Which is the Most-Famous Paintings in the World? International auction houses sell billions of dollars worth of art each year while leading museums hold tens of thousands – sometimes hundreds of thousands – of pieces in their collections. However, precious few make it to the level of fame necessary to truly be considered household names.
We examined Google to find out which are the Most-Famous Paintings in the World since “famous” is a subjective term.
From the classics like “Mona Lisa,” “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” and “Salvator Mundi,” to works like “Nighthawks” and the “Dogs Playing Poker” series, we compared dozens of masterpieces.
Here are the 10 Most-Famous Paintings in the World based on those results.
List of the Most-famous Paintings in the World
- Mona Lisa
- The Last Supper
- The Starry Night
- The Scream
- Guernica
- The Kiss
- Girl with a Pearl Earring
- The Birth of Venus
- Las Meninas
- Creation of Adam
1. ‘Mona Lisa’
Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
Estimated date: 1503-1519
View it at: Louvre Museum (Paris)
No one should be surprised that the world’s most famous painting is that mysterious woman and her enigmatic smile. This is one of the few certainties about this painting. It is also one of the Most-Famous Paintings in the World.
Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Florence merchant Francesco del Giocondo, is believed to be the sitter in the painting, but experts aren’t sure. It was an innovation in art – it was the first half-length portrait in history to feature the subject so closely in terms of perspective, according to the Louvre, where it was installed for the first time in 1804.
2. ‘The Last Supper’
Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
Estimated date: 1495 to 1498
Visit it at: Santa Maria Delle Grazie (Milan, Italy)
“Renaissance Man” Leonardo is the only artist on this list who has appeared twice.
“The Last Supper” depicts the last meal Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion, created in an era when religious imagery still dominated the arts.
This enormous fresco measures 4.6 meters (15 feet) high by 8.8 meters (28.9 feet) wide, making for an impressive sight.
3. ‘The Starry Night’
Artist: Vincent van Gogh
Date: 1889
To view it: Museum of Modern Art (New York City)
A comparatively abstract painting, it is the best example of the bold and innovative brushstrokes used by van Gogh. Since it was painted, art lovers have been captivated by the painting’s appealing blues and yellows and dreamy, swirling atmosphere.
4. ‘The Scream’
Artist: Edvard Munch
Date: 1893
Visit it at: National Museum (Oslo, Norway — opening in 2020) and
Munch Museum (Oslo — through May 2020)
First of all, “The Scream” is not a single work of art. The British Museum has described the painting as a blend of paintings, pastels, and drawings. These paintings are also housed at the National Museum and the Munch Museum; one pastel sold at auction for almost $120 million in 2012.
Just as with the Mona Lisa, “The Scream” was elevated in public awareness by daring thefts (1994 and 2004). (Both were found eventually).
5. ‘Guernica’
Artist: Pablo Picasso
Date: 1937
Visit it at: Museo Reina Sofía (Madrid)
The latest painting on this list shows the German bombing of Guernica in the Basque region during the Spanish Civil War.
With its unflinching examination of war’s horrors, it has become one of the most important films of the 20th century.
6. ‘The Kiss’: Most-Famous Paintings in the World
Artist: Gustav Klimt
Estimated date: 1907 to 1908
Visit it at: Upper Belvedere Museum (Vienna, Austria)
“The Kiss” by Gustav Klimt is a study of love after a study in hatred.
The highly ornamented robes wear by the passionate, life-sized couple are part of Klimt’s ‘Golden Period’ and show Byzantine influences.
With “The Kiss,” Klimt makes an “allegory of love being at the heart of human existence.” Given its magnetic appeal, it seems people agree.
7. ‘Girl With a Pearl Earring’
Artist: Johannes Vermeer
Estimated date: 1665
Visit it at: Mauritshuis (The Hague, Netherlands)
Despite the stylistic difference, “Girl With a Pearl Earring” is technically a “tronie” – a painting of an imaginary or exaggerated figure.
Its simplicity is what makes it such a brilliant painting. A girl wearing a blue and gold turban and oversized pearl earrings is the only point of focus, with a dark backdrop behind her.
8. ‘The Birth of Venus’: Most-Famous Paintings in the World
Artist: Sandro Botticelli
Estimated date: 1485
Visit it at: Le Gallerie Degli Uffizi (Florence, Italy)
A painting from the Medicis, who ruled Florence and the surrounding areas for centuries and were highly prosperous and art-loving, “The Birth of Venus” may have been commissioned by a member of their family.
Bringing together a renewed interest in Greek culture with early Renaissance style, Botticelli creates an unforgettable figure with the Goddess of Love emerging from a huge scallop shell.
9. ‘Las Meninas’
Artist: Diego Velázquez
Date: 1656
To view it: Prado Museum (Madrid)
There are two world-famous paintings on display in Madrid, the first being “Guernica” at No. 5, and the other being “Las Meninas” at No. 9.
The popular (and huge) Prado museum houses Diego Velázquez’s most famous painting “Las Meninas” as well as one of its largest works. Throughout history, art critics and also the general public have been fascinated by the complexity of the work.
In addition to serving as a portrait, the painting also serves as a landscape. It is a portrait of the Spanish royal family, but it is also Velázquez’s portrait of himself.
10. ‘Creation of Adam’: Most-Famous Paintings in the World
Artist: Michelangelo
Date: 1508 to 1512
Visit it at: Sistine Chapel (Vatican City)
The most famous work by renowned artist Michelangelo covers a section of the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling — you have to look up to view it. The scene depicts Adam and God holding outstretched arms, their fingers nearly touching. Throughout history, this image has been copied many times.
Adam’s muscular form hints at Michelangelo’s other talent — his “David” is possibly the world’s most famous sculpture. The marble statue can be found in Florence at the Galleria dell’Accademia.
Final Verdicts
The Top 10 Most Famous Painting in the world that is seen in everywhere, now is your time to get these painting for your decoration. All you need the canvas prints to display painting on your wall.
Also Read:
4 Comments