From modern art to pieces of history, here are the ten most famous paintings in the world.
Throughout the centuries, people have expressed themselves through the medium of painting.
It’s no surprise that our wonderful world is packed to the brim with masterpieces begging to be seen by everyone.
We’ve ranked the top ten most famous paintings in the world, and where you can go to see them, so you can start planning your next trip.
Keep reading to discover the ten most beautiful masterpieces you need to see.
The World Bucket List’s interesting facts about the most famous paintings in the world
- Did you know the “Mona Lisa” has its own room in the Louvre Museum, where it is displayed in a climate-controlled environment with a special bulletproof glass case for protection?
- A random fact about “The Scream” by Edvard Munch is that it was stolen twice from the National Gallery in Oslo, Norway, but both times it was recovered within a few months.
- Vincent Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” is believed that he painted it from memory rather than directly observing the scene.
- An interesting medium used in Gustav Klimt’s iconic painting “The Kiss” is gold leaf, reflecting the artist’s fascination with Byzantine mosaics.
10. American Gothic – Grant Wood
This recognisable painting by Grant Wood is often misconceived as a painting of a farmer and his wife, but don’t be fooled!
This is actually a depiction of a farmer and his daughter. The image was completed in 1930 and is often parodied in popular cultures, such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Where to find it: Art Institute of Chicago, 111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60603, USA
9. The Kiss – Gustav Klimt
Easily Klimt’s most famous work, The Kiss, shows a couple kissing in a painting exploding with colour.
It is considered an Austrian masterpiece and one of the most famous paintings in the world. Klimt completed this work of art in 1908.
Where to find it: Österreichische Galerie Belvedere, Prinz Eugen-Straße 27, Vienna, Austria
Read more: Vienna is named the world’s most liveable city.
8. The Birth of Venus – Sandro Botticelli
This painting by Tuscan artist Botticelli depicts the birth of Venus, the goddess of love. She is seen rising from the sea, fully grown.
This beautiful depiction of the birth of a goddess was completed by the Italian Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli in the 1400s.
Where to find it: Uffizi Gallery, Piazzale degli Uffizi, 50122 Florence, Italy
Read also: 10 incredible statues in Florence.
7. The Sistine Chapel – Michelangelo
Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelo to paint the enormous ceiling of one of the largest museums in the world, spanning 5,000 sq ft (465 sq m). The work features nine stories from the Book of Genesis and was painted between 1508 and 1512.
Where to find it: Sistine Chapel, 00120 Vatican City
6. The Last Supper – Leonardo da Vinci
This painting is a depiction of Jesus Christ’s last supper with his 12 apostles.
Painted by Leonardo da Vinci between the years 1495 to 1498, the work has faded considerably over the years.
Still, it remains a marvel to behold, easily making it one of the most famous paintings in the world.
Where to find it: Piazza di Santa Maria delle Grazie, 20123 Milano MI, Italy
5. The Persistence of Memory – Salvador Dali
This work depicting melting clocks is easily recognised by art lovers worldwide, making it one of the most famous surrealist paintings in the world.
It was painted by Spanish surrealist Salvador Dali in 1931, who was born in Catalonia and received his education in Madrid, the Spanish capital.
Where to find it: Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53rd Street Manhattan, New York City
4. The Scream – Edvard Munch
Painted by the Norwegian expressionist painter Edvard Munch in 1893, the distressed face in this painting is one of the most famous depictions of the stresses of the human condition.
The vibrancy in the colours of the sky makes it one of the most famous paintings in the world.
Where to find it: Munch Museum, Edvard Munchs Plass 1, 0194 Oslo, Norway
3. The Starry Night – Vincent Van Gogh
This painting was completed during the legendary artists’ time in the Saint Paul de Mausole lunatic asylum in 1889.
It is easily one of the artist’s most recognisable works in his extensive portfolio.
Where to find it: Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53rd Street Manhattan, New York City
2. Girl with a Pearl Earring – Johannes Vermeer
This unsigned oil on canvas is estimated to have been painted by the Dutch artist around the year 1665. It has often been compared to the Mona Lisa in its appearance and expression.
Where to find it: Mauritshuis, Plein 29, The Hague, Netherlands
1. Mona Lisa – Leonardo da Vinci
Topping our list of the most famous paintings in the world is, of course, the Mona Lisa in Paris.
The enigmatic expression of the woman in this painting has captivated the imaginations of millions over its years in existence.
There is no question that this is the most visited and spoken about work of art globally.
Where to find it: Musée du Louvre, 75001 Paris, France
Check out: Modern art museums in Rome.
Do you agree with these rankings? How many of these masterpieces have you seen in real life?
How many do you plan to visit after reading this article? We’ve added all of them to our bucket list, that’s for sure.
Your questions answered about the most famous paintings in the world
What is the most visited art piece in the world?
Unsurprisingly, the most visited painting in the world is also the most famous portrait ever painted – the Mona Lisa.
Who is the No 1 art artist in the world?
Leonardo Da Vinci (1452–1519) Renaissance painter, scientist, inventor, and more.
