8. The Kiss by Gustav Klimt
Known as one of the proponents of Art Nouveau style, Austrian painter Gustav Klimt is a true creator of decorative masterpieces. The Kiss ranks 8th in our list of most famous paintings in the world and it is Klimt’s most popular work and is exhibited at the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere museum in Vienna. He used layers of gold paint and gold leaf to bring these kissing lovers to life. The painting is considered as the symbol of Viennese Art Noveau.
The Kiss is one of the early forms of the Arts and Crafts movement and probably the most influential piece in the Art Noveau genre. Syrian artist Tammam Azzam superimposed this image on one of the bullet-ridden buildings in Syria. His digital art went viral as a form of awareness about the ongoing civil war in the country.
7. The Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer
We are continuing our list of most famous paintings in the world with this 1902 masterpiece by Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer which is currently displayed at the Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery in Netherlands. The original title of Vermeer’s creation is Girl with a Turban. This painting is often called The Dutch Mona Lisa. It was believed that the girl was Maria, Vermeer’s eldest daughter.
In 1999, Tracy Chevalier wrote a novel with the same title. In 2003, a movie was based on The Girl with a Pearl Earring novel and from it, a play was produced in 2008. Vermeer’s artwork also appeared in the 2007 film St. Trinian’s.
6. The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli
One of the most celebrated works of the Renaissance era, The Birth of Venus, the number 6 in our list of most famous paintings in the world, was created by Italian artist Sandro Botticelli. It is currently exhibited at the Uffizi Gallery Museum in Florence, Italy. The painting was believed to be created sometime between 1482 and 1485. It was based on Homer’s writings on Venus, the goddess of love, emerging from the sea.
The nudity of Venus was a big step for the arts at a time when Christian themes were predominant. It opened the doors for mythological and historical themes. Due to its immense size (6’x 9’), it is known as the “first large-scale canvas created in Renaissance Florence.”
