1. Claude Monet, The Artist’s Garden at Vétheuil, 1881
French painter Claude Monet frequently depicted gardens, which sets him apart, especially with his young son accompanying him on the path. Monet is recognized as one of the pioneers of impressionist art.
Give it a go: Create a Monet masterpiece at KinderArt.
2. Vincent van Gogh, Self-Portrait, 1889
This self-portrait was the first painting completed by Van Gogh in 1889, following a significant mental breakdown. Vincent Van Gogh is perhaps best known for his 30-plus self-portraits, but his subjects varied.
Give it a try: Create a Van Gogh painting using forks at Projects with Kids.
3. Edgar Degas, The Dance Class, 1873
Edgar Degas, the French impressionist, was known best for creating over 1,500 artworks dedicated to his love of ballet. He excelled in sculpting, drawing, and painting dancers, surpassing any other artistic endeavors.
4. El Greco, Christ Driving the Money Changers From the Temple, 1570
Art historians regard the work of art from El Greco’s period in Venice highly. He possessed skills in architecture, sculpture, and painting. El Greco was a versatile individual.
5. Pietro Lorenzetti, Madonna and Child, With the Blessing Christ [middle panel], probably 1340
In Pisa, a widely recognized theme was the depiction of Christ consuming cherries, leading some to speculate that this artwork was commissioned for a church. Pietro Lorenzetti and his younger sibling Ambrogio introduced a sense of realism into the artistic style of the Sienese School.
6. Paul Cézanne, Still Life With Milk Jug and Fruit, 1900
Paul Cézanne, a notable French painter, painted many different subjects throughout his career, but he is well known for his lifelike depiction of various subjects. He paved the way for movements like Cubism in the 20th century, while breaking away from impressionism.
Give it a shot: Still Life Sketching for Children on YouTube.
7. Rembrandt van Rijn, A Polish Nobleman, 1637
Although this portrait currently resides in the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., It previously belonged to Andrew Mellon and Catherine the Great, who were both renowned patrons of the Golden Age artist Rembrandt from Holland.
8. Amedeo Modigliani, Adrienne (Woman With Bangs), 1917
Give it a try: How To Sketch Similar to Modigliani at Art Projects for Kids.
9. Mary Cassatt, The Boating Party, 1893
Cassatt was an American painter and printmaker who spent much of her life in France, associating with the Impressionists. This painting is emblematic of her work, as it includes the motif of a child and mother.
10. Paolo Veronese, The Finding of Moses, 1581
Veronese, an Italian painter from the Renaissance era, created various versions of the discovery of Moses in his artwork.
11. Gustav Klimt, Baby (Cradle), 1917/1918
Klimt, an Austrian painter, had a distinct and easily recognizable style because of his eclectic mix of influences. His paintings, swirling with mass and draped in baby blankets, certainly represent a symbolic and representative style.
Famous Paintings Not in the Public Domain
12. Lucian Freud, Girl With a Kitten, 1947
Lucian Freud, a renowned painter, expressed his dissatisfaction with one of his completed paintings, stating that the subject closely resembled his first wife Kathleen. He wanted the person in the painting to be more like his friends and lovers, as he knew well how to capture their essence in his portraits.
13. Roy Lichtenstein, M-Maybe, 1970
Despite being relatively unknown to the general public, Roy Lichtenstein, the artist, frequently chose to depict individual panels from comic books in his artwork, desiring a mechanical aesthetic for his pieces. He played a prominent role in the American pop art movement and was primarily known as a painter. Iconic paintings such as M-Maybe are often easily identifiable.
Give it a try: Lichtenstein Art Projects for Children at Artsy Craftsy Mom.
14. Georgia O’Keeffe, Cow’s Skull: Red, White, and Blue, 1931
No complete list would be without the famous paintings of O’Keeffe. She was also a key contributor to the modern art movement, focusing earlier in her career on the skyscrapers and natural elements of the Southwest before later turning her attention to New York City. She was one of the most successful painters of the 20th century.
Give it a try: Engage in Georgia O’Keeffe Art Activities at Jenny Knappenberger’s.
15. Amy Sherald, First Lady Michelle Obama, 2018
In 2018, the official presidential portraits of Barack Obama and Michelle were created by African American artists Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, respectively. These paintings became the first African American presidential portraits in the National Portrait Gallery, drawing record numbers of visitors to Sherald’s portrait of Obama.
16. Gu Kaizhi, The Admonitions of the Instructress to the Court Ladies, approximately 344-406
Gu Kaizhi was also a renowned Chinese painter and writer. This hand-painted scroll depicts a political satire, showcasing the indulgence of an Empress.
17. Christine Ay Tjoe, Hyaluronic Pledge #05, 2022
#05 Pledge Hyaluronic is a significant component of a larger series, which is listed as one of our famous paintings. It is the recent masterpiece that delves into the exploration of an imaginary organism. Tjoe Ay Christine, an Indonesian artist, explores the themes of human condition through her abstract and layered dramatic paintings.
18. Jasper Johns, Flag, 1954/1955
Jasper Johns was mainly known for his style of painting, which was expressionistic and abstract. He used large, free gestures to paint everyday objects in order to truly disturb the viewer when they saw them.
Give it a try: Jasper Johns Flag Art for the Fourth of July at Art History Kids.
19. Hannah Höch, In Front of a Red Evening Sun, n.d
Höch, the founder of Dadaism in Berlin, highlighted painting in particular with her experimentation in abstract art, including photomontage. Eventually, the Nazi regime would ban this anti-art movement in the 1930s.
20. Edvard Munch, The Scream, 1893
Edvard Munch, a Norwegian painter and one of the most prominent figures of the modern art movement, based his autobiographical painting “The Scream” on an experience but painted it in a nondescript manner. “The Scream” might be more famous and easily recognizable than even the Mona Lisa.