International auction houses handle artwork valued at billions of dollars each year, while top institutions each possess tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of pieces in their collections. But very few people ever acquire the level of fame necessary to be regarded as household names.
Mona Lisa
It should come as no surprise that the most famous painting in the world is that mysterious woman with the enigmatic smile. But that’s one of the few certainties about this work of art. The sitter in the painting is thought to be Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Florence merchant Francesco DelGiocondo, but experts aren’t sure. It represented an innovation in art, the painting is the earliest known Italian portrait to focus so closely on the sitter in a half-length portrait, according to the Louvre, where it was first installed in 1804.
The Last Supper
Leonardo, the original Renaissance man, is the only artist to appear on this list twice.Painted in an era when religious imagery was still a dominant artistic theme, ‘The Last Supper’ depicts the last time Jesus broke bread with his disciples before his crucifixion. The painting is actually a huge fresco 4.6 meters (15 feet) high and 8.8 meters (28.9 feet) wide, which makes for a memorable viewing.
Guernica
This is the most recent painting on this list, and it depicts the German aerial bombing of the town of Guernica in the Basque region during the Spanish Civil War.The painting has that distinctive Picasso style, and its unflinching examination of the horrors of war made it an essential part of 20th century culture and history.
Las Meninas
Madrid is the only city in this roundup where you’ll find two of the most 10 famous paintings, the first being Guernica at No. 5 and Las Maninas here at No. 9.Housed at the popular (and vast) Prado, Las Meninas is not only Diego Velázquez`s most famous painting,it’s also one of his largest. The complexity of the work has fascinated art critics and the public for centuries.
Creation of Adam
The most famous work by renowned artist Michelangelo covers a section of the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling you have to look up to view it. The scene depicts God and Adam with outstretched arms, their fingers nearly touching. It is one of the most replicated images in history. Adam’s muscular form hints at Michelangelo’s other talent, his “David” is possibly the world’s most famous sculpture. The towering marble statue at the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence can be seen.