realism and alluring subjects, offers a glimpse into rural American life and has become a token of Americana.
5. The Scream by Edvard Munch
Where to find it: The National Museum, Oslo, Norway
Style: Unique but influenced by Symbolism and an influence on Expressionism
Edvard Munch’s The Scream is an iconic representation of existential fear. The haunting figure with its agonized expression and the turbulent sky captures a universal feeling of despair and anxiety. Given its striking imagery and exploration of human emotion, this painting is seen by many as a precursor to modern Expressionism and continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
6. The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dalí
Where to find it: The Museum of Modern Art, New York, New York
Style: Surrealism
Salvador Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory is a surreal exploration of time, depicted through melting clocks draped over a dreamlike landscape. This painting, a cornerstone of Surrealism, challenges our perception of reality and time, inviting viewers to delve into the subconscious. Dalí’s ability to merge dreamlike fantasy with meticulous realism has made this painting a touchstone of the Surrealist esthetic.
7. The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo
Where to find it: Sistine Chapel, Vatican City
Style: Renaissance, Fresco
The Creation of Adam is one of the most iconic images in Western art, painted by Michelangelo on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. This fresco depicts the moment when God breathes life into Adam, the first man, through an outstretched hand. The dynamic composition and the powerful depiction of the human form showcase Michelangelo's exceptional skill in anatomy and his ability to convey profound spiritual themes. The Creation of Adam has become a symbol of human potential and divine inspiration, exemplifying the artistic and cultural achievements of the Renaissance.
8. Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer
Where to find it: Mauritshuis, The Hague, Netherlands
Style: Baroque, Dutch Golden Age
Often referred to as the “Mona Lisa of the North,” Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring is a study in quiet beauty and subtle emotion. The subject’s gaze and the luminous quality of the painting have made it one of the most beloved works of art. In this painting, one can examine Vermeer’s masterful use of light and color and the subject’s captivating presence. Many are enthralled with the subject herself, who art historians believe is likely a fictional character concocted by the artist.
9. The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci
Where to find it: Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, Italy
Style: Renaissance
Another masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci, The Last Supper captures the moment Jesus announces that one of his disciples will betray him. The composition’s dramatic use of perspective and the passionate expressions of the disciples make this painting a monumental achievement in Western art. Its fame is further amplified by its religious significance, the innovative techniques used by the artist, and the various restorations and preservations that have kept it in the public eye.
10. The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli
Where to find it: Le Gallerie Degli Uffizi, Florence, Italy
Style: Renaissance
Sandro Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus is a celebration of classical mythology and Renaissance beauty. Depicting the goddess Venus emerging from the sea on a shell, this painting is revered for its graceful lines, harmonious composition, and ethereal beauty. Its significance lies in its embodiment of the ideals of the Renaissance and its lasting influence on the depiction of mythological subjects in art.
11. Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez
Where to find it: Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid, Spain
Style: Baroque
Diego Velázquez’s Las Meninas is a complicated artwork, often hailed as one of the most important paintings in Western art history. Painted in 1656, it portrays a snapshot of the Spanish court. The painting focuses on Infanta Margarita Teresa of Spain surrounded by her entourage, with Velázquez himself depicted at his easel. The intricate composition and clever play with perspective and reflections make it a marvel of technical skill and narrative depth.
12. Water Lilies by Claude Monet
Where to find it: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York and Musée de l’Orangerie, Paris, France
Style: Post-impressionism
Claude Monet’s Water Lilies is a series of approximately 250 paintings that capture the serene beauty of the artist’s garden in Giverny, France. These paintings, with their mesmerizing depictions of light reflecting off the water’s surface, epitomize Monet’s work as one of the great Impressionists. The Water Lilies series is celebrated for its immersive quality, inviting viewers to lose themselves in the tranquil and almost abstract renderings of nature.
13. The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch
Where to find it: Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid, Spain
Style: Northern Renaissance
The Garden of Earthly Delights is a fantastical triptych by the Early Netherlandish painter Hieronymus Bosch. This complex and enigmatic work is divided into three panels: the left panel depicting the Garden of Eden, the central panel illustrating a surreal and hedonistic world of earthly pleasures, and the right panel portraying a hellish scene of damnation. Bosch's intricate detail and imaginative vision create a rich tapestry of allegory and symbolism, reflecting both the moral concerns and the artistic innovations of the Northern Renaissance.
14. A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat
Where to find it: The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Style: Post-impressionism
Georges Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte is a quintessential example of pointillism, a technique where tiny dots of color form an image. This painting, depicting Parisian society leisurely enjoying a sunny day by the Seine River, is celebrated for its meticulous detail and vibrant color palette. The painting displays Seurat’s innovative approach to color theory and composition, which marked a departure from traditional Impressionism.
15. Nighthawks by Edward Hopper
Where to find it: The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Style: American Realism
Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks is a haunting portrayal of urban isolation. The painting depicts a diner late at night, with four patrons who appear disconnected from one another and their surroundings. The contrast between light and shadow, along with the cinematic quality of the scene, creates a mood of quiet desolation and introspection. An evocative depiction of loneliness in the modern city, this painting has become a poignant and enduring image of 20th-century American life.
16. The Kiss by Gustav Klimt
Where to find it: Belvedere Palace, Vienna, Austria
Style: Unique, but influenced by Art Nouveau and Symbolism
Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss is a celebrated painting of the Art Nouveau movement, created between 1907 and 1908 during the artist’s “Golden Period”. The painting depicts an intimate embrace between two figures, adorned in luxurious, ornate robes decorated with intricate patterns of gold leaf. This opulent use of gold, along with the mosaic-like design, creates a mesmerizing, almost ethereal quality. Klimt’s unique style, which blends symbolism, sensuality, and a richly decorative approach, making it a timeless artwork of romantic devotion and artistic beauty.
17. Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird by Frida Kahlo
Where to find it: Harry Ransom Center, Austin, Texas
Style: Unique
Frida Kahlo’s Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird is a profound expression of the artist’s inner pain and resilience. Painted in 1940, this self-portrait features Kahlo adorned with a necklace of thorns that pierce her skin, symbolizing her physical and emotional suffering. The lifeless hummingbird hanging from the necklace, typically a symbol of hope, contrasts sharply with her stoic expression. This painting is celebrated for its unflinching portrayal of pain, cementing Kahlo’s place as a powerful voice and seminal woman artist in history.
18. The Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn
Where to find it: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Style: Baroque, Dutch Golden Age
Rembrandt’s The Night Watch is a painting portraying a city militia, brimming with life and movement. This large painting is celebrated for its representation of light and shadow, detailed characterization, and innovative composition, which showcases Rembrandt’s unparalleled skill. Vermeer’s untraditional depiction of motion and the monumental scale at which the painting was created has made the painting a hallmark of the Dutch Golden Age.
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