Among the works of art ever created by human hands, there are those masterpieces that have left their mark on the history of mankind forever. These artworks set the tone for artistic movement, established fashion trends of their time, and dictated a new style and new artistic values. But the most important thing is that they have always inspired millions of people for creative daring and new creative discoveries. Every great artist has unique artworks that are known and loved all over the world. It is about these iconic artworks that we want to remind you in our article to enjoy the greatest masterpieces in history together once again.
- MONA LISA BY LEONARDO DA VINCI (1503-1505)
Probably the most famous painting in the world is Leonardo da Vinci’s La Gioconda, better known as Mona Lisa. This painting is a portrait of Madame Gherardini, personifying the ideal woman of the Renaissance. They tried to damage the painting more than once, and in 1911 it was also kidnapped, returning only 2 years later. Admiration for it truly knows no bounds: Napoleon Bonaparte even removed it from the museum and ordered to hang it in his own bedroom. The painting is officially declared priceless, which is not surprising, as this masterpiece is the best art of all time. The only existing price is its $ 3 billion insurance. Mona Lisa is currently kept in the Louvre, Paris.
- THE BIRTH OF VENUS BY SANDRO BOTTICELLI (1486)
Another of the most famous paintings is The Birth of Venus. Botticelli’s painting illustrates the myth of the birth of Aphrodite. The beautiful goddess drifts to the shore in a sea shell, driven by the Zephyr’s wind (West wind), and on the shore, she is met by one of the Graces. The Birth of Venus is well preserved thanks to the fact that Botticelli applied a protective layer of egg yolk to the painting. This masterpiece is kept in Florence in the Uffizi Gallery.
- THE CREATION OF ADAM BY MICHELANGELO BUONARROTI (1511)
Michelangelo’s fresco The Creation of Adam, which adorns the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Palace, is the fourth of the nine famous art pieces of the central composition dedicated to scenes from the Book of Genesis. The fresco illustrates an episode of the first human being created by God. In addition to
depicting ideal human forms, the fresco is one of the first attempts in the history of art to depict God himself.
- THE LAST SUPPER BY LEONARDO DA VINCI (1495—1498)
For more than 500 years of its existence, the famous fresco The Last Supper has been restored at least five times, and the last restoration took 21 years. This fresco by the great Leonardo depicts Jesus’ last supper before his betrayal, arrest, and death. In addition to composition, shapes, and colors, discussions of this fresco are replete with theories about hidden symbols and the presence of Mary Magdalene next to Jesus. As one of the famous art pieces, this important art asset is located in the Santa Maria delle Grazie monastery in Milan.
- SACRED AND PROFANE LOVE BY TIZIANO VECELLI (1515—1516)
The current name of the painting was not given by Titian himself but appeared only two centuries later. The composition of the painting caused a lot of controversy among scientists, but in the end, it was possible to prove that it was a gift for the wedding of the Venetian aristocrat Nicolo Aurelio and the widow Laura Bagarotto. The dress of an earthly girl imitates a wedding dress. The landscape in the background is also symbolic: the road uphill is a symbolic wish of prudence and loyalty, the plan is for mutual understanding and peace, and the rabbits are for fertility. Among other famous art pieces, the painting is in the Galleria Borghese in Rome.
- THE ANCIENT OF DAYS BY WILLIAM BLAKE (1794)
This popular artwork by William Blake is now in the British Museum, London. Along with the original name, two more versions are widespread: The Great Architect or The Creation. The literal name of the painting, The Ancient of Days, is the phrase that was used as the name of God. The main character of the painting is God at the moment of creation, who does not establish order, but limits freedom and denotes the limits of imagination.
- GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING BY JOHANNES VERMEER (1665)
Girl with a Pearl Earring by Dutch artist Jan Vermeer is often referred to as the northern Mona Lisa. This is not only because of its extraordinary popularity but also because the expression on the girl’s face is difficult to capture and explain. Very little is known about the painting: it is not dated, and the name of the girl depicted is unknown. In 2003, based on the novel of the same name by Tracy Chevalier, a film was cut about the hypothetical creation of the painting. Besides stylistic differences,
“Girl with a Pearl Earring” is technically not even a portrait, but “throne”, a Dutch word for a person’s head, but not a complete portrait. In 1881, at an auction in The Hague, the painting was purchased for only two guilders and thirty cents. Between 2012 and 2014, when Mauritshuis was undergoing restoration, Girl with a Pearl Earring went on tour to the USA, Italy, and Japan. Everywhere it gathered huge crowds, which finally strengthened its status as one of the most famous paintings in history. The painting is kept in the Mauritshuis Gallery in The Hague.
- THE KISS BY GUSTAV KLIMT (1907–1908)
The Kiss is one of the first works of art in L’Art Nouveau or modern style. This painting, almost entirely done in gold tones, is one of the most striking artworks of the style. You can see this famous piece by the Austrian artist in Österreichische Galerie Belvedere in Vienna.