Great Works of Art

These are some of the world’s greatest works of art – from Michelangelo to Bernini. It is a personal selection of art that moves me.

Pieta – Michelangelo

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Michelangelo’s Pieta – The magnificent depiction of Mother Mary holding her crucified son, Jesus Christ. Beauty, elegance, restrained yet intense emotion.

source: Pieta (Creative Commons) wiki

Mona Lisa – Leonardo Da Vinci

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The enigmatic smile of Mona Lisa has captured the imagination of the world. The Mona Lisa gives a glimpse of immortality in an anonymous lady.

The Lady With An Ermine – Leonardo Da Vinci

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One of Leonard’s portraits.

David – Michelangelo

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The sublime depiction of the human form. Michelangelo transcended the great classic masters of the past with this flawless sculpture.

Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo

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Michelangelo ‘s four-year epic. Unsurpassed scale and greatness that leaves visitors breathless.

Michelangelo Basilique San Pietro in Vincoli

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Rome, Basilique San Pietro in Vincoli, Moïse de Michel Ange

Cafe Terrace at Night – Vincent Van Gogh

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The genius of Vincent Van Gogh is captured in this atmospheric portrayal of French cafe life at night.

Bridge Across the Seine – Van Gogh

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Bridge across the Seine at Asnieres by Vincent Van Gogh

Sunflowers – Vincent Van Gogh

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The genius of Vincent Van Gogh is captured in this painting of 12 sunflowers. Has become one of the most recognisable of his works.

Ecstasy of St Therese – Bernini

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The Ecstasy of St Therese – Bernini in Cornaro Chapel.

Water Lilies – Claude Monet

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Claude Monet is one of the great impressionist painters. Quite a few of his pictures could be chosen. But, his Water lily pictures are perhaps the zenith of his artistic impressionism. A wonderful elucidation of light and nature

Haystacks – Monet

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Haystacks by Monet

Soleil Levant – Monet

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Soleil Levant – Monet

Poppies in a Field – Claude Monet

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Claude Monet is one of the great impressionist painters. This wonderful pastoral scene captures the essence of how the impressionists captured the beauty and simplicity of nature.

Inspiration of St Matthew – Caravaggio

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Caravaggio was commissioned to provide three paintings for the Contarelli Chapel in the church of San Luigi dei Francesi. This is one of the three paintings. The other two being the martyrdom of St Matthew and the calling of St Matthew.

Calling of St Matthew – Caravaggio

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The Taking of Christ – Caravaggio

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The Girl With a Pearl Earring – Jan Vermeer

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Jan Vermeer was relatively unknown in his lifetime. But, this fascinating portrait (somewhat reminiscent of the Mona Lisa) is a wonderful example of the Baroque style.

View of Delft – Jan Vermeer

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View of Delft – Jan Vermeer

Primavera – Botticelli

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Primavera (1482) – Botticelli

The Jewish Bride – Rembrandt

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The identity of the Jewish Bride is uncertain. This may have been deliberate on the part of the artist, who created a masterpiece of human love that borders on the divine.

Christ in the Storm of the Sea of Galilee – Rembrandt

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Rembrandt captures the drama and emotion of this epic scene from the Gospels. Note his effective use of light and dark to highlight the effect.

The Last Supper – Leonardo Da Vinci

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Leonardo da Vinci paints one of the most famous scenes in the bible – The Last Supper. It is after Christ has said one of the disciples will betray him.

Le Moulin de la Gallette – Auguste Renoir

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A leading impressionist, Auguste Renoir captures the buzz and excitement of this outdoor scene in Paris.

By Water – August Renoir

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By Water – August Renoir

Peace – Picasso

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The simplicity of this symbol of peace by Pablo Picasso remains one of the most powerful pieces of art.

The Fighting Temeraire – John Turner

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John Turner, an English Romantic painter, is often referred to as the ‘artist of light’. This scene is a wonderful example of his portrayal of sunlight,

Shipwreck – John Turner

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Shipwreck – John Turner

The Haywain – John Constable

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The Haywain by John Constable

The Cornfield – John Constable

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The Cornfield – John Constable

The Crucifixion – Raphael

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Crocefissione – Raphael

The School of Athens – Raphael

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L’Estaque – Paul Cezanne

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1883-1885  by Paul Cezanne

“The Great Wave”

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Tsunami by Hokusai 19th century.jpg

The Ambassadors

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The Ambassadors – Hans Holbein the Younger – 1 January 1533

Las Meninas

Las Meninas, by Diego Velázquez, from Prado

Las Meninas, by Diego Velázquez, from Prado 1656

Citation: Pettinger, Tejvan. “Great Works of Art,” Oxford, UK. www.biographyonline.net. Published 18 November 2008. Last updated 8 February 2019.

Greatest Works of Art

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Related pages

artArtists – A list of the great artists, including Leonardo da Vinci, Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Michelangelo and Rembrandt.

mona-lisa 10 Greatest paintings of all time. Including the Pieta and the statue of David by Michelangelo; Ecstasy of St Therese by Bernini, Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh.

One Comment

  • So awesome how Jan Vermeer and Rapheal made paintings look so real and alive.

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