The Ten Most Famous Paintings of All Time (Part II)
How have you been, dear friends? In our previous meeting, I told you that I wanted to make two posts dedicated to one of the arts that are equally passionate and inspiring to the human being: painting. That is why I decided to review some lists and studies to select the 10 most famous paintings in the history of art.
In the previous issue we saw how Guernica by Pablo Picasso, El nacimiento de Venus by Sandro Botticelli, La persistencia de la memoria de Salvador Dalí, El beso de Gustav Klimt and La maja desnuda by Francisco de Goya were positioned on our list of 10.
On this occasion I am going to bring you the first 5 remaining works. I know that many of you will imagine what they are, but it is worth knowing a little more about them. I must say again, that these works were selected because they are not only the most recognized, but also the most imitated, reproduced by the media, the most parodied, hence they are considered icons of our popular culture. In other words, their historical, cultural and artistic value has transcended to become timeless and mass works. Let's start with the 5 best:
In the position 5: The Scream
Due to its expressive force, the work El Grito (The Scream) is considered a precursor of the expressionist movement. It is the most famous painting by the Norwegian painter Edvard Munch. This painting was made with a mixed technique: oil and pastel on cardboard and measures 91 cm x 73.5 cm. The Scream presents an androgynous figure in the foreground with a gesture of anguish that transmits great expressiveness and psychological strength. It is not surprising that El grito is one of the most desired pieces of art by thieves, as its price is very high. In fact, in 2012 it became the work of art for which the most money has been paid in an auction. Because of its fame and value, it has been the victim of several thefts that have deteriorated it. This work belongs to the National Gallery of Oslo, Norway.
In the position 4: Starry Night
Starry Night is one of the best known images in modern culture as well as being one of the most reproduced and desired engravings. It is the masterpiece of the post-impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh. Vincent Van Gogh painted this painting from views from his window of the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum, where he was interned because of his mental problems. This work was painted in the middle of 1889, thirteen months before his death. The technique he used was oil on canvas, in which he used moistened oil and fine brushes. Measuring 73.7 cm x 92.2 cm, it has been part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York since 1941. Considered Van Gogh's magnum opus, the painting has been reproduced numerous times and is known as one of the most famous paintings in history.
In the position 3: The Creation of Adam
Adam's Creation is a Michelangelo fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. It is one of the most appreciated and recognized works of art in the world and represents the Genesis scene in which God gives life to Adam, the first man on earth. It has a size of 280 cm x 570 and was painted in 1511 which corresponds to the time of the Italian Renaissance. The central image that gives the enigmatic power to the fresco is the scene of the hands of God and man. The suspense that creates the minimal space Michelangelo leaves between the two beings represents the perfect allegory of the origin of the human being through the search for the divine. It is currently in the vault of the Sistine Chapel along with nearly 500 square meters more of frescoes by sculptor and artist Michelangelo.
In the position 2: The Last Supper
The Last Supper is one of the most important and well-known works in the world, both for its religious meaning and for its well-known author: Leonardo da Vinci. It is known that the author took 4 years to complete this work and used a technique of tempera and oil on plaster. The size of the painting is 8.8 meters wide and 4.6 meters high. This painting is still in the same place where it was made, in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, Italy. Because it was painted on the surface of a wall, it is very complicated to move it. With this work, Leonardo da Vinci intended to capture the reaction of the 12 disciples of Jesus after he told them that one of them would betray him.
In the position 1: The Mona Lisa
The Mona Lisa or Gioconda is the most famous painting that exists. It is an oil on poplar board of 77 x 53 cm, painted between 1503 and 1506, and retouched several times by the author. The technique used was Sfumato, a very characteristic procedure of Leonardo da Vinci, its creator. The painting is protected by multiple security systems and set for optimal preservation. It is constantly reviewed to verify and prevent deterioration. Although it has never been appraised, if it were, it would surely reach the highest figure in the history of art. It is therefore not surprising that it was stolen from the Louvre by Vicenzo Perrugia (Italian painter) in 1911 although it appeared two years later in Italy.
Without a doubt all these ten works of universal painting have a particular and principal place within the history of the Plastic Arts, but very especially within the taste of citizens, critics and other artists. These works, in spite of time and new artistic tendencies, continue to move and impact the world. I hope you liked this selection and that you can, at any time, use this information. You know: don't forget to vote for @adsactly as a witness and join our discord channel. Until the next smile. ;)
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES
https://listas.20minutos.es/lista/los-50-cuadros-mas-famosos-384672/
http://porelamordelart.blogspot.com/2013/04/las-20-pinturas-mas-famosas-de-todos.html
https://listas.20minutos.es/lista/los-50-cuadros-mas-famosos-384672/
http://www.theartwolf.com/masterworks/index_es.htm
Written by @nancybriti
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