Painting is an act of showing one’s creative thoughts and feelings, which may take various forms. Though the beauty of a painting of greatly relies on the taste of the onlooker, some paintings have made a mark in the history of paintings. Here is a list of 10 most exquisite paintings:
10. Lakeshore with Birches: By Gustav Klimt
This painting portrays a mesmerizing work of Gustav in which he has used his brush strokes efficiently to show the shadow of birches in the rippling waves of the lake. The color composition is very well chosen and balanced which set the rhythm of the jewelled waves. On the right are two intersecting trees and on the left the silver white effect of their shadow is highlighted. The bright yellow flowers along with lush green grasses and contrasting blue colour of water create a capturing effect on the onlooker.
9. A Fisherman’s Daughter: By Jules Breton
Breton is a Realist painter who had earned a good fame in France, England and the USA. He had a good hand at painting female figures usually set in a beautiful landscape. This painting shows a portrait of a lady standing against a rock along a river side and holding the fishing net in her hand. This painting was stolen during the First World War and came in news 90 years later when it resurfaced in New York. It was then returned to France by the Americans.
8. Cafe Terrace at Night: by Vincent Van Gogh
Cafe Terrace at Night is the jewel of Vincent’s rich career. Gogh has painted the outside of a night cafe where there are tiny figures of people drinking on the terrace. The painting shows night but it is not a shade of grey. There are houses beneath the azure blue sky which is decorated with numerous tiny stars.
7. Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I: by Gustav Klimt
This portrait is painted using oil, silver and gold on canvas to illustrate the heavy ornamentation adored by women in Jugendstil style. It also had the opportunity of being celebrated as the most expensive painting for 4 months. This painting is now housed in Neure Gallerie.
6. Dance at Le Moulin De La Galette: By Pierre-Auguste Renoir
French artist Renoir’s creation is one of the masterpiece of Impressionism created in 1876. It is currently showcased at the Musee d’ Orsay in Paris. During 19th century, the working class of Paris used to go at Moulin de la Galette on Sundays. The picture of this place is depicted in the painting where they used to party, dance, drink and enjoy themselves. The brush strokes used in the painting are impressively fluid and depict the color of real life.
5. Dora Maar Au Chat: By Pablo Picasso
This painting is Picasso’s most mysterious and enigmatic portrayal of mistress sitting in a wooden chair with a small black cat in the background. The combination of cat and woman is significant as it symbolises sexuality. Picasso has chosen an intricate design and pattern of the mistress painted with bright and well balanced composition. The mistress in the painting is his lover and artistic companion, so he has stressed on every single feature like well manicured hands and sharp painted nails.
4. Guernica: By Pablo Picasso
This piece of work is Guernica’s offhand reaction during Spanish world war describing Nazi’s Bombing practice. It portrays the catastrophe of war upon the civilians which lead it to become an anti-war symbol and amalgamation of epic style and preaching. This black and white painting tried to convey some political message with two dominant elements:- the horse and the bull. According to some critics, this horse represents people of Geurnica and the bull represents darkness or blitz of Fascism.
3. Starry Night: By Vincent Van Gogh
This painting is set in the backdrop of a calm night with twinkling stars, swirling clouds and luminescent crescent moon posing a tranquilizing effect. Though the features are over-emphasised but the viewer can connect stars dot-to dot forming a curve. This painting depicts a small town besides the hill with a church as the main attraction along with few small buildings. The sight of this painting definitely takes the onlooker on a voyage of memories when he used to get lost staring and admiring the beauty of night sky.
2. Luncheon of the Boating Party: By Pierre-Auguste-Renoir
This painting is based on the theme of lunch at the restaurant Fournaise. It was painted in 1875 and shows a brilliant brush work done using oil paint. The French impressionist Renoir has depicted his friends partying on the balcony of Fournaise along the river Seine, in Chatou. The art master Gustave Caillebotte is seen on the lower right side along with his future wife who is seen playing with a small dog in the foreground. The prime focus of Renoir is on the light coming from opening in the balcony and reflected by the white table cloth which is the soul of the painting.
1. Monalisa: By Leonardo Da Vinci
Leonardo’s work in this painting where he has portrayed a woman in pyramidal structure is outstanding. The beauty of this portrait lies in the fact that Monalisa’s eyes follow the viewer from wherever he looks. The folded hand of Monalisa forms the front corner of the pyramid and her upright posture characterizes her reserved nature. In the effect of light the underlying geometry comprising of spheres and circles is also emphasised. Leonardo avoided drawing outlines which makes Monalisa look alive to the viewer.
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