More than $850 million — that’s the estimated value of the legendary Mona Lisa painting. Nevertheless, one of the most famous paintings and an iconic Renaissance art piece is not for sale. Under French heritage law, an artwork declared priceless is prohibited from being bought or sold. Although you might not be able to take the painting home, you can still take a glimpse at the iconic smiling lady in the Louvre for less than the cost of a meal at Mickey D’s.
However, Leonardo Da Vinci, arguably one of the most famous portraitists who ever lived, isn’t the only face behind some of the best artworks of all time. Art and history fanatics, and just regular folks, really, must know other famous artists such as Michelangelo, Salvador Dalí, the geniuses behind some of the most famous still life paintings, Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh, and many other talented painters who changed art history forever. Luckily, there is no need to be an art major to recognize some of their most famous paintings.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of famous artworks from some of the most brilliant artists who brought color to history. Famous watercolor paintings, lifelike portrait paintings, and the best of still life, you name it! There’s plenty to recall (or discover). We even threw some dark, even scary paintings into the mix! Take a look and let us know which famous artwork or painter is your favorite. Also, while it was our job to gather the most famous paintings, it’s now up to you to rank them. The more upvotes the artwork receives, the higher it will be on the list, so get upvoting your favorites!
#124 Christ In The House Of Martha And Mary by Jan Brueghel the Younger, Peter Paul Rubens
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4points
#133 The Fighting Temeraire by J. M. W. Turner
Artist: Joseph Mallord William Turner | Year (completed): 1839 | Period: Romanticism
For many Britons, Temeraire served as both a reminder of Britain's lengthy history of military prowess and a tangible link to the veterans of the Napoleonic Wars. In this watercolor, Turner honors Temeraire's valiant past while also illustrating a technical advancement that has already started to impact modern life. Positioned close to the canvas' left side, the boat is painted in white, grey, and brown tones, giving it a ghostly appearance. A tiny black tugboat, whose steam engine is apparently capable of handling its larger counterpart, pulls the mighty ship forward. In this watercolor, Turner illustrated how rapidly tradition and history were supplanted by the newfound steam engines of the Industrial Revolution.
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3points
#140 Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? by Paul Gauguin
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3points
