Arts and Theater

Most Famous Paintings of all time

Even though digital technology has developed over the past years, there is no better way than painting to express something universal. From ancient times, countless generations of artists have done marvelous paintings which are now exhibited in museums and galleries. These fantastic paintings are the most important, impressive paintings of all time.

Let us explore more about these famous paintings and the artists behind them!

1) Mona Lisa– Mona Lisa is one of the most famous paintings in the world, painted in the early 1500s by Leonardo Da Vinci and now in the Louvre Museum, Paris. This painting has so many unanswered questions and mysteries-Why is she smiling? Who is the person? Many theories say that she is the wife of the Florentine merchant, or she is Leonardo’s mother. On an average 6 million people see the painting every year.

There are several reasons why the Mona Lisa is so famous. The Mona Lisa has influenced many painters and has also been copied numerous times by artists all over the world. Even though Mona Lisa is not for sale, it is estimated that Mona Lisa’s worth is $1 billion.

Location: Louvre Museum, Paris, France.

2) Starry Night- Starry Night is the most famous work of Vincent Van Gogh. It is described as the view he could see out of his asylum window after he had a breakdown. The painting shows the night sky coming alive with swirls, orbs, and wonderful use of brush strokes. The painting has always fascinated art lovers for many decades.

The idea behind the Starry Night painting was to express shock. Just with a simple view of the countryside from his window, the artist Van Gogh used the sky, trees, and mountains as a catalyst to express his feelings.

Location: Museum of Modern Art, New York City, USA

3) The Last Supper– The Last Supper is one of the most recognizable paintings across the globe. This masterpiece was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci in the 1490s on a refectory wall in Milan. The painting shows the scene when Lord Jesus Christ broke bread with his twelve disciples before His Crucifixion.

The reason why the Last Supper painting is so famous is that it has survived numerous attacks and a lot of restoration work has been done, over the past few years. Right now, only 25 people are allowed to watch the painting at once, every 15 minutes.

Location: Santa Maria Delle Grazie, Milan, Northern Italy

4) Girl with a Pearl Earring– The Girl with a Pearl Earring, painted by Johannes Vermeer is always compared with the Mona Lisa. The painting looks modern as if it was a photograph. The painting depicts a girl wearing a blue turban and a glimmering pearl earring. The sitter in the painting is unknown, some people say that she is the painter’s maid.

There are various interpretations of this painting. It is said that pearls are known for their natural beauty and signify wisdom, purity, and integrity. The iconic position and gaze of the girl have captivated many people.

Location: Mauritshuis Museum, Hague, Netherlands

5) Guernica– Guernica is one of the most renowned paintings of Pablo Picasso. The painting tells the sad story of the aerial bombing which happened in Basque town during the Spanish Civil War. Painted in 1937, Picasso’s masterpiece is now kept in Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid.

Guernica is a powerful representation of the suffering of the innocent victims caused by war. It became so popular across the world that it became an anti-war painting.

Location: Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid, Spain

6) The Scream- There are two paintings of Scream, it is not a single piece of art. It was painted by Edward Munch showing a figure against a blood-red sky. The first version was completed in 1893 and it is in the National Gallery of Norway, while the second one is in the Munch Museum. Both of these paintings were stolen during an art theft and recovered several months later.

The scream is a masterpiece because the artist used wonderful and unrealistic colors, which have paved the way for creating a new type of art. Recently one of the versions of this painting was sold for $120 million.

Location: The National Museum, Oslo, Norway

7) The Kiss– Gustav Klimt’s painting Kiss, painted between 1907-1908 is one of the major highlights of the Belvedere. The painting is a wonderful portrayal of intimacy and symbolism. The painter shows mythical figures in a modern way as his subjects.

The painter included gold leaves in this work and some traditionalists rejected this work because of the use of eroticism but many others found it refreshing and made Gustav Klimt popular across Europe.

Location: Upper Belvedere Palace, Vienna, Austria

8) Creation of Adam– The Creation of Adam is one of the best works of Michelangelo. The painting is in the Sistine Chapel (Vatican City) ceiling, where you have to look up to see the painting. In this beautiful work, we see God giving life to Adam who is the first man. It is very famous, as Michelangelo took four years to complete this masterpiece and each painting in this work of art has a different meaning.

The most popular one is interpreted from the Book of Genesis in which God is breathing life into Adam who was the first man and later joined by Eve who helped to start the human race. Some physicians say that the painting is a replica of the human brain.

Location: Sistine Chapel, Vatican City

9) Water Lilies– Water Lilies is a combination of 250 different paintings. This painting was done by Claude Monet at his home. The subject of this painting is the water lily pond at the back of the painter’s garden with different types of flowers, a wooden bridge, and a big weeping willow. It is found in New York’s Museum of Modern Art and the Portland Art Museum.

The pieces in this series of paintings show the illusion of water without a horizon or a bank. The artist Claude Monet took almost 12 years (1914-1926) to complete 250 oil paintings of water lilies.

Location: Musée de L’Orangerie, Paris, France

10) Night Watch- Night Watch is one of the most famous artworks in Amsterdam, painted in 1642 by Rembrandt Van Rijn. This painting depicts a group of civil guards who are practicing their shooting. The wonderful use of lights in the museum makes the figures in the painting look like they are moving before us.

The Night Watch painting was controversial because of its style and the artist painted people in their natural condition rather than painting people in brush forms. It took three years for Rembrandt to complete this magnificent painting and it is said that Rembrandt painted himself hidden in the scene.

Location: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Conclusion

These are some of the best paintings in the world. Apart from these, there are many more masterpieces across the world, all of which are fabulous and impressive. Thousands of visitors visit museums or art galleries all across the globe, to get a glimpse of these magnificent masterpieces every year.

April 11, 2022

famous, painting

Reviving the art of storytelling: Chitrakathi

The once popular Chitrakathi, storytelling through paintings, is brought back to life by the Gangawane family in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg. Ketki Gadre interviews the last family practicing this art form to delve into their motivations and the supporters who have aided them on this journey. After a long day of trekking the Western Ghats around Bhogwe Beach in Sindhudurg, my luxury resort, Coco Shambhala, suggested an unusual activity – an art class. They agreed to it and invited Chetan Gangavane, a third-generation Chitrakathi artist working to revive this art form. Chitrakathi Art While setting up the art activity, Mr Chetan briefs me about the 11 art forms his community (Thakar) has been involved with for generations. His family currently practices three art forms unique to Maharashtra: String puppetry, Chitrakathi, and Shadow puppetry. “Chitrakathi involves storytelling through art on a 12×15” or 12×18” canvas, which can take 1-3 days to complete, depending on the painting’s intricacy. Traditionally, these paintings depicted scenes from mythological epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, accompanied by live singers playing instruments. Therefore, Chitrakathi artists needed not only painting skills but also the ability to sing and play instruments,” explains Mr. Chetan. The Thakar community, an Adivasi tribe living in the forests, gained recognition for their art from the erstwhile warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He brought them out of forests and closer to towns and provided them opportunities to perform art shows during festivals. In return, the community assisted the king by spreading messages of social enlightenment through their art. The artists earned their livelihood for many years through food or monetary donations. However, over time, attitudes shifted, and people stopped donating food and began treating them with disrespect. The Gangavane family is the last Thakar community to practice this centuries-old art form. The rest gave up with

Arts and Theater

Nurturing Artistic Talent: Sunaina Misra’s Vision for Artiste Culture

In the vibrant world of contemporary art, one name stands out for its unique approach to nurturing and managing artistic talent: Goa-based Sunaina Misra. As the founder of Artiste Culture, Sunaina has revolutionized how artists are managed, helping them navigate the complexities of the art industry. Her agency works directly with artists worldwide, assisting them in making connections and developing the skills needed to elevate their creative careers. Surabhi Goel had the pleasure of sitting down with Sunaina to discuss her background, the origin of Artiste Culture, and her vision for the future. I always grew up in an environment where my mother encouraged me to explore art in various forms, painting or visiting galleries. She wanted me to find my passion, so she enrolled me in different classes, from basketball to art. By age 15, I started working with an artist in Lucknow, helping him in his studio. There, I discovered my knack for organizing and managing artistic tasks, such as typing resumes and basic computer tasks. This experience sparked my interest in art management. Later, I pursued my Master’s in Art and Design Management in Newcastle, which solidified my understanding of the field. After various roles, including working for an art start-up and a museum, COVID-19 hit, leading me to start Artiste Culture. A blend of necessity and passion drove me to create a platform to support artists during uncertain times. The inspiration came from identifying gaps within the industry. Artists often struggled with managing their careers while focusing on their art. I wanted to create a space where artists could focus on creating while we took care of everything else—finding exhibitions, writing citations, and managing logistics. My vision was to build a multicultural and diverse environment that supports artists from all over the world. Over time, Artiste

Arts and Theater

5 Prolific Women Contemporary Indian Artists to Watch for in 2024

In 2023, women artists from India achieved new heights and were lauded worldwide. With Amrita Sher-Gil’s work ‘The Story Teller’ becoming the most expensive Indian artwork ever sold, Google honouring Zarina Hashmi for her life’s work, and Nalini Malani winning the 2023 Kyoto Prize, Indian women artists in both modern and contemporary art are gaining momentum. This year, contemporary Indian women artists continued to wield their creativity as a powerful force, shaping the art scene and contributing to the evolution of societal narratives. With 2024 upon us, the recognition and interest Indian women artists receive will only continue to rise. Sneha Gautam, Senior Vice President at AstaGuru Auction House, lists some eminent women artists whom art enthusiasts and collectors should watch for in this year. Nalini Malani: Among the trailblazers in the contemporary art scene who are making an impact on a global scale is painter and multimedia artist Nalini Malani, recognised for her innovative use of technology and distinctive visual language. Born in Karachi in 1946, she studied at Sir J.J. School of Arts and became one of India’s video art pioneers. Malani’s work often explores themes of feminism, war, and the human condition, challenging viewers to engage with complex issues in new and thought-provoking ways. Her dedication to seeing the artist as an activist and her exploration of womanhood through various media has indelibly impacted India’s contemporary art. Bharti Kher: Influential contemporary Indian artist Bharti Kher was born in London to Indian immigrant parents in 1969. She captivates with her avant-garde creations that transcend traditional boundaries and is best known for works constructed with many bindis. Renowned for her thought-provoking sculptures and installations, Kher often explores themes of identity, mythology, and the female form. With a unique artistic vocabulary, she challenges conventional notions, using unconventional materials to craft

Arts and Theater

Art on Your Fingertips

Rooftop is a community-driven art experiences marketplace App that makes traditional Indian art forms accessible to the world. This App is a one-stop destination for all art needs, which is bridging the gap between Indian artisans and art lovers all over the world. This first-of-its-kind art technology company endeavours to curate art and recreational activities based on traditional art. Bindu Gopal Rao in conversation with the Founder of Rooftop, Kartik Gaggar. Rooftop was started to help the arts and artists. “Whilst travelling I came across so many different indigenous artists that were struggling to create value for their crafts. I was impressed with their skills and the passion with which they continued to love their heritage despite the challenges. When I started Rajasthan Studio, I wanted to bring art lovers closer to the artists and regenerate value for the arts. In 2020, when the pandemic hit, this provided me with an opportunity to revamp and pivot to a digital/online space with Rooftop. This enterprise was a brainchild of long hours of work, tears, and a zeal to make Indian traditional arts mainstream again,” explains Kartik Gaggar, CEO & Founder, of Rooftop. So how does it work? Rooftop works for art lovers and artists. It intends to connect the two and create revenue and value for different art forms scattered around the country. Rooftop onboards artists and experts based on their level of skills and love for their craft. The team record either workshops or courses with them to then market the same to different target audiences ranging from simple art lovers to hardcore artists. They also have subscription plans for people who are passionate about learning and upskilling. “Subscription is a great way to consume art and courses are great as it also gives you a personal connection with the