The greatest paintings throughout history have inspired countless artists, writers, and satirists for centuries by magnifying the beauty and morals of the civilizations that produced them. Artists like Vincent van Gogh, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci have produced works that have been replicated in modern media and can still be viewed in museums worldwide. Some of the most iconic paintings include “Mona Lisa,” “Starry Night,” “The Scream,” “Girl With a Pearl Earring,” “Creation of Adam,” “The Persistence of Memory,” and “Washington Crossing the Delaware.”
One of the most famous paintings in the world is Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” which symbolizes the Italian Renaissance and depicts Lisa del Giocondo, an Italian noblewoman. Da Vinci began working on the painting in 1503 and made changes to it until 1517. The painting eventually ended up in France, where it currently resides at the Louvre in Paris, immortalized in various parodies and references throughout history.
Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night” is considered his most well-known painting, depicting the night sky over an asylum in southern France. Van Gogh, who was not well-known during his lifetime and died destitute, is now viewed as a misunderstood genius. The unique oil texture and use of blue and yellow paint in “Starry Night” have attracted viewers for centuries, and the painting can be viewed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” is one of the most recognizable depictions of human fear and anxiety in Western art history. The painting, part of a series done by Munch in 1893, has had a long-standing influence on modern art history and has been parodied countless times in Western media. The different works in “The Scream” collection can be viewed at the National Museum and Munch Museum in Oslo, Norway.
Johannes Vermeer’s “Girl With a Pearl Earring” is another iconic female portrait completed in 1665, depicting a young girl with a pearl earring. The painting is referred to as a “tronie,” a term used in Dutch art to describe exaggerated features or facial expressions. “Girl With a Pearl Earring” is currently displayed at the Mauritshuis in The Hague, Netherlands.
Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam” is a masterpiece in Western art history, painted on the ceiling of the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel between 1508 and 1512. The painting depicts God and Adam, with their arms outstretched and nearly touching fingers, in a realistic tone with magnified physical characteristics. Meanwhile, Salvador Dalí’s “The Persistence of Memory” depicts four melting clocks along the coast of Catalonia and is considered one of the most iconic images of the Surrealist art movement.
Lastly, Emanuel Leutze’s “Washington Crossing the Delaware,” completed in 1851, is an iconic depiction of the Revolutionary War and American patriotism. The oil-on-canvas work, which was destroyed in World War II and later restored, is currently displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. These paintings continue to inspire and captivate viewers, showcasing the beauty and significance of art throughout history.
