Throughout history, there have been certain pieces of art that stand above the rest. Whether that's due to the incredible skill the artist used to create it or because of the significant culture or historical moment captured, there is no denying that some famous artworks have made an indelible mark on history. We've reached into the past to look at some of the most famous paintings and sculptures that art history has to offer and pulled together our list of the most famous artworks of all time.

From ancient Greek statues to Impressionist masterpieces, these pieces of art are important markers of Western culture. And by learning more about them, you'll move from major art movements like the Italian Renaissance to Realism, Impressionism, Cubism, and much more. Our list culminates in the 1940s, making it a timeline that spans centuries of art that continues to influence our world today.

Several noted artists made the list twice, starting with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo and finishing with Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso. Artistic themes pass from mythology and religion, as exemplified by the Creation of Adam on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, to historical subject matter that touches on major moments like the French Revolution. Other works, like Vermeer's The Girl with a Pearl Earring, are simple portraits that continue to captivate our imagination. And there's even one, The Great Wave off Kanagawa, that represents non-Western tradition.

Scroll down to see the 37 famous artworks that left their mark on history, and click the links to go in-depth about the significance and history of each piece.

Here are the 37 most famous pieces of art in history, in chronological order.

Venus de Milo

“Venus de Milo,” late 2nd century BCE (Photo: Nan Palmero, CC BY 2.0)

Nike of Samothrace

“Nike of Samothrace,” c. 200–190 BCE (Photo: warasit/Depositphotos)

Arnolfini Portrait by Jan Van Eyck

Jan Van Eyck, “The Arnolfini Portrait,” 1434 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch

Hieronymus Bosch, “Garden of Earthly Delights,” between 1480 and 1505 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli

Sandro Botticelli, “The Birth of Venus,” c. 1486 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci, “The Last Supper,” 1498 (Photo: Haltadefinizione via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

David by Michelangelo

Michelangelo, “David,” 1501–1504 (Photo: Jörg Bittner Unna via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci, “Mona Lisa,” between c. 1503 and 1506 (Photo: Wikipedia, Public domain)

Sistine Chapel Ceiling by Michelangelo

Michelangelo, Sistine Chapel ceiling, 1508–1512 (Photo: Jean-Christophe Benoist via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

School of Athens by Raphael

Raphael, “The School of Athens,” 1511 (Photo: Wikipedia, Public domain)

The Netherlandish Proverbs by Pieter Bruegel

Pieter Bruegel the Elder, “The Netherlandish Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo: Wikipedia, Public domain)

The Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn

Rembrandt, “The Night Watch,” 1642 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)

Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez

Diego Velázquez, “Las Meninas,” 1656 (Photo: Wikiart, Public domain)

Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer

Johannes Vermeer, “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” c. 1665 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

The Swing by Jean-Honoré Fragonard

Jean-Honoré Fragonard, “The Swing,” 1767 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

The Death of Marat by Jacques-Louis David

Jacques-Louis David, “The Death of Marat,” 1793 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)

The Third of May 1808 by Francisco Goya

Francisco Goya, “The Third of May 1808,” 1814 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)

The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai

Katsushika Hokusai, “The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” c. 1826–1833 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)

Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix 

Eugène Delacroix, “Liberty Leading the People,” 1830 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Luncheon on the Grass by Édouard Manet

Édouard Manet, “The Luncheon on the Grass,” 1863 (Photo: Wikipedia, Public Domain)

Whistler's Mother by James Abbott McNeill Whistler

James McNeill Whistler, “Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1,” 1871 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)

Impression, Sunrise by Claude Monet

Claude Monet, “Impression Sunrise,” 1872 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Bal du moulin de la Galette by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Pierre-Auguste Renoir, “Bal du moulin de la Galette,” 1876 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)

A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat

Georges Seurat, “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,” 1884–1886 (Photo: The Art Institute of Chicago, Public domain)

Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh, “The Starry Night,” 1889 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain )

The Scream by Edvard Munch

Edvard Munch, “The Scream,” 1893 (Photo: Wikipedia, Public domain)

The Thinker by Auguste Rodin

Auguste Rodin, “The Thinker,” 1904 (Photo: Roman Suzuki via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 DEED)

Water Lilies by Claude Monet

Claude Monet, “Water-Lilies,” 1907 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Les Demoiselles d'Avignon by Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso, “Les Demoiselles d'Avignon,” 1907 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

The Kiss by Gustav Klimt

Gustav Klimt, “The Kiss,” 1907–1908 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Fountain by Marcel Duchamp

Marcel Duchamp, “Fountain,” 1917 (Photo: Alfred Stieglitz via Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)

American Gothic by Grant Wood

Grant Wood, “American Gothic,” 1930 (Photo: Art Institute of Chicago via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Composition II in Red, Yellow, and Blue by Piet Mondrian

Piet Mondrian, “Composition II in Red, Blue, and Yellow,” 1930 (Photo: Wikipedia Commons, Public domain)

The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dalí

Guernica by Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso, “Guernica,” 1937

The Two Fridas by Frida Kahlo

 

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Nighthawks by Edward Hopper

Edward Hopper, “Nighthawks,” 1942 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

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After spending several years photographing starling murmurations in his native Denmark, photographer Søren Solkær has spread his wings and traveled across Europe to document the phenomenon. The migration routes of these passerines brought Solkær from Ireland and England to the Netherlands and Italy, where he photographed their incredible formations in the sky.

The result is Starling, a follow-up to his well-received book Black Sun. The book includes 138 images, including a new series of work that takes Solkær's passion for these birds to a new level. Using light and electron microscopes, he was able to photograph their feathers. This added layer of visual information only serves to assist Solkær in unraveling the magic and mystery of their flight patterns.

Starling is set for release on December 26 and is available for purchase on the artist's website. The publication comes on the heels of another important moment for the photographer. On December 9, his exhibition Søren Solkær:Black Sun opens at Seattle's National Nordic Museum. It is his first major exhibition in the United States will feature over 50 photographs and pieces of video art. As part of the programming, the public will also have the opportunity to hear Solkær speak about his work at an event on December 10.

Both the book and exhibition are an incredible opportunity to study his images in-depth. While many photographers enjoy documenting these avian formations, Solkær does so with the eyes of a fine art photographer. He has a knack for picking up on uncanny shapes and really exploring the sinuous curves of the flock.

Danish photographer Søren Solkær is known for his evocative photos of starling murmurations.

He has been following their formations across Europe, from the United Kingdom to Italy.

His first exhibition in the United States is opening at Seattle's National Nordic Museum on December 9.

He also has a new book, Starling, that is currently available for pre-sale.

The book contains 138 images, including new work focusing on the microscopic details of the starling's feathers.

By photographing these birds in many different ways, Solkær shares his passion for the starling's behavior with the world.

Søren Solkær: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Søren Solkær.

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Self-Portrait, New York, New York, 1954

In spring 2024, Vivian Maier will get her first exhibition in the United States. The late street photographer rose to acclaim posthumously when her vast archive of images was discovered in a storage unit and made public, and now her vision of post-war America is coming to New York City thanks to Fotografiska. The organization is bringing Maier back to her hometown with an exhibition of around 200 works that include vintage and modern prints, as well as Super 8 films and soundtracks.

Vivian Maier will trace the photographer's artistic journey as she honed her skills. The exhibition begins with her early photographs of 1950s New York City, taken during her downtime while she was working as a nanny, all the way up to images from the mid-1980s. Visitors will get an in-depth feel for her work and the visual language that she developed as she photographed women, children, couples, and even herself.

“The discovery of Vivian Maier's archive and her extraordinary work is one of those rare stories that captures the public's imagination,” said Sophie Right, executive director of Fotografiska New York. “We are thrilled to be premiering this beautiful exhibition in her hometown of New York—it's a testament to her distinct perspective and talent, and an honor for the museum.”

Vivian Maier will run from May 31, 2024, to September 2024, at Fotografiska New York.

For the first time, an institution in the United States will present the work of acclaimed street photographer Vivian Maier.

Chicago, Illinois, May, 16, 1957

Untitled, 1958

Fotografiska New York is holding the show, which opens in May 2024, and will put around 200 pieces of her work on display.

Grenoble, France, 1959.

Central Park, New York, September 26, 1959

Fotografiska: Website | Instagram | Facebook

All photos ©Estate of Vivian Maier, Courtesy of Maloof Collection and Howard Greenberg Gallery, NY. My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Fotografiska.

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The countdown to the end of the year is on, and for the last quiz of 2023, we thought we'd look back at the year in entertainment. This fun trivia quiz is based on some of the biggest stories in entertainment that we've covered on My Modern Met. Covering film, music, television, and celebrity news, these questions will test your knowledge.

So dive in and see just how much you know about everything happening in entertainment. And, if you enter your email address, we'll also send you some of the biggest stories of the year.

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Winner, International Landscape Photograph of the Year. Blake Randall (Canada)

Australian photographer Tony Hewitt and Canadian photographer Blake Randall won the top prizes at the 2023 International Landscape Photographer of the Year contest. Hewitt was named Landscape Photographer of the Year for his impressive portfolio, while Blake's single image of birch trees casting a reflection in the water was deemed the most impressive photo of the entire competition.

There were over 4,000 entries to the contest, which is now in its 10th year. In addition to the main prizes, the competition also hands out special awards that change each year. In 2023, awards for the best Aerial, Seascape, Black and White, Desert, and Ice & Snow photos were also handed out. Many different facets of the natural landscape were highlighted through these categories, and these international photographers saw their creative talents rewarded, whether they spent time in the forest or bundled up on an iceberg.

An esteemed panel of judges, which included 2022 Landscape Photographer of the Year Benjamin Briones Grandi, had the difficult task of sorting through the imagery. Aside from awarding the top three portfolios, single images, and deciding the special prizes, they also selected the top 200 landscape images overall.

Check out all of the winners and some of our favorite finalists. If you like what you see, pick up a copy of the 2023 competition book, which has all of the winners and top 101 images.

Here are the winners of the 2023 International Landscape Photographer of the Year contest.

Winner, International Landscape Photographer of the Year. Tony Hewitt (Australia)

Winner, International Landscape Photographer of the Year. Tony Hewitt (Australia)

3rd Place, International Landscape Photographer of the Year. Matt Meisenheimer (United States)

Runner-Up, International Landscape Photograph of the Year. Peter Meyer (Australia)

3rd Place, International Landscape Photographer of the Year. Matt Meisenheimer (United States)

Runner-Up, International Landscape Photographer of the Year. Andrew Mielzynski (Canada)

3rd Place, International Landscape Photograph of the Year. Isabella Tabacchi (Italy)

Runner-Up, International Landscape Photographer of the Year. Andrew Mielzynski (Canada)

In addition to a portfolio and single image awards, prizes were also given out for several special categories.

Winner, Black and White. Jim Guerard (United States)

Winner, Snow & Ice. Thomas Vijayan (Canada)

Winner, Desert. John Seager (United Kingdom)

Winner, Aerial. Casey McCallister (United States)

Winner, Seascapes. Ciaran Willmore (Ireland)

The winners, as well as the top 101 photos overall, will see their work published in the contest's annual photo book.

Top 100 Photo. Carolyn Cheng (Canada)

Top 100 Photo. Froydis Dalheim (Norway)

Top 100 Photo. Shirley Wung (Taiwan)

Top 100 Photo. Marcin Zajac (Poland)

Top 100 Photo. Peter Adam Hoszang (Hungary)

Top 100 Photo. Kévin Pagès (Iceland)

Top 100 Photo. Hans Gunnar Aslaksen (Norway)

International Landscape Photographer of the Year: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by ILPOTY.

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Frida painting a portrait of her father Guillermo, 1951 by Giséle Freund. (Photo: © 2010 Banco de México in its capacity as Trustee in the Trust relating to the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Museums)
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Frida Kahlo was not only a great painter, but she was also a collector. When she died, much of this collection was placed into storage after certain objects were selected for display in her home-turned-museum, La Casa Azul. This included over 6,000 photographs that show Kahlo's interests, tastes, and the people she held most dear. Now, thanks to a newly reissued publication, the public can gain even more insight into her life.

Frida Kahlo: Her Photos, was originally published by Editorial RM in 2010 and had gone out of print. In the reissue, art lovers can once again enjoy hundreds of black-and-white images, many of which are annotated or contain notes. Given that Kahlo's father, Guillermo, was one of the most important photographers in early 20th-century Mexico, it should come as no surprise that she was meticulous about collecting images.

While many of the photographs were likely taken by Kahlo herself, and some of them are even signed by her, her collection consists of many great names in photography. This not only includes her father, but images by Man Ray, Edward Weston, Giséle Freud, Martin Munkacsi, Pierre Verger, and many others.

From intimate looks at her life with Diego Rivera to photos of her working on her art, Frida Kahlo: Her Photos is an incredible way to get to know the famed Mexican painter in a holistic way. The book is available in both English and Spanish on Bookshop, as well as on the Editorial RM website.

Frida Kahlo: Her Photos is a look at the Mexican painter's vast photographic collection.

Adolfo Best Maugard, María Luisa Cabrera de Block and Frida Kahlo, ca. 1945. (Photo: © 2010 Banco de México in its capacity as Trustee in the Trust relating to the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Museums)

Her personal collection shows her interests and tastes, as well as intimate glimpses of daily life.

General Emiliano Zapata, with written dedication by him to Colonel Felix Rojas. November 1916 by H. J. Gutiérrez (Photo: © 2010 Banco de México in its capacity as Trustee in the Trust relating to the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Museums)

Revolutionaries (Photo: © 2010 Banco de México in its capacity as Trustee in the Trust relating to the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Museums)

The collection of over 6,000 photographs was shut away in storage following Kahlo's death.

Diego Rivera, 1933 by Esther Born (Photo: © 2010 Banco de México in its capacity as Trustee in the Trust relating to the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Museums)

The Eye of Diego in 1936. (Photo: © 2010 Banco de México in its capacity as Trustee in the Trust relating to the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Museums)

Diego Rivera with his models Nieves Orozco and Inesita(Photo: © 2010 Banco de México in its capacity as Trustee in the Trust relating to the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Museums)

Thanks to a reissue of its 2010 publication, Editorial RM is allowing the public to gain deeper insight into the painter's life.

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Editorial RM.

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Gift-giving can be really tricky. If you haven’t been told explicit instructions on what someone wants, you’re making an educated guess. Or, if you aren't the best at shopping in advance, you may find yourself scrambling for a gift. That’s where gift certificates come in handy. Not only do they provide someone with the choice of what they get, but they also make the perfect last-minute gifts. My Modern Met Academy, our e-learning platform, offers gift certificates, so you can give the gift of creativity and provide your recipient the chance to learn something new. It’s an experience they won’t soon forget.

All My Modern Met Academy classes are taught by instructors who are experts in their field. The courses, which range in length from one to three hours, cover illustration, painting, photography, and crafts, which is sure to appeal to a wide array of creative folks. They can also watch the course as many times as they want.

We offer two gift certificate prices: $34.95 and $45.95, to reflect the two price points of our classes. After you purchase the gift, you’ll receive a printable certificate and code to pass on to the recipient.

Upon buying a My Modern Met Academy gift certificate, you’ll receive a special email from us to confirm your purchase. Within 48 hours of our initial email, you will receive a second email with a custom gift certificate for the recipient in a PDF format. You have the option to either present the certificate in its digital format or print a physical certificate. Because the gift includes a custom certificate, please allow us time for that; gift certificates ordered on Friday will be fulfilled on Monday.

Give the gift of creativity when you visit My Modern Met Academy.

Looking for the perfect last-minute gift for the creative in your life? Why not try a gift certificate from My Modern Met Academy.

On this e-learning platform, you can gift a painting, drawing, crafting, or photography class that the recipient can watch at their leisure.

There are two gift certificates available—$34.95 and $44.95—to reflect the two price points of our classes.

After you purchase the gift, you’ll receive a printable certificate and code to pass on to the recipient.

Then, they can sign up for the course they'd like and start learning new creative skills.

My Modern Met Academy: Website | Facebook | Instagram

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The creative minds at Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) have revealed their newest design, located in the city of Prague. The Masaryčka building is a new, contemporary addition to the Czech capital that integrates with the modernization of the historic Masaryk Railway Station. Rising up like a bronzed razor blade, Masaryčka provides access to new civic spaces in the capital city.

With over 300,000 square feet of office and retail space spread across seven levels on its eastern section and nine levels on its western end, Masaryčka was designed to meet modern working patterns. At the same time, it gives life to a construction site that had been abandoned for several decades. ZHA has revitalized the area through its construction and has also given back public space by replacing a public car park with a square that welcomes travelers to the city and provides an interchange between the railway, trams, and city buses.

ZHA's design was inspired by Prague's historic Old Town, which is known as the “Golden City of 100 Spires.” Masaryčka's golden fin is a contemporary nod to this heritage, while at the same time providing practical solar shading. In keeping with their ethos to work sustainably, ZHA targeted LEED platinum certification with a double-insulated façade and cascading terraces that divide the eastern and western sections of the building.

Communal roof gardens provide panoramic views of the city and are filled with local species of plants, shrubs, and trees irrigated by Masaryčka’s rainwater collection system. Low-flow systems and graywater recycling will further reduce the center’s water consumption. Furthermore, the architects prioritized local suppliers and materials with a high recycled content to meet the 2025 targets for embodied & operational carbon established by the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge.

When Czech Railways’ renovation of Masaryk Railway Station is completed in 2026, there will be a new public square over the tracks that will give access to train platforms and the subway. This will bring the station's modernization to completion and make it a fully accessible transport hub, even while it retains its historic flavor.

Construction has been completed on Zaha Hadid Architect's Masaryčka in Prague.

Divided into eastern and western sections, the modern building is part of a larger project to modernize one of the city's railway stations.

The bronze fins on the façade are a nod to the many spires that dot Prague's historic Old Town.

Masaryčka is filled with office and retail space and has rooftop gardens that provide panoramic views of the city.

Masaryčka is playing a key role in revitalizing an area that had gone unused for decades.

Zaha Hadid Architects: Website | Instagram | X | Facebook | LinkedIn

Photos by BoysPlayNice. My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by ZHA.

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“Watery Shapes” by Phillip Glombik. First Place.

Photos of sweeping scenic landscapes from all corners of the earth were entered into The Independent Photographer‘s Landscape Photography Awards and the winners of the November 2023 contest have just been announced. Judged by renowned National Geographic photographer Jim Richardson, the winners and finalists are a beautiful look at the natural world.

Photographer Phillip Glombik took home the top prize for his evocative aerial photo of a river in Iceland. Taken with a drone at the end of the Ölfus River, the image has a calm, hypnotic composition that won over Richardson. 

“This was the image that always pulled me back, always invited me to get lost in wonder,” says Richardson, who is the co-founder of the educational collaborative Eyes On Earth. “I know what it is: river sediments in Iceland. But in places, it echoes the forces of creation we see in space telescope images of galactic nebula where stars are born. In other places, it echoes the desert dunes, or perhaps arctic blizzard drifts. The patterns are primordial. But what struck me most is how this image was elevated over similar images by the pattern or ripples that lay over the whole image like a veil. Just wonderful.”

The celebrated photographer also appreciated Ed Smith's look at a cloud inversion sweeping across the Scottish Highlands, which came in second place. He was particularly drawn to the mystery of the image and the way it bucks the traditional manner in which landscapes are often portrayed.

See more of the powerful winners and finalists below in this contest that honors one of photography's oldest and most beloved genres. And then stay tuned to see who will win December's monthly contest, which is currently taking submissions and is centered around the theme People.

Here are the winners of The Independent Photographer Landscape Photography Awards.

“Fringes of Abernethy” by Ed Smith. Second Place.

“Morning Freeze” by Remi Bergougnoux. Third Place.

“Mystical Driftwood Drift” by Jacqueline Anders. Finalist.

“Misty-rious Hill” by Ian Asprey. Finalist.

“Offshore” by Michael Jurek. Finalist.

“Frozen Migration” by Nicolas Castermans. Finalist.

“Into the Mist” by Brandon Yoshizawa. Finalist.

“Inversion” by Kyle Barden. Finalist.

“Untitled” by William Holderfield. Finalist.

The Independent Photographer: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by The Independent Photographer.

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Photo: Damen Shipyard

If you are working on a ship and lose a piece of precious cargo or equipment at the bottom of the sea, it would appear that all is lost. But that is not always the case. A ship specifically built for this type of recovery actually exists, and it works in an ingenious way. In fact, one currently patrols Germany's Rhine River, helping recover important materials that would otherwise remain abandoned. Called a diving bell ship, it creates a safe chamber for workers to descend down and haul out anything needed without them ever having to get wet.

These ships work by having a shaft lower a chamber to the bottom of the sea. Once there, a compressor blows air inside the chamber, which empties out the water. At this point, the river bed is exposed, and the only thing left to do is send workers into the chamber to retrieve the items. However, due to the highly pressurized nature of the chamber, workers must first spend some time in a pressurized cabin to acclimate themselves. Then, once they are ready, they descend into the chamber through a stairwell in the shaft.

Afterward, it's just a matter of collecting the lost material or carrying out whatever work is required. Of course, if it's a heavy item like an anchor, that process is a bit more involved. Workers will strap heavier materials to a crank that will assist them in pulling the item to the surface.

Currently, there are just two diving bell ships working in Europe, and they both patrol the Rhine. Due to the nature of the river and its rapid currents, regular diving excursions are dangerous. That's why Damen Shipyards uses the Carl Straat, which has been in operation since 1963, and its 2021 replacement, Archimedes, when carrying out work on the river floor.

Both ships can work at depths of up to 10 meters (nearly 33 feet), though most work is done at four to seven meters (13 to 23 feet). They are kept busy carrying out a wide variety of activities, which include maintenance, lock and buoy inspection, cargo retrieval, bottom sampling, and even removing unexploded ordnance from World War II.

And while this concept seems futuristic, diving bells have been used for centuries. In fact, the first modern diving bell was used by Guglielmo de Lorena in 1535 to explore the remains of Caligula's barges in Italy's Lake Nemi. These diving bell ships just take the technology and use it on a larger scale. To learn more about how they work, check out the short documentary below.

Diving bell ships roam Germany's Rhine River and allow workers to go underwater without getting wet.

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