There are works of art that seem to hit the viewer over the head, stunning and amazing. Others draw you into thought and a search for layers of meaning and secret symbolism. Some paintings are shrouded in secrets and mystical mysteries, while others surprise with exorbitant prices.
We carefully reviewed all the major achievements in world painting and selected two dozen of the strangest paintings from them. Salvador Dali, whose works completely fall within the format of this material and are the first to come to mind, were not included in this collection on purpose.
It is clear that “strangeness” is a rather subjective concept and everyone has their own amazing paintings that stand out from other works of art. We will be glad if you share them in the comments and tell us a little about them.
"Scream"
Edvard Munch. 1893, cardboard, oil, tempera, pastel.
National Gallery, Oslo.
The Scream is considered a landmark expressionist event and one of the most famous paintings in the world.
There are two interpretations of what is depicted: it is the hero himself who is gripped by horror and silently screams, pressing his hands to his ears; or the hero closes his ears from the cry of the world and nature sounding around him. Munch wrote four versions of “The Scream,” and there is a version that this painting is the fruit of manic-depressive psychosis from which the artist suffered. After a course of treatment at the clinic, Munch did not return to work on the canvas.
“I was walking along the path with two friends. The sun was setting - suddenly the sky turned blood red, I paused, feeling exhausted, and leaned against the fence - I looked at the blood and flames over the bluish-black fjord and city. My friends moved on, and I stood, trembling with excitement, feeling an endless scream piercing nature,” Edvard Munch said about the history of the creation of the painting.
“Where did we come from? Who are we? Where are we going?"
Paul Gauguin. 1897-1898, oil on canvas.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
According to Gauguin himself, the painting should be read from right to left - three main groups of figures illustrate the questions posed in the title.
Three women with a child represent the beginning of life; the middle group symbolizes the daily existence of maturity; in the final group, according to the artist’s plan, “the old woman, approaching death, seems reconciled and given over to her thoughts,” at her feet “a strange white bird ... represents the uselessness of words.”
The deeply philosophical painting of the post-impressionist Paul Gauguin was painted by him in Tahiti, where he fled from Paris. Upon completion of the work, he even wanted to commit suicide: “I believe that this painting is superior to all my previous ones and that I will never create something better or even similar.” He lived another five years, and so it happened.
"Guernica"
Pablo Picasso. 1937, oil on canvas.
Reina Sofia Museum, Madrid.
Guernica presents scenes of death, violence, brutality, suffering and helplessness, without specifying their immediate causes, but they are obvious. It is said that in 1940, Pablo Picasso was summoned to the Gestapo in Paris. The conversation immediately turned to the painting. “Did you do this?” - “No, you did it.”
The huge fresco painting “Guernica,” painted by Picasso in 1937, tells the story of a raid by a Luftwaffe volunteer unit on the city of Guernica, as a result of which the city of six thousand was completely destroyed. The painting was painted literally in a month - the first days of work on the painting, Picasso worked for 10-12 hours, and already in the first sketches one could see the main idea. This is one of the best illustrations of the nightmare of fascism, as well as human cruelty and grief.
"Portrait of the Arnolfini couple"
Jan van Eyck. 1434, wood, oil.
London National Gallery, London.
The famous painting is completely filled with symbols, allegories and various references - right down to the signature “Jan van Eyck was here”, which turned the painting not just into a work of art, but into a historical document confirming the reality of the event at which the artist was present.
The portrait, supposedly of Giovanni di Nicolao Arnolfini and his wife, is one of the most complex works of the Western school of Northern Renaissance painting.
In Russia, over the past few years, the painting has gained great popularity due to Arnolfini’s portrait resemblance to Vladimir Putin.
"Demon Seated"
Mikhail Vrubel. 1890, oil on canvas.
State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.
"The hands resist him"
Bill Stoneham. 1972.
This work, of course, cannot be ranked among the masterpieces of world painting, but the fact that it is strange is a fact.
There are legends surrounding the painting with a boy, a doll and his hands pressed against the glass. From “people are dying because of this picture” to “the children in it are alive.” The picture looks really creepy, which gives rise to a lot of fears and speculation among people with weak psyches.
The artist insisted that the painting depicted himself at the age of five, that the door represented the dividing line between the real world and the world of dreams, and the doll was a guide who could guide the boy through this world. The hands represent alternative lives or possibilities.
The painting gained notoriety in February 2000 when it was put up for sale on eBay with a backstory saying that the painting was “haunted.” “Hands Resist Him” was bought for $1,025 by Kim Smith, who was then simply inundated with letters with creepy stories and demands to burn the painting.
This is exactly how Capricorns imagine an ideal love story: an elderly couple makes jam in the courtyard of their own house. And they do this, apparently, with great pleasure. In any case, the decanter on the table hints to us that the lovers have decided to combine business with pleasure. Yes, exactly lovers. Because Capricorns fall in love for life, and their feelings do not fade over the years - just like the feelings of their partners. After all, in fact, there is nothing difficult about making jam alone. But happiness is when he takes the seeds out of the cherries, and she removes the foam. And even after fifty years of marriage it is the same happiness.
Aquarius - Marc Chagall, "The Walk"
The heroes of the picture are Marc Chagall himself and his wife Bella: the artist was in love with her all his life and, even after being widowed, did not paint any other women. Therefore, many are sure that this picture tells us: “Love gives you wings.” But Chagall has a painting “Over the City”, where he and Bella are flying. And here, it seems, the happy hero of the picture is about to take off not so much from happiness, but because a beautiful lady is dragging him into the sky. By the way, given that Chagall has a bird in his other hand, he wanted to tell us that he was lucky to get both a tit in his hands and a pie in the sky. Something similar will happen to those who marry an Aquarius. If, of course, they know how to stand firmly on the ground and take off at the right moment. Aquarius will not settle for anything less. It will fly away, sir.
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Pisces - Valentin Serov, “The Rape of Europa”
Europe, as we know, was kidnapped not by anyone, but by Zeus himself in the form of a bull. He kidnapped, took to the island of Crete and turned into a handsome man, from whom Europe gave birth to three sons. And then everything was fine with her: Europe married the Cretan king, the childless Asterion, and he left the throne to the sons of Europe from Zeus. But that was all later, but for now Zeus in the form of a bull kidnaps Europa, and this is the ideal love story of the Fish: let the male move his hooves himself, and quickly, and she will just sit beautifully.
Aries - Edmund Layton, Knighting
Edmund Leighton was, by all accounts, an amazing man: he lived in prim Victorian England and wrote mostly about the even less cheerful Middle Ages. But he wrote in such a way that everyone immediately wants to buy a time machine and go to this wonderful fairy tale. Rare talent. Aries young ladies also have the same talent, only in real life: they somehow mysteriously manage to create a beautiful sunny world around themselves, into which they are ready to invite a man. If he, of course, understands when it’s time to kneel down, bow his head and call the Aries young lady his mistress. If he doesn’t understand, take his head off his shoulders. Aries need real knights. Did he think he was in a fairy tale?
Taurus - Boris Kustodiev, “The Sailor and the Sweetheart” 1920
If Taurus were asked to choose a painting in which to live, they would certainly choose Kustodiev, because his canvases always depict simple human happiness: sunny weather, cozy houses, delicious food and fat cats. And endlessly happy and satisfied women with life. And love, in the understanding of Taurus, is also not some dull suffering, but simple human happiness. Here is a sailor: he bought his sweetheart beautiful rings, a rose, a fox for her collar and took her for a walk in public. Because why a fox, one might ask, if there is nowhere to take it for a walk, right? And we understand why the sweetheart is happy, but notice how the sailor is bursting with happiness. And, by the way, he didn’t buy anything for himself except a cigar. The right man!
Gemini - Gustav Klimt, "The Kiss"
By the way, this picture was painted not only in oil, but also in gold leaf. That is, it is already unclear at first glance in what space this couple is located, but the canvas also shines, confusing. But if you look closely, it’s clear that lovers are kissing on a rock overgrown with flowers, somewhere far from the outside world. This is, of course, wonderful. This is roughly what Gemini young ladies in love do - they drag their sweetheart into their golden inner Mongolia, shining with gold. But, however, you need to keep in mind that you can easily fall from a flower cliff into the underworld. Klimt didn’t write it, but you know: it’s definitely there. And, what’s worse, you won’t be able to avoid falling there. As a consolation, we inform you that Gemini regularly soars upward: back and forth, back and forth, it’s nice for you and me. Yes, Gemini has a unique concept of what is pleasant.
Cancer - Karl Bryullov, “Family” (“Waiting for a Child”)
It is usually unclear to Cancer young ladies why they should fall in love if they do not create the right family. And the right family is, of course, a family in which there is someone to take care of. For example, about a future baby, for whom the father is making a cradle and the mother is sewing a shirt. Well, until the baby is born, you can take care of the little dog. In general, this painting by Bryullov is the ideal embodiment of true happiness: a sunny day, a cozy home, pleasant chores. But the most important thing in real happiness is the expectation of something wonderful that will happen very soon. Well, happy dogs with their lives are also an indispensable component of true love, but of course.
Leo - Titian, "Danae"
It was not by chance that we chose Titian’s Danae. Firstly, she is the most beautiful, and secondly, it is on Titian’s canvas that it is noticeable that Danae lies there beautifully for a reason: she lies under the rain of pure gold. We don’t know how physically pleasant it is to get hit on the knee with a piece of even soft metal, but we have no questions about moral satisfaction: how long have you been showered with gold? That's the same thing. This story is only about Lionesses. And this, by the way, is not just a rain of gold - this is Zeus, who decided to enter Danae’s prison in such a memorable way. We hope that now everyone understands how to properly approach Lionesses?
Virgo - Hugo Van Der Goes, "The Fall"
The canvas is a little creepy for the modern eye, as were most of the Flemish paintings of that time. But not in the opinion of Virgo. In her opinion, it very correctly depicts the first love story in the universe. Adam, judging by his facial expression, has gone out into Inner Mongolia and is not taking any part in what is happening. The insidious tempting snake turned into a humanoid lizard, completely amazed at what was happening. And only Eva is completely fine: she has a completely meaningful expression on her face, which seems to tell us: “I know what I’m doing!” Yes, she is definitely confident in herself and picks an apple not because some orphan reptile offered it to her, but because it’s time to change the structure of the world. Well, who if not her, right? And judging by the fact that Eve has clearly been in a position for a long time, the tempting serpent has nothing to do with it at all. He seems to be just Evin's pet. Almost like Adam. Now Virgo will treat them with surprise apples!
Libra - Guillaume Signac, "The Embrace of Pierrot"
The perfect story about Libra: she is, of course, a mysterious woman in a mask - supposedly not recognized by anyone. He, of course, is in the image of a sublime sufferer. Well, that is, Pierrot, of course, is a model loser: a sad goner, for some reason trying to compete with Harlequin. It's not good to compete, of course. But then you can cry, recite beautiful poems and invite death to yourself. Oh, how touching! But in general, here Pierrot behaves like an experienced seducer. This is what Libra needs: let him be a sensitive, creative, exalted person, but let him grab his chest like a wild male! It doesn’t matter that one thing contradicts the other: Libra manages to find them somewhere. And where - they don’t tell anyone.
Scorpio - Rene Magritte, "The Lovers"
As a matter of fact, Scorpio’s feelings are exhaustively described by this picture: it is a mystery, shrouded in darkness. Some art critics tried to interpret the plot of the painting in the spirit of “Love is Blind,” but this, of course, is too banal for Magritte, and for Scorpio, by the way, too. It is not love that is blind, but passion that leads to blindness. If you don’t believe me, try falling in love with a Scorpio lady. And let no one be deceived by the fact that the woman’s face in the picture is also covered: Scorpios see right through everyone and, believe me, do this not with their eyes.
Sagittarius - Pierre Auguste Renoir, "Dance in the Country"
Don’t let the title of the picture confuse you - we are not talking about some farm where you can only twist the tails of cows. This is a French village, perhaps a seaside one. A couple dances on the open terrace of a restaurant, in the shade of chestnut trees. A little behind the table they were probably sitting at. An ideal picture from a Sagittarius point of view. Because there is no need to complicate things! You need to eat deliciously, drink wine with pleasure, and then dance - because all this is simple human happiness. But, of course, doing all this in a restaurant in a seaside French village is much more pleasant than in some Prostokvashino. But just so you know, Sagittarians usually don’t mind twisting the tails of cows. With the same happy expression on her face as the lady in the painting.
Today we present to your attention twenty paintings that are worthy of attention and recognition. These paintings were painted by famous artists, and they should be known not only by those who engage in art, but also by ordinary mortals, since art colors our lives, aesthetics deepens our view of the world. Give art its due place in your life...
1. “The Last Supper.” Leonardo Da Vinci, 1495 - 1498
Monumental painting by Leonardo da Vinci depicting the scene of Christ's last meal with his disciples. Created in 1495-1498 in the Dominican monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan.
The painting was commissioned by Leonardo from his patron, Duke Ludovico Sforza and his wife Beatrice d'Este. The lunettes above the painting, formed by a ceiling with three arches, are painted with the Sforza coat of arms. The painting began in 1495 and was completed in 1498; work proceeded intermittently. The date of the start of work is not certain, since "the archives of the monastery were destroyed, and the negligible part of the documents that we have dates back to 1497, when the painting was almost completed."
The painting became a milestone in the history of the Renaissance: the correctly reproduced depth of perspective changed the direction of the development of Western painting.
It is believed that many secrets and hints are hidden in this picture - for example, there is an assumption that the image of Jesus and Judas was copied from the same person. When Da Vinci painted the picture, in his vision Jesus personified good, while Judas was pure evil. And when the master found “his Judas” (a drunkard from the street), it turned out that, according to historians, this drunkard several years earlier served as a prototype for painting the image of Jesus. Thus, we can say that this picture captured a person at different periods of his life.
2. “Sunflowers”. Vincent Van Gogh, 1887
The title of two cycles of paintings by the Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh. The first series was made in Paris in 1887. It is dedicated to lying flowers. The second series was completed a year later, in Arles. She depicts a bouquet of sunflowers in a vase. Van Gogh's friend Paul Gauguin acquired two Parisian paintings.
The artist painted sunflowers eleven times. The first four paintings were created in Paris in August - September 1887. Large cut flowers lie like some strange creatures dying before our eyes.
3. “The Ninth Wave.” Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky?, 1850.
One of the most famous paintings by the Russian marine painter Ivan Aivazovsky is kept in the Russian Museum.
The painter depicts the sea after a severe night storm and shipwrecked people. The rays of the sun illuminate the huge waves. The largest of them - the ninth shaft - is ready to fall on people trying to escape on the wreckage of the mast.
Despite the fact that the ship is destroyed and only the mast remains, the people on the mast are alive and continue to fight the elements. The warm colors of the picture make the sea not so harsh and give the viewer hope that people will be saved.
Created in 1850, the painting “The Ninth Wave” immediately became the most famous of all his marinas and was acquired by Nicholas I.
4. “Makha naked.” Francisco Goya, 1797-1800
Painting by Spanish artist Francisco Goya, painted around 1797-1800. Pairs with the painting “Maja Dressed” (La maja vestida). The paintings depict Macha, a Spanish townswoman of the 18th-19th centuries, one of the artist’s favorite subjects. "Maja Nude" is one of the earliest works of Western art to depict a fully nude woman without mythological or negative connotations.
5. “Flight of Lovers.” Marc Chagall, 1914-1918
Work on the painting “Above the City” began back in 1914, and the master applied the final touches only in 1918. During this time, Bella turned from a lover not only into an adored wife, but also the mother of their daughter Ida, forever becoming the painter’s main muse. The union of the rich daughter of a hereditary jeweler and a simple Jewish youth, whose father made a living by unloading herring, can only be called a misalliance, but love was stronger and overcame all conventions. It was this love that inspired them, lifting them to heaven.
Karina portrays Chagall’s two loves at once – Bella and Vitebsk, dear to her heart. The streets are presented in the form of houses separated by a high dark fence. The viewer will not immediately notice a goat grazing to the left of the center of the picture, and a simple man with his pants down in the foreground - humor from the painter, breaking out of the general context and romantic mood of the work, but this is all Chagall...
6. “The Face of War.” Salvador Dali, 1940.
Painting by Spanish artist Salvador Dali, painted in 1940.
The painting was created on the way to the USA. Impressed by the tragedy unfolding in the world and the bloodthirstiness of politicians, the master begins work on the ship. Located in the Boijmans-van Beuningen Museum in Rotterdam.
Having lost all hope of a normal life in Europe, the artist leaves his beloved Paris for America. War covers the Old World and seeks to take over the rest of the world. The master does not yet know that his stay in the New World for eight years will make him truly famous, and his works will become masterpieces of world painting.
7. "Scream" Edvard Munch, 1893
“The Scream” (Norwegian Skrik) is a series of paintings by Norwegian expressionist artist Edvard Munch created between 1893 and 1910. They depict a human figure screaming in despair against a blood-red sky and an extremely generalized landscape background. In 1895, Munch created a lithograph on the same subject.
The red, fiery hot sky covered the cold fjord, which, in turn, gives birth to a fantastic shadow, similar to some kind of sea monster. Tension has distorted space, lines are broken, colors are inconsistent, perspective is destroyed.
Many critics believe that the plot of the picture is the fruit of the sick imagination of a mentally ill person. Some people see in the work a premonition of an environmental disaster, others decide which mummy inspired the author to create this work.
8. “The Girl with a Pearl Earring.” Jan Vermeer, 1665
The painting “Girl with a Pearl Earring” (Netherlands: “Het meisje met de parel”) was painted around 1665. Currently kept in the Mauritshuis Museum, The Hague, the Netherlands, and is the hallmark of the museum. The painting, nicknamed the Dutch Mona Lisa, or Mona Lisa of the North, is painted in the Tronie genre.
Thanks to Peter Webber’s film “Girl with a Pearl Earring” in 2003, a huge number of people far from painting learned about the wonderful Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer, as well as about his most famous painting “Girl with a Pearl Earring”.
9. "Tower of Babel." Pieter Bruegel, 1563
Famous painting by artist Pieter Bruegel. The artist created at least two paintings based on this subject.
The painting is located in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.
There is a story in the Bible about how the inhabitants of Babylon tried to build a high tower to reach heaven, but God made them speak different languages, ceased to understand each other, and the tower remained unfinished.
10. "Algerian women." Pablo Picasso, 1955
“Women of Algeria” is a series of 15 paintings created by Picasso in 1954–1955 based on the paintings of Eugene Delacroix; the paintings are distinguished by the letters assigned by the artist from A to O. “Version O” was painted on February 14, 1955; for some time it belonged to the famous American art collector of the 20th century, Victor Ganz.
Pablo Picasso's painting "Women of Algeria (Version O)" sold for $180 million.
11. "New Planet". Konstantin Yuon, 1921
Russian Soviet painter, master of landscape, theater artist, art theorist. Academician of the USSR Academy of Arts. People's Artist of the USSR. Winner of the Stalin Prize, first degree. Member of the All-Union Communist Party since 1951.
This amazing painting “New Planet”, created in 1921 and not at all typical of the realist artist Yuon, is one of the brightest works that embodied the image of the changes that became the October Revolution in the second decade of the 20th century. A new system, a new way and a new way of thinking for the newly emerging Soviet society. What awaits humanity now? Bright future? They didn’t think about it then, but the fact that Soviet Russia and the whole world was entering an era of change was obvious, as was the rapid birth of a new planet.
12. “Sistine Madonna.” Raphael Santi, 1754
A painting by Raphael, which has been in the Old Masters Gallery in Dresden since 1754. It belongs to the generally recognized peaks of the High Renaissance.
The painting, huge in size (265 × 196 cm, as the size of the painting is indicated in the Dresden Gallery catalog), was created by Raphael for the altar of the church of the monastery of St. Sixtus in Piacenza, commissioned by Pope Julius II. There is a hypothesis that the painting was painted in 1512-1513 in honor of the victory over the French who invaded Lombardy during the Italian Wars, and the subsequent inclusion of Piacenza into the Papal States.
13. “Repentant Mary Magdalene.” Titian (Tiziano Vecellio), painted around 1565
A painting painted around 1565 by the Italian artist Titian Vecellio. Belongs to the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. Sometimes the date of creation is given as "1560s".
The model for the painting was Julia Festina, who amazed the artist with her shock of golden hair. The finished canvas greatly impressed the Duke of Gonzaga, and he decided to order a copy of it. Later, Titian, changing the background and posing of the woman, wrote a couple more similar works.
14. "Mona Lisa". Leonardo Da Vinci, 1503-1505
Portrait of Mrs. Lisa del Giocondo, (Italian. Ritratto di Monna Lisa del Giocondo) - a painting by Leonardo da Vinci, located in the Louvre (Paris, France), one of the most famous works of painting in the world, which is believed to be a portrait of Lisa Gherardini, the wife of the Florentine silk merchant Francesco del Giocondo, painted around 1503-1505 .
According to one of the put forward versions, “Mona Lisa” is a self-portrait of the artist.
15. “Morning in a pine forest”, Shishkin Ivan Ivanovich, 1889.
Painting by Russian artists Ivan Shishkin and Konstantin Savitsky. Savitsky painted bears, but the collector Pavel Tretyakov erased his signature, so that the author of the painting is often indicated alone.
The idea for the painting was suggested to Shishkin by Savitsky, who later acted as a co-author and depicted the figures of the bear cubs. These bears, with some differences in poses and numbers (at first there were two of them), appear in the preparatory drawings and sketches. Savitsky turned out the animals so well that he even signed the painting together with Shishkin.
16. “We didn’t expect it.” Ilya Repin, 1884-1888
Painting by Russian artist Ilya Repin (1844-1930), painted in 1884-1888. It is part of the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery.
The painting, shown at the XII traveling exhibition, is part of a narrative cycle dedicated to the fate of the Russian revolutionary populist.
17. “Bal at the Moulin de la Galette”, Pierre Auguste Renoir, 1876.
A painting painted by the French artist Pierre Auguste Renoir in 1876.
The place where the painting is located is the Musée d’Orsay. Moulin de la Galette is an inexpensive tavern in Montmartre, where students and working youth of Paris gathered.
18. “Starry Night.” Vincent Van Gogh, 1889.
De sterrennacht- a painting by the Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh, painted in June 1889, with a view of the pre-dawn sky over a fictional town from the eastern window of the artist’s home in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Since 1941 it has been kept at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Considered one of Van Gogh's best works and one of the most significant works of Western painting.
19. “The Creation of Adam.” Michelangelo, 1511.
Fresco by Michelangelo, painted around 1511. The fresco is the fourth of nine central compositions of the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
“The Creation of Adam” is one of the most outstanding compositions of the Sistine Chapel painting. God the Father flies in infinite space, surrounded by wingless angels, with a flowing white tunic. The right hand is extended towards Adam's hand and almost touches it. Adam's body lying on the green rock gradually begins to move and awakens to life. The entire composition is concentrated on the gesture of two hands. The hand of God gives the impulse, and the hand of Adam receives it, giving vital energy to the whole body. By the fact that their hands do not touch, Michelangelo emphasized the impossibility of connecting the divine and the human. In the image of God, according to the artist’s plan, it is not the miraculous principle that prevails, but gigantic creative energy. In the image of Adam, Michelangelo glorifies the strength and beauty of the human body. In fact, what appears before us is not the creation of man itself, but the moment at which he receives a soul, a passionate search for the divine, a thirst for knowledge.
20. “Kiss in the starry sky.” Gustav Klimt, 1905-1907
Painting by the Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, painted in 1907-1908. The canvas belongs to the period of Klimt’s work, called the “golden”, the last work of the author in his “golden period”.
On a rock, on the edge of a flower meadow, in a golden aura, lovers stand completely immersed in each other, fenced off from the whole world. Due to the uncertainty of the place of what is happening, it seems that the couple depicted in the picture is moving into a cosmic state that is not subject to time and space, on the other side of all historical and social stereotypes and cataclysms. Complete solitude and the man's face turned back only emphasize the impression of isolation and detachment in relation to the observer.
Source – Wikipedia, muzei-mira.com, say-hi.me
20 paintings that everyone should know (history of painting) updated: November 23, 2016 by: website
Each of us has our own specific knowledge and experience, our own preferences and prejudices. As they say: “All markers have different tastes and colors.”
Some people like black, some like red, some like cubism, some like the Renaissance. There's nothing you can do about it. However, in my opinion, each of us should have a certain “base” - knowledge on the basis of which we can then build comparative series and draw parallels.
This is why we go to school, get higher education,. As part of this very self-development, I propose to get acquainted with the most striking, interesting and unusual works of world painting. Perhaps someone will look at them for the first time, and someone will remember why they love this or that artist so much, someone will want to learn something new and start looking for all the paintings of the author they liked, but one way or another everyone will be able to complement their “comparative series” and see the crowning achievements of authors in their genre.
(All the paintings are presented in a free order - I find them all interesting and eloquent, so, in my opinion, there is no point in putting them in any kind of rating)
1. “Impressions. Sunrise". Claude Monet, 1872
A wonderful, atmospheric picture, which at one time gave its name to an equally atmospheric movement in art - impressionism. After seeing it at an exhibition in 1874, critics began to call Monet and his paintings “impressionistic.”
The port of Le Havre in the early days, a lonely boat - all these are classic attributes of Monet. His landscapes always reflected the calm and at the same time the eternal movement and fleeting nature of nature.
The painting has almost always been (and is now) in the Marmottan-Monet Museum. She survived her abduction, attempts to “place” her somewhere and, after a long search, her return to her rightful place.
2. “Scream.” Edwar Munch, 1893
This picture has always been and now remains incredibly curious. It would seem that this is not a work of the High Renaissance. There are no precisely adjusted strokes that merge into a single picture and accurately convey facial features or the mood of the picture.
A slightly angular, sketchy character who simply stands on a bridge has been arousing interest and discussion for more than a century. One of the hottest debates surrounding this work recently was the sale of this painting (one of four versions) at auction for $120 million.
As already mentioned, there are 4 versions of this picture in total - their essence is the same. They differ only in the materials with which the picture was painted.
You are unlikely to see the fourth version of the painting that was sold for a lot of money anywhere now (unless you are friends with the buyer). But the second, no less interesting version of this work of art can be seen in the Oslo National Gallery.
This canvas is also often used in modern pop culture and is inspired by it. Let’s take, for example, a mask from the movie “Scream” or characters from the science fiction series “Doctor Who” - when you look at them, certain associations immediately appear in your head.
3.”Algerian women”. Pablo Picasso, 1955
In fact, this is another of Picasso’s paintings, painted in his favorite style in the late period of his creativity. There are a total of 15 paintings with this name in variations. Now we are seeing the last 15th work.
What's so noteworthy here, you ask? It's simple. The 15th painting (or officially called “Version O”) of this series is the most expensive painting sold at an official public auction - $179.3 million.
Now it is in the private collection of a billionaire in Qatar.
4. “When is the wedding.” Paul Gauguin, 1892
Gauguin is a prominent representative of post-impressionism, and all of his paintings have a distinct style. This picture, in fact, reflects the typical style of the artist - a rich scene, bright colors, some neglect of details in favor of displaying the general mood of the picture.
What makes this particular picture so unique?
This painting is another representative of paintings sold for huge sums at private and public auctions. This painting was sold to the Qatar Museum Authority for a previously unheard of $300 million.
5. “Turquoise Marilyn.” Andy Warhol, 1964
The second half of the twentieth century was famous for its unusual characters in various fields of culture and art and, of course, it is impossible to forget such a bright personality as Andy Warhol.
Everything he did, from his paintings to films, showed his originality and creativity.
This painting, along with his other works, is a “variegated” representative of pop art and is one of his longest works - $80 million.
6. “Suprematist composition.” Kazimir Malevich, 1916
Suprematism in Soviet culture was not received with the required enthusiasm, and it can be said that Kazimir Malevich achieved success and recognition at that time not for his works, but rather for his love for experiments that were not completely understandable. “Suprematist Composition” is just one such experiment.
However, abroad his work was perceived a little differently from the very beginning, and therefore no one was surprised at the price for which this painting was sold - $60 million.
7. “The constancy of time.” Salvador Dali, 1931
This painting is used in modern art (they are inspired by it, they make works “based on it”), its elements can often be found in design.
In a word, this picture is a vivid example of Salvador’s extraordinary talent, reflecting his inner world and an interesting angle of view on everything that happens around him.
8. “Mona Lisa.” Leonardo Da Vinci, 1603-1505
An undoubted masterpiece of the genius of the Renaissance. The painting is as legendary as its author.
Scientific works are written about it, it is glorified in various genres of art, it is already a “household name” - and all this is about a small painting. It is now located in the Louvre, and you can go and admire it if you wish.
9. “The rowers’ breakfast.” Pierre Auguste Renoir, 1881
This is not the most famous painting by Renoir, but, nevertheless, it is no less an excellent representative of its kind and genre.
If you look at this picture, you will be completely immersed in the atmosphere of a summer morning, and you will literally feel the light breeze blowing from the water.
Renoir, like many other impressionists, is always incredibly atmospheric and light.
It was this picture in the already cult film “Amelie” that one of the heroes sang. It was with this girl who drinks water that Amelie herself was associated.
Perhaps you too will find a hero to match yourself, who knows.
10. “Freedom leading the people.” Eugene Delacroix, 1830
Delacroix is a representative of romanticism - it is logical that this painting of his is also a striking example of romantic rebellion against the state and a symbol of victory over enemies.
The painting is one of the artist's most famous works. Exhibited in the Louvre in a large hall dedicated to the work of Eugene.
It is often used as inspiration in modern culture, design and other areas of art.
If you buy perhaps Coldplay's most musically interesting album, you will see that the cover of this collection is precisely this work of art.
End of part 1. To be continued.
Magnificent works of art by the hands of great masters can surprise even people for whom art means little. This is why world-famous museums are among the most popular attractions, attracting millions of visitors a year.
To stand out from the huge number of paintings written throughout the history of art, the artist needs not just talent, but also the ability to express a unique plot in an unusual and very relevant way for his time.
The paintings presented below loudly declare not only the talent of their authors, but also the numerous cultural trends that have come and gone, and the most important historical events that have always been reflected in art.
"Birth of Venus"
This painting, painted by the great Renaissance master Sandro Botticelli, depicts the moment of the beautiful Venus emerging from the sea foam. One of the most attractive aspects of the painting is the modest pose of the goddess and her simple but beautiful face.
"Dogs Play Poker"
Painted by Cassius Coolidge in 1903, a series of 16 paintings depict dogs gathered around a coffee or gaming table playing poker. Many critics recognize these paintings as the canonical depiction of Americans of the era.
Portrait of Madame Recamier
This portrait, painted by Jacques-Louis David, depicts the glittering socialite in a contrastingly minimalist and simple setting, wearing a simple sleeveless white dress. This is a striking example of neoclassicism in portrait art.
№5
This famous painting, painted by Jackson Pollock, is his most iconic work, which vividly depicts the chaos that raged in Pollock's soul and mind. This is one of the most expensive works ever sold by an American artist.
"Son of Man"
"Son of Man", written by Rene Magritte, is a kind of self-portrait, depicting the artist himself in a black suit, but with an apple instead of a face.
"Number 1" ("Royal Red and Blue")
This fairly recent piece, painted by Mark Rothko, is nothing more than brushstrokes of three different shades on a handmade canvas. The painting is currently on display at the Art Institute of Chicago.
"Massacre of the Innocents"
Based on the biblical story of the murder of innocent babies in Bethlehem, Peter Paul Rubens created this eerie and cruel painting that touches the emotions of everyone who looks at it.
"Sunday afternoon on the island of La Grande Jatte"
Created by Georges Seurat, this unique and very popular painting depicts a relaxed weekend atmosphere in a big city. This painting is an excellent example of pointillism, which combines many points into one whole.
"Dance"
"The Dance" by Henri Matisse is an example of a style called Fauvism, which is characterized by bright, almost unnatural colors and shapes and high dynamics.
"American Gothic"
"American Gothic" is a work of art that perfectly symbolizes the image of Americans during the Great Depression. In this painting, Grant Wood depicted a strict, probably religious couple standing in front of a simple house with Gothic-style windows.
"Flower Loader"
This painting by the most popular Mexican painter of the 20th century, Diego Rivera, depicts a man struggling to carry a basket overloaded with bright tropical flowers on his back.
"Whistler's Mother"
Also known as "An Arrangement in Gray and Black. The Artist's Mother", this is one of the most famous paintings by American artist James Whistler. In this painting, Whistler depicted his mother sitting on a chair against a gray wall. The painting uses only black and gray shades.
"The Persistence of Memory"
This is an iconic work by the no less iconic Salvador Dali, the world-famous Spanish surrealist who brought this movement to the forefront of art.
Portrait of Dora Maar
Pablo Picasso is one of the most popular and influential Spanish painters. He is the founder of a style that was sensational in his time, called cubism, which seeks to fragment any object and convey it with clear geometric forms. This painting is the first portrait in the Cubist style.
"Portrait of an artist without a beard"
This painting by Van Gogh is a self-portrait, and a unique one, since it depicts the artist without the usual beard. In addition, this is one of the few paintings by Van Gogh that were sold to private collections.
"Night cafe terrace"
Painted by Vincent van Gogh, this painting depicts a familiar sight in a completely new way, using surprisingly vibrant colors and unusual shapes.
"Composition VIII"
Wassily Kandinsky is recognized as the founder of abstract art, a style that uses shapes and symbols instead of familiar objects and people. "Composition VIII" is one of the artist's first paintings made exclusively in this style.
"Kiss"
One of the first works of art in the Art Nouveau style, this painting is almost entirely done in gold tones. The painting by Gustav Klimt is one of the most striking works of the style.
"Ball at the Moulin de la Galette"
The painting by Pierre Auguste Renoir is a vibrant and dynamic depiction of city life. In addition, this is one of the most expensive paintings in the world.
"Olympia"
In the painting Olympia, Edouard Manet created a real contradiction, almost a scandal, since the naked woman with a gaze is clearly a lover, not veiled by the myths of the classical period. This is one of the early works in the style of realism.
"Third of May 1808 in Madrid"
In this work, Francisco Goya depicted Napoleon's attack on the Spaniards. This is one of the first Spanish paintings to portray the war in a negative light.
"Las Meninas"
Diego Velázquez's most famous painting depicts the five-year-old Infanta Margarita against the background of Velázquez's portrait of her parents.
"Portrait of the Arnolfini couple"
This painting is one of the oldest works of painting. It was painted by Jan van Eyck and depicts Italian businessman Giovanni Arnolfini and his pregnant wife in their home in Bruges.
"Scream"
A painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch depicts a man's face distorted with fear against a blood-red sky. The landscape in the background adds to the dark charm of this painting. In addition, "The Scream" is one of the first paintings made in the style of expressionism, where realism is minimized to allow more freedom for emotions.
"Water lilies"
"Water Lilies" by Claude Monet is part of a series of 250 paintings depicting elements of the artist's own garden. These paintings are exhibited in various art museums around the world.
"Starlight Night"
Van Gogh's Starry Night is one of the most famous images in modern culture. It is currently on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
"The Fall of Icarus"
This painting, painted by Dutch artist Pieter Bruegel, shows man's indifference to the suffering of his fellow men. A strong social theme is shown here in a fairly simple way, using the image of Icarus drowning underwater and people ignoring his suffering.
"The Creation of Adam"
The Creation of Adam is one of several magnificent frescoes by Michelangelo that adorn the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Palace. It depicts the creation of Adam. In addition to depicting ideal human forms, the fresco is one of the first attempts in the history of art to depict God.
"Last Supper"
This fresco by the great Leonardo depicts the last supper of Jesus before his betrayal, arrest and death. In addition to the composition, shapes and colors, discussions of this fresco are replete with theories about hidden symbols and the presence of Mary Magdalene next to Jesus.
"Guernica"
Picasso's Guernica depicts the explosion of the Spanish city of the same name during the Spanish Civil War. This is a black and white picture that negatively depicts fascism, Nazism and their ideas.
"Girl with a Pearl Earring"
This painting by Johannes Vermeer is often called the Dutch Mona Lisa, not only because of its extraordinary popularity, but also because the expression on the girl's face is difficult to capture and explain.
"Beheading of John the Baptist"
Caravaggio's painting very realistically depicts the moment of the murder of John the Baptist in prison. The semi-darkness of the painting and the facial expressions of its characters make it a true classical masterpiece.
"The night Watch"
"The Night Watch" is one of Rembrandt's most famous paintings. It depicts a group portrait of a rifle company led by its officers. A unique aspect of the painting is the semi-darkness, which gives the impression of a night scene.
"School of Athens"
Painted by Raphael in his early Roman period, this fresco depicts famous Greek philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Euclid, Socrates, Pythagoras and others. Many philosophers are depicted as contemporaries of Raphael, for example, Plato - Leonardo da Vinci, Heraclitus - Michelangelo, Euclid - Bramante.
"Mona Lisa"
Probably the most famous painting in the world is Leonardo da Vinci's La Gioconda, better known as the Mona Lisa. This canvas is a portrait of Mrs. Gherardini, attracting attention with a mysterious expression on her face.
