By Odunmorayo Oke
06 June 2024 | 4:55 pm
Art is a medium that transcends time and culture, captivating audiences across generations and borders. While we agree that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, certain paintings have achieved a level of global recognition and admiration that is unparalleled. In this article, we shall embark on a journey through the archives of art,…
One of the most iconic paintings in the world, The Mona Lisa. Photo – Alamy
Art is a medium that transcends time and culture, captivating audiences across generations and borders. While we agree that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, certain paintings have achieved a level of global recognition and admiration that is unparalleled.
In this article, we shall embark on a journey through the archives of art, exploring the five most popular paintings that have captured the hearts and imaginations of millions.
1. Mona lisa by Leonardo da Vinci
The Mona Lisa. Photo – Alamy
Firstly, The Mona Lisa is one of, if not the most celebrated paintings in the world. It was made by Italian artist, Leonardo da Vinci. Painted between 1503 and 1519, the Mona Lisa, also known as La Gioconda, is an oil painting on a poplar wood board. The art work is celebrated for its perplexing detail, the woman’s sly grin, and the mystery behind her identity. She is said to be Lisa del Giocondo, the wife of a merchant named Francesco del Giocondo.
Furthermore, The Mona Lisa presently hangs in the Louver Museum in Paris, where it draws guests from all around the globe.
READ ALSO: Five World’s Most Expensive Paintings
2. The starry night by Vincent Van Gogh
The starry night by Vincent Van Gogh. Photo – Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries
The Starry Night is a popular art work done by Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh. Painted in June 1889, it portrays the sea from the east-facing window of his refuge room at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, facing dawn, with the inclusion of a make-believe town. Vincent Van Gogh painted this piece during his one year stay at an asylum after suffering from a meltdown in which he cut off his own ear. The painting is known for its technique of utilising swirling brushstrokes.
As of today, The Starry Night is housed in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
3. The last supper by Leonardo da Vinci
The last supper. Photo – Wikimedia Commons
Another showstopper by Leonardo da Vinci, The Last Supper, is one of the most recognised works of art in the world. Painted between 1495 and 1498, it was commissioned for the Dominican monastery Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. In addition, the painting outlines what is implied to be an emotional scene portrayed in the Bible, where Jesus announces that one of the disciples will sell him out and afterwards, starts the Last Supper. Each disciple in the painting is portrayed in a way that Leonardo considered fit for each of their personalities.
4. The scream by Edvard Munch
The scream. Photo – npr
The Scream is a groundbreaking work of expressionism by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. Expressionism is a style of painting in which the artist seeks to express the inner world of his/her emotions rather than external reality.
The painting was made around 1893. It is known for its gory depiction of uneasiness and existential fear. Interestingly, the picture is based on Munch’s experience of a frightful panic attack he had while taking a stroll. Munch recalled the moment saying, “The sun was setting and the clouds turned as red as blood. I sensed a scream passing through nature. I felt as though I could actually hear the scream.”
The Scream is presently on display at the National Display in Oslo, Norway.
5. Girl with a pearl earring by Johannes Vermeer
Girl with a pearl earring. Photo – Britannica
Last but not the least, Girl With A Pearl Earring, painted by Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer around 1665, is regularly referred to as the ‘Dutch Mona Lisa’. Also, this painting is known for its simplicity, magnificence, and the peculiar look of the young lady. The personality of the young lady is unknown, adding to the painting’s allure.
Today, the painting can be seen at the Mauritshuis exhibition hall in The Hague, Netherlands.
