For centuries, the art world has witnessed some of the most breathtaking paintings. From the legendary Mona Lisa to the gothic Skeleton Smoking, these illustrations continue to capture the imagination of novice and seasoned art lovers alike.
But what’s the story behind the world’s most iconic paintings, and who are the creative brains behind them?
Well, this blog shall put those questions into perspective. Read below as we uncover the eight most famous paintings.
We shall highlight the visual elements and materials used to render each illustration. Besides, we’ll share insights into the painting’s background, the inspiration behind its name, and (of course) its creator.
1. The Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci
I can almost bet my bottom dollar that you saw this one coming. Indeed, no painting has had such a tremendous influence across generations as the iconic Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci.
Many publications have hailed the Mona Lisa as the most widely recognizable painting. It’s also the most frequently visited illustration of all time.
Besides, the Mona Lisa has inspired more literary and cinematic works than any other famous paintings in history. Dozens of novels, magazines, films, and even songs have glorified this illustration, lending credence to its unmatched novelty.
Due to its sheer popularity, it’s understandable that the Mona Lisa is also the most parodied painting. And yes, there are millions of replicas all over the world, too. Some of these imitations bear a striking resemblance to Da Vinci’s original work, while others incorporate additional visual nuances.
According to legend, Leonardo Da Vinci created the Mona Lisa after the renowned Italian noblewoman Lisa del Giocondo. The illustration features a half-length portrait of smiling Lisa set against a hazy background.
Most art lovers have been unable to accurately date the Mona Lisa. However, many believe Da Vinci rendered it between 1503 and 1506. The original Mona Lisa is painted in oil on a white poplar panel.
It’s one of Da Vinci’s artworks that features his signature sfumato technique. Since 1797, the Mona Lisa has been domiciled in the Louvre in Paris.
2. Skeleton Smoking by Vincent Van Gogh
Leonardo Da Vinci may have treated the art world to the most famous painting. But according to many art enthusiasts, Vincent Van Gogh is arguably the most prolific painter in history. One of Van Gogh’s most noticeable works is Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette, commonly shortened as Skeleton Smoking.
As the name implies, Skeleton Smoking features a skeleton’s head with a burning cigarette in its mouth. The skeleton image is also recognizable for its sinister grin. Van Gogh created Skeleton Smoking using oil on a canvas background.
Although undated, the monochrome illustration was likely drawn around 1885-1886 during Vogh’s stint at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium. The image of a skeleton smoking may intuitively resonate with a warning against tobacco use.
After all, smoking kills, right?
Well, yes, but that’s unlikely to be what inspired Van Gogh’s work. Many art historians opine that this realistic painting was intended as a satirical comment about conservative academic subjects. That’s especially considering that most schools back then used skeletons to teach about human anatomy.
3. The Sea at Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer by Vincent Van Gogh
Vincent Van Gogh was not your ordinary prolific painter. He was one of the few artists who could whip a masterpiece out of any theme. From gothic subjects like Skeleton Smoking to idyllic ones like The Sea at Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, every theme was fair game for the talented artist.
The Sea at Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is part of a series of nature-themed paintings that Van Gogh created in June 1888. The illustration was inspired by Vogh’s enchanting experiences while on a tour to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer along the Mediterranean Sea.
Besides borrowing from Van Gogh's real-life experiences, The Sea at Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is also one of Van Gogh’s most emotionally arousing paintings. Its unfiltered depiction of the sea blurs the line between adventure and nature’s fury, with sandy beaches adding to its overall charm.
Vogh also experimented with a rich color scheme in rendering this painting. He used blues, greens, whites, and yellow shades in his palette that are all associated with nature and the sea.
4. Forest Scene by Thomas Moran
Thomas Moran may not be a very renowned artist like Da Vinci and Van Gogh, but his paintings are no less fascinating. Forest Scene is one of the paintings by Moran, a landscape oil-on-canvas image of a serene forest.
Moran’s Forest Scene is regarded as one of the most soothing paintings in history. He likely created the Forest Scene to highlight nature’s tranquility. While similar illustrations tend to incorporate various natural elements (including the sky and firmament), Thomas Moran restricted himself to the forest floor.
The painting concentrates on ground-level vegetation and trees, with the sun rays majestically breaking through the canopies to create a magical contrast with the greenish-brown elements. Another striking element of Forest Scene is the thoughtful arrangement of vegetation, with footpaths that nature lovers can follow as they adventure deeper into the thick woodland.
A freshwater body nourishes both the forest and the viewer’s mind.
5. The Strawberry Thief by William Morris
Perhaps one of the funniest names for a painting! But upon deep inspection, you’ll clearly acknowledge the inspiration behind William Morris’s Strawberry Thief.
The Strawberry Thief depicts thrushes helping themselves to strawberries from a kitchen garden. Morris reportedly created this illustration from an actual experience at his Kelmscott Manor.
One of the painting’s unique visual elements is its intricate design, with thrushes frantically gorging themselves on fresh strawberries.
Morris experimented with a rich color palette to add more depth to his artwork. The thrushes are predominantly brown, with the plants depicted in light blue, green, and yellow against a deep blue background.
Not only does Morris’s color choice create the perfect visual harmony. It’s also incredibly soothing to the eyes, enabling you to admire the painting for the longest period.
Despite the heist unfolding in the foreground, The Strawberry Thief remains one of the most wholesome paintings you’ll ever come across.
6. Lady with a Fan by Gustav Klimt
Lady with a Fan is a vibrant portrait by the renowned Austrian painter Gustav Klimt. The 1917 painting features an unidentified woman donning an Asian-inspired robe with a fan in her hand.
This wasn’t Klimt’s only Asian-themed painting. But unlike his previous creations, Lady with a Fan stands out for its elaborate decorations and a whimsical theme.
We cannot tell for sure which Asian region inspired Klimt in creating Lady with a Fan. However, the incorporation of Chinese dragons, lotus blossoms, and phoenixes indicates the subject may have hailed from the Far East.
Counterculture themes also pervade throughout the painting. Of notable mention is the depicted damsel showcasing her bare shoulders in an eroticized posture, a contrast to the more conservative Chinese culture.
In June 2023, Lady with a Fan became one of the most expensive artworks sold at an auction. The painting was acquired by art dealer Patti Wong for a jaw-dropping amount of £85.3 million.
7. The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai
Japan is infamous for its destructive tsunamis, a theme that flows throughout this breathtaking painting by Katsushika Hokusai. The Great Wave off Kanagawa features a colossal wave sweeping across the foreground and almost engulfing three small fishing boats.
The waves sport claw-like crests that almost threaten to sweep the tiny boats into smithereens, creating a sense of urgency. This woodblock print was created in late 1831. It lends credence to popular legends of the unpredictability of the Japanese waters.
But despite its violent connotations, the Great Wave off Kanagawa evokes charm and tranquility. The artist’s use of deep shades of blue aptly captures the beauty of the ocean while making the painting more soothing to the senses.
Besides, the sight of Mount Fuji towering in the background adds extra grandeur to the illustration and contrasts with its sweeping giant waves. Hokusai’s ability to blend these contrasting elements explains why the Great Wave is his most famous painting of all time.
8. Water Lilies, Nympheas by Claude Monet
Claude Monet’s Water Lilies, Nympheas, is another famous painting worthy of recognition. Although this is only one of Monet’s 250+ oil-based paintings, it’s arguably the most stunning.
Like most celebrated painters, Claude Monet drew much from real-life experiences while creating his paintings. Water Lilies is based on the artist’s flower garden at his home in Giverny, Normandy. Key highlights are the lilies, with their roots gracefully dipping under a pond.
Water Lilies is remarkably beautiful despite its simplistic design. It’s certainly one of the illustrations to line up for your next paint by numbers project.
To recreate Monet’s original artwork, you’ll need to experiment with vibrant shades of blue and green. The artist used light blue undertones to depict the clear pond (ocean) waters, and light green for the lilies.
Besides, the painting is a close-up focused solely on the lilies underwater. This technique provides an immersive view by eliminating other potentially distracting elements, such as the sky and the shore.
The absence of the ocean floor evokes a sense of infinity.
Immortalizing Art Through Magnificent Paintworks
The world’s most iconic paintings are remarkably rare. Most of these artworks are preserved in maximum security museums with highly restricted public access.
Besides, they’re seldom available for sale. And when they are, their prices can be astronomical.
Fortunately, Canvas By Numbers provides a creative way to recreate all your favorite illustrations. Whether you’re into expressionism, impressionism, or Renaissance classics, you can whip a masterpiece with minimal artistic flair.
Simply browse through the website and select a kit that aligns with your preferred painting style.
