Paintings were one of the first pieces of art created by man. Today, they are among the most expensive ones and considered as one of the best form of safely investing your money. Billions of dollars are spent every year by art collectors wanting to own some of the most famous paintings of all times. Here is a list.
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The enigmatic smile of an unknown lady is by far the most recognizable and one of the most famous paintings of all time. Although the identity of the lady in the picture has been recently discovered, it has not diminished the popularity of the painting. Leonardo Da Vinci painted this picture over a period of almost 20 years during the Renaissance period in Florence. It is currently displayed in the Louvre in Paris.
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A mural painting that decorates the back wall of the dining hall at the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, this famous work of art was created by Leonardo Da Vinci in the 15th century. It depicts the scene of the last supper had by Jesus Christ where he proclaims that one of his disciples was about to betray him.
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One of the most renowned work of art during the Renaissance and one of the most famous paintings of all time, this painting was created by Michelangelo on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. This picture depicts the scene when God breathed life into Adam.
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Often referred to as the ‘Dutch Mona Lisa’, there is a lot of ambiguity about the painting as well as the painter. However, it is a brilliant depiction of the Baroque style of painting and the use of light.
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The Scream depicts a picture of a figure screaming with a blood red sky in the background. This picture symbolizes the angst and pain of modern life and culture and has undoubtedly become one of the most famous paintings of all time.
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Considered to be the masterpiece of the French Impressionist movement, Water Lilies or Nymphaes is actually a collection of approximately 250 paintings created by painter Claude Monet over a period of 30 years.
The series showcases Monet's garden in Giverny, with the artworks varying greatly in size and perspective. Monet's fascination with natural light and reflection led him to capture the tranquil beauty of pond water, floating flora, and the sky's fleeting moments at different times of day and seasons. These paintings are esteemed for their abstract quality, where brushstrokes and color become the subject as much as the water lilies themselves. A visionary of en plein air painting, Monet dissolved the line between the painted atmosphere and reality, enchanting audiences with serene compositions that continue to resonate in the art world.
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Created by Sandro Botticelli around 1485-87, The Birth of the Venus depicts the scene of the birth of the goddess Venus, also known as Aphrodite in Greek mythology. The image shows her emerging from the sea on a shell.
There is no doubt that art collectors would love to lay their hands on these most famous paintings of all time. Thankfully, these paintings are held by museums for public display and are unlikely to be sold to private collectors. Not only are they literally priceless, such wonderful works of art should remain accessible to the public, so they can be appreciated and continue to inspire future generations of artists.
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