10 Most Famous Works Of Art

The following is the list of the 10 most famous works of art in the world – paintings or sculptures.
You might also be interested in the list of most famous paintings or most famous statues.

1. Mona Lisa – Leonardo da Vinci.

The most famous artwork and painting in the world is the main attraction of the Louvre museum in Paris, where it is seen by six million people every year! Leonardo da Vinci painted it from the year 1503 or 1504 until shortly before he died in 1519.

2. The Last Supper – Leonardo da Vinci.

This world famous painting is not shown in a museum, but rather covers the back wall of the dining hall at Santa Maria delle Grazie monastery in Milan, Italy. It was painted by the most famous artist of all time, Leonardo da Vinci in the late 15th-century. The painting depicts the scene of The Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples. Seeing this masterpiece in the small monastery is truly one of the best attractions Milan has to offer.

3. David Statue – Michelangelo

David is a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture created between 1501 and 1504, by the Italian artist Michelangelo. It is a 5.17-meter (17.0 ft) marble statue of a standing male nude. The statue represents the Biblical hero David. The statue is located in the Accademia Gallery in Florence since 1873.

4. The Creation Of Adam – Michelangelo.

Located on the ceiling of The Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, Rome. The Creation Of Adam was painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512 and it is just one of nine scenes from the book of Genesis that are painted on the center of the ceiling of the chapel

5. The Thinker – Auguste Rodin.

This bronze sculpture shows a nude male figure at about life-size sitting on a rock with his chin resting on one hand as though deep in thought, and is often used as an image to represent philosophy. There are about 28 full-size castings, in which the figure is about 186 cm (73 in) high, though not all were made during Rodin’s lifetime and under his supervision. Rodin first conceived the figure as part of another work in 1880, but the first of the familiar monumental bronze appeared in 1904.

6. Starry Night – Vincent van Gogh.

Painted by Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh in 1889, Starry Night is one of the most well-known paintings in modern culture. The painting is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The painting was the inspiration for the song “Vincent” (also known as “starry starry night”) by Don McLean. McLean’s song reference the painting as well as other paintings by the famous artist.

7. The Scream – Edvard Munch.

The most famous piece by Edvard Munch, painted around 1893. It was painted using oil and pastel on cardboard. This frightening painting is on display at The National Gallery, Oslo, Norway.

8. Aphrodite of Milos 

Also known as Venus de Milo, this ancient Greek statue was created sometime between 130 and 100 BC, and is believed to depict Aphrodite – the goddess of love and beauty. Made of marble, the statue is 203 cm (6 ft 8 in) in height and is believed to be the work of Alexandros of Antioch. Unfortunately, the arms and original plinth were lost. The statue is yet another big attraction of the Louvre museum in Paris.

9. The Persistence Of Memory – Salvador Dali.

Painted in 1931 by the Spanish artist Salvador Dali, The Persistence of Memory is one of the most recognizable pieces in art history. This work of art is known to make people ponder on their way of life and the way they spend their time, and it is also thought that Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity was inspired by this wonderful piece.

10. The Diskobolus of Myron 

This world famous Greek sculpture was completed around 460-450 BC. The artist is unknown and even the original bronze statue is lost but numerous copies – made either as full scale in marble, or smaller scale in bronze were found.