Iconic artwork that we all recognize…
The Scream
This famous image of a tormented figure was the surreal creation of Norwegian artist Edvard Munch in 1893. Munch produced several versions of the painting although the two most famous paintings of the Scream were stolen in 1994 and 2004 respectively; they have since been recovered and can be seen in the National Gallery of Norway and the Munch Museum which is also in Norway.
Girl With A Pearl Earring
This well recognized portrait was painted by Dutchman Johannes Vermeer, although the exact date of when it was painted is unknown. There is very little information known about the creation of the painting or on the life and works of Vermeer. The ambiguity of the painting has inspired a novel and a subsequent Hollywood film about how it was created.
Mona Lisa
Probably the most famous painting of all time by one of the most famous artists of all time. Leonardo Di Vinci’s Mona Lisa is one of the world’s most instantly recognizable images. Like the Girl With A Pearl Earring there is more to this portrait than meets the eye and it is the enigmatic nature of the woman’s subtle smile that makes it so interesting. It can be seen in the Louvre in Paris and continues to fascinate tourists and art critics alike because of the intricate detail and seemingly underlying themes and meanings.
The Creation Of Adam
Definitely one of the most awe inspiring paintings ever created, The Creation Of Adam can be seen on the roof of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. This magnificent creation by Michelangelo is based on stories from the book of Genesis with God’s creation of Adam featuring in the centre of the piece. The sheer scale and detail of this huge painting continues to captivate onlookers and inspire popular culture today.
Starry Night
Perhaps the most famous painting from Vincent Van Gogh, Starry Night has become one of the most instantly recognizable images of modern times. Van Gogh had very limited success and recognition in his own life time; it wasn’t until after his death that his work became famous. He created the painting in 1889 while he was in an asylum and it is currently displayed in the New York Museum of Modern Art.
The Last Supper
The second of Leonardo Da Vinci’s paintings in the list, The Last Supper has generated as much debate and admiration as the Mona Lisa. It depicts the last supper of Christ as told in the New Testament of the Bible. The painting has been surrounded in controversy in recent years as some critics and writers have suggested that the person to the right of Christ is Mary Magdalene and not one of the apostles. This notion was inspiration for Dan Brown’s hugely successful novel, The Da Vinci Code. It can be found on the wall of the dining room of the Santa Maria Delle Grazie in Milan, Italy.
Author Bio: Cecil D’Oliveira is an art enthusiast and owns his own gallery which exhibits and sells
affordable art and royal portraits.
