Irrespective of whether you like art or not, you would have wondered what are the most famous paintings in the world. Well, I created this list of the most famous paintings for art lovers and general audiences. We know that certain paintings attract huge bids at auctions. But what is interesting to know is that not all famous paintings were expensive. In fact, some would have been criticized upon release, but over time, these paintings have established themselves as the greatest works of art ever. The most famous paintings in the world are usually found in museums. Artists like Leonardo Da Vinci, Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh are well-known throughout history. Some of the famous paintings in this list were very controversial. Nevertheless, these paintings established themselves as the most famous paintings ever.The Top 10 Most Famous Paintings in the world are as follows:
Most Famous Paintings
10. Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn
Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn
To start off this top 10 list we have the Night Watch. Rembrandt van Rijn made this famous painting back in 1642. The painting shows the city guard moving out. Captain Frans Banning Cocq is depicted in the painting. One interesting thing about the painting is that it is actually showing day time, but because of a certain darkness in it, the name Night Watch was given.
9. Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer
Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer
Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring occupies the number 9 spot on this top 10 list. This painting is more widely known as the “Dutch Mona Lisa”. The painting depicts a girl before her wedding, and emphasis is put on her earring. This is perhaps the only famous work by Vermeer.
8. Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli
Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli
Birth of Venus is also in the top 10 list. This painting by Sandro Botticelli shows Greek goddess Venus or Aphrodite emerging from sea upon a shell, showing her birth. This painting is located in Uffizi gallery in Florence and is famous worldwide. Birth of Venus is in accordance with the popular myth about the birth of Venus.
7. Cafe Terrace at Night by Vincent Van Gogh
Cafe Terrace at Night by Vincent Van Gogh
Vincent Van Gogh has produced some of the finest and most famous paintings in the world. Cafe Terrace at Night is one of those which are in this top 10 list. The painting shows a cafe in the town of Arles, France at night. The use of contrasting colors make this painting unforgettable. Even though night time is shown but the bright colors of the cafe add uniqueness to it. The size of the stars in the sky is also large and unconventional. These features make this one of the most famous paintings in the world.
6. Guernica by Pablo Picasso
Guernica by Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso is one of the most famous painters in the world. His painting, titled Guernica, is number 6 on the top 10 list. The Spanish civil war is depicted in the painting. The painting shows the sufferings and tragedies of war when the German bombers bombed the Basque town of Guernica. Guernica is quite easily Picasso’s most famous work.
5. The Scream by Edvard Munch
The Scream by Edvard Munch
The Scream is an expressionist painting. It shows an agonized figure against a blood red sky of Oslofjord in Norway. This painting by Edvard Munch is famous worldwide because of the unique nature of both the figure and the skies.
4. The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo
The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo
Painted between 1508 and 1512, The Creation of Adam is one of the most famous and controversial paintings in the world. It is one of the most well-known paintings of the High Renaissance. The painting is painted on the ceiling of the Vatican chapel and shows nine scenes from the book of Genesis. The painting was controversial because it showed a scene where God created the first man, Adam.
3. The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci
The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci
The Last Supper by Da Vinci is number 3 on the top 10 list. The painting shows the scene where Jesus is having the last supper where he announced that one of his Twelve Apostles would betray him. There has been a lot of debate on who is sitting on the left of Jesus, with popular choices being either Mary Magdalene or John the Apostle.
2. Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh
Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh
Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh occupies the number 2 spot on the top 10 list. Starry Night is one of the most famous and well-known paintings in the world. The painting depicts village of Saint Remy. The tree on the left was added later on and gave the painting a unique style. The swirling sky also adds to the composition. This is, without doubt, Van Gogh’s most famous work as a painter.
1. Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci
Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci
One of the greatest puzzles of the world, Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci is the most famous painting in the world. Who is she? Is she smiling? Is she sad? We can only guess. Mona Lisa was Da Vinci’s most famous painting. It showcases his idea of beauty and inner self. There have been so many theories about the woman in Mona Lisa, one of them being that wherever you move your eyes, her eyes follow you. Each year, 6 million people visit the painting in Louvre, Paris.So this was the list for all the art lovers and general audience. Let me know what you think in the comments below.
