Oil painters are some of the pioneers of the art movement. From the Renaissance paintings to the postmodernist paintings, oil painters have been at the forefront of this movement, and are credited for bringing a change in the way the world perceives art. You might have heard a lot about popular names like Vincent Van Gogh and Leonardo Da Vince.
But not all of these painters were famous or popular when they were alive. For example, Van Gogh only sold one painting in his entire life. It was after his death that his art came to be recognized. However, a lot of painters who worked with oil saw great success in their lifetime. Painters like Pablo Picasso, Edvard Munch, and Salvadore Dali are perfect examples of successful painters. In this article, we talk about famous successful painters and their work.
Mona Lisa, Leonardo Da Vinci
Widely considered the most famous classic painting of all time, the Mona Lisa is the most celebrated and discussed painting in the world. It is housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris, which has given the painting its own mailbox because of the thousands of love letters it receives every year.
Leonardo Da Vinci was not just a painter, but also a scientist, inventor, and astronomer. His work includes anatomy, botany, cartography, and paleontology. He is considered one of the most talented individuals to ever walk the earth. The Mona Lisa, his most famous painting besides The Last Supper, took 12 years to finish!
Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and his Wife, Jan Van Eyck
This painting by Jan Van Eyck is a symbol of love, marriage, and companionship. Giovanni Arnolfini had moved to burdges with his young wife, Giovanna Cenami when he commissioned Jan Van Eyck to paint this famous painting. The painting depicts Jan Van Eyck’s attention to detail while painting people, as the lighting and shadows cast because of the open window on the left are painted meticulously.
Jan Van Eyck was one of the most famous artists of the Renaissance era. Several historians consider him the inventor of oil painting, which means that his work was the foundation of the most famous works of art you know of today.
The early Renaissance period would have been completely different if it was not for Jan Van Eyck’s work. His work in portraits and beautiful landscapes completely changed how people looked at oil paintings.
The Scream, Edvard Munch
One of the most iconic paintings of the 20th century, The Scream by Edvard Munch is actually not a single painting, but rather a series of oil paintings painted in the same style and format. The painting shows a humanoid figure clutching its face in fear or shock, while the bridge behind him takes the attention of the viewer away from the main character in the frame.
There is a lot of brilliant color work put into this painting by Edvard Munch. He was a Norwegian painter who saw a lot of success in his oil painting career but did not enjoy the same privilege in his personal life. In fact, his painters were banned in Nazi Germany as they were considered too degenerate. Despite this, Edvard Munch remains one of the most celebrated painters of the classic era.
Creation of Adam, Michelangelo
Another one of the most recognizable paintings in the modern world, Creation of Adam is one of the most famous paintings by Michelangelo. It has been a topic of debate throughout the years behind its meaning. Some say that this depicts God giving Adam life, as can be seen in the painting, but some argue that the area behind God in the painting looks like a brain, which means that this painting is shown as the transfer of knowledge.
Michelangelo Buonarroti, famously known as just Michelangelo, was not only a famous painter but also a sculptor. Born in Italy, he is credited with painting the famous Sistine Chapel and sculpting famous statues like David, Bacchus, and The Deposition. Besides being a painter and a sculptor, he was also famous as an architect and a poet.
The Philosopher in Meditation, Rembrandt
Like the Mona Lisa, this painting, called Philosopher in Meditation, is also housed in the Louvre museum in Paris. It is a mysterious piece of art that plays with darkness and light. You can see a philosopher sitting next to a window, while a winding staircase rises above him.
Rembrandt Van Rijn, famously known as just Rembrandt, was a part of the Baroque movement in the dutch golden age. Originally from the Netherlands, Rembrandt was known for his work with shadow and light in oil paintings. His other famous paintings include portraits and The Night Watch.
The Bottom Line
Oil painters have had a massive effect on history as we know it in the form of not just art but also culture. The paintings mentioned in this article are some of the most famous paintings throughout history and are still studied to this day. If you love oil paintings and want to get your hands on one of them, https://www.1st-art-gallery.com has an excellent collection of reproductions available at affordable prices for you!