Landscape is considered one of the most sought-after and very popular genres. Landscapes in oils are of great interest to both ordinary viewers and professional collectors. Beautiful oil landscapes have a distinct property and even a certain ability to create a harmonious and cozy environment in the home. Apparently, along with other circumstances and nuances, this factor plays a very important role in the love of oil paintings.

The landscape expresses the artist’s worldview, striving with all his might to capture nature in just one moment. Worthy, talented artists can do this. Let's take for example the St. Petersburg artist Dmitry Kustanovich and his, executed in the best traditions of modern impressionism or nature landscapes in oil Chinese artist Hong Leung, whose work we will look at a little later in this article.

They say simplicity is perfection. It is this postulate that is well applicable to the most complex form of art - oil painting. After all, the artist not only needs to paint the canvas with talent and freedom, but, first of all, to see in the ordinary and simple the whole essence, whose name is beauty. Oil painting technique when used skillfully, it wonderfully conveys the richness of color and variety of shapes. Landscapes in oils give the viewer all the beauty of our civilization. The cost of such works is priceless, but realistically, they are often purchased by collectors for substantial sums.

Hong Leung is a self-taught artist who creates landscapes in oils with a complete absence of frames, from the purest colors, giving in to the freedom of brush movement. You can even say that the author's landscapes are not written, but sung from the heart. Peering at the works of the Chinese artist, you little by little begin to drown in abstraction and its depth. Confidence and inner strength are visible in his paintings. It is definitely noticeable that he knows what he is doing... Each of us has the right to evaluate the degree of his rightness.

In the world of art, there are a huge number of works that shocked the whole world and, breaking the usual stereotypes, left a major mark on history. The creators of world-famous painting masterpieces posed a unique challenge to society, which changed its idea of ​​beauty and pushed the established boundaries. Since there are many such revolutionary works in the history of art and it is impossible to cover them all, we decided to pay attention to the 10 most famous paintings by artists from different centuries.

Mona Lisa (La Gioconda) - Leonardo da Vinci

Mona Lisa

The painting “Mona Lisa” (“La Gioconda”) by Leonardo da Vinci is probably the most famous work of the genius. This painting is truly beautiful and priceless. It is located in the Louvre Museum. The masterpiece was created in 1514 - 1515. Until recently, it was assumed that the painting was painted earlier - in 1503.

The painting depicts the wife of a silk merchant from Florence, Francesco del Gioconda, Lisa Gherardini, so first the Italians and then the French began to call the painting “Gioconda”. The famous 16th-century historian Giorgio Vasari was delighted with the portrait and in his book “The Lives of Eminent Italian Architects, Sculptors and Artists” called it a shortened version of the word madonna (“my lady”) - Mona Lisa.

In the process of working on the painting, the artist, through careful composition, a soft range of tones and painting techniques, achieved that harmony, thanks to which we see the image as if through an invisible haze. This light coating covers small details, softens outlines and creates an invisible transition between shape and colors. Leonardo da Vinci gave our imagination a lot, so Gioconda never ceases to amaze art connoisseurs over the centuries, looking at us from the portrait as if alive.

The picture is very difficult to describe in words: the longer the viewer looks at it, the more it affects him. He is imbued with its magnetism and begins to feel that alluring charm that has not ceased to captivate people all over the world for centuries.

Black Square - Kazimir Malevich

Kazimir Malevich's painting "Black Suprematist Square", painted in 1915, still remains one of the most scandalous, famous and discussed works in Russian art. This masterpiece is part of the artist’s series of Suprematist works, which also included the paintings “Black Circle” and “Black Cross”. In this cycle, Malevich tried to explore basic color and compositional possibilities.

The canvas is presented in the form of a small canvas with a width and length of 79.5 centimeters. The main background of the work is white, in the center there is an image of a large black square. According to the artist, he worked on the canvas for several months.

It is worth noting that Malevich did not come to painting the painting right away. Work on the scenery of the opera “Victory over the Sun” was a harbinger of its appearance. In particular, the master decided to replace one of the decorations (the sun) with a black square. According to the artist’s idea, this technique would help him convey the idea of ​​the triumph of human creativity over nature.

Critics reacted ambiguously to this work by Malevich. Some of them even argued that the painting is a modern alternative to icons, that the painting testifies to the search for some new religion, about the chaos of the world. According to the artist himself, “Black Square” is a kind of symbol of the pinnacle of art and at the same time its end.

It remains undeniable that the picture depicts a mysterious abyss that captivates and gives an endless flight of imagination.

Self-Portrait with Crown of Thorns and Hummingbird - Frida Kahlo

The famous painting by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, Self-Portrait with a Crown of Thorns and a Hummingbird, was painted in 1940. This self-portrait of a brilliant woman expresses the severe mental pain that she experienced after her divorce from her husband, the artist Diego Rivera. This pain is conveyed in the form of thorns that bind her neck. Subsequently, after breaking up with her husband, Frida Kahlo said: “There were two accidents in my life,” Frida said. - The first is a tram, the second is Diego. The second one is worse."

The Scream - Edvard Munch

The painting "The Scream" by Norwegian expressionist artist Edvard Munch was created between 1893 and 1910. The first thing that catches your eye is the figure of a screaming man depicted in the center of the canvas. On the face, contorted with horror, the viewer sees boundless despair on the verge of madness. The artist conveyed powerful human emotions using fairly simple means.

“The Scream” is a symbol of expressionism, a kind of prelude to the art of the 20th century. Munch's work is still one of the most extraordinary and mysterious in world painting today. Some experts even suggest that the plot of the work is a figment of the unhealthy imagination of a mentally ill person.

Viewers also see it differently: some personify it with a premonition of disaster, others believe that the author painted the picture, inspired by the image of a mummy. Everyone sees something different in her.

Girl with a Pearl Earring - Jan Vermeer

The famous work of the Dutch artist Jan Vermeer “Girl with a Pearl Earring” (“Girl in a Turban”) is often called the Dutch Mona Lisa. The painting was painted around 1665. Little is known about this painting. There are several versions of who is depicted in the painting, whether the author painted it to order and who the customer was. According to one of them, Vermeer depicted his daughter Mary on the canvas.

Definitely, this is an unusual work, with unique dynamics. The artist conveyed in the work the moment when the sitter turns her head and looks at the person she just noticed. The author drew the viewer's attention to the pearl earring in the girl's ear. The master managed to convey the connection between the young woman and the artist. Her figure lives a separate life, and her head looks in the other direction.

Self-portrait with a severed ear and pipe - Vincent Van Gogh

The Dutch and French artist Vincent van Gogh painted his famous “Self-Portrait with a Cut-off Ear and Pipe” in 1889 while in Arles. The artist suffered from mental illness due to his heightened perception of reality and mental imbalance.

The portrait was painted after Van Gogh, in a fit of madness, cut off his earlobe after a quarrel with Gauguin over creative differences. First, Van Gogh threw a glass at the artist’s head, then rushed at him with a razor. That same evening he mutilated himself.

Having examined the picture, we will notice that the background is divided into two equal parts: the lower zone is red, the upper zone is orange with yellow splashes. The author depicted himself with distorted facial features and a lost look.

The Last Supper - Salvador Dali

The famous master of surrealism Salvador Dali created his “Last Supper” in 1955. The painting is in the Washington National Gallery. The artist painted this work using complex techniques using photographic materials. The painting depicts a traditional plot conveyed from a futuristic point of view.

Dali depicted Jesus Christ and his followers gathered at one table. The work echoes and contrasts vividly with the famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci. However, on Dali’s canvas the setting and characters are different, depicted with minimalism and authenticity.

The picture conveys to the viewer a kind of moral message. The work is filled with light and lightness. From the windows depicted on it, we see an incredibly beautiful landscape with a clear blue sky and silvery mountain ranges.

Olympia - Edouard Manet

Olympia - Edouard Manet

The painting “Olympia” was painted by the French impressionist Edouard Manet in 1863. It rightfully occupies a place of honor next to other masterpieces of world painting.

However, in 1865, a loud scandal occurred at the Paris Salon because of this work. The fact is that before Manet, naked women were depicted in paintings as a standard of spiritual beauty. And this work by Manet was recognized as both physically ugly and depraved. For moral reasons, artists were allowed to depict naked only heroines of ancient myths, historical or biblical figures. Whereas the impressionist broke this rule.

His Olympia was mistaken for a representative of the “most ancient profession” who had just received a bouquet from her lover. Society also did not accept the name of the painting, since corrupt women were called this name, and insulting ridicule rained down on the artist.

Dora Maar with a cat - Pablo Picasso

Dora Maar with a cat

One of the most expensive paintings in the world, “Dora Maar with a Cat” by Pablo Picasso, was painted by the artist in 1941. It depicts the artist's lover, Dora Maar, sitting on a chair with a small cat on her shoulder.

In almost all of Picasso’s paintings, Dora looks creepy, this is explained by the fact that they were painted during a difficult period of their relationship. In addition, the World War left its mark on the life and work of the Spanish master. The relationship between Dora Maar and Pablo Picasso was by no means romantic; rather, it was a union of two creative personalities.

In the work “Dora Maar with a cat,” the artist emphasized the sharpness of the nails through the image of a black cat.

One: number 31 - Jackson Pollock

In the late 1940s, the American artist Jackson Pollock invented a new technique in painting - he painted on large canvases, placing them on the floor. His paintings were created by splashing paint from his brushes; he did not touch them to the canvas.

When working on his paintings, he used sticks, scoops, knives and pouring paint or mixed paint with sand and broken glass.

In the world or who is the most outstanding artist in the Universe, one can go on and on. In such matters it is difficult to achieve an objective assessment. After all, each person understands painting and perceives its beauty in his own way. Masterpieces of famous artists remain deeply in memory and delight humanity for centuries. Some of them go under the hammer into private hands, and some are in world-famous museums. Beautiful autumn landscapes, stunning portraits and still lifes, as well as works in the style of historical and genre painting captivate the souls of thousands of art fans.

Masterpieces of the 15th century

The “Trinity”, painted by Andrei Rublev in 1425-1427, can be called the most beautiful painting in the world, not only among works of art, but also among famous Russian icons. Today its location is the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. created by a master, it looks like a vertical board. Under Tsars Ivan the Terrible, Boris Godunov and Mikhail Fedorovich, the painting was covered with precious stones, gold and silver.

The painting, in perfect artistic form, without violating theological concepts, depicts three angels, symbolizing harmony and unity. Their splendor, compositional placement and the charm of the robes create the overall beauty of the icon.

The painting “The Birth of Venus,” painted by Sandro Botticelli in 1486, can rightfully be considered a masterpiece of the Renaissance. It depicts in all its glory the myth of the birth of Aphrodite, floating in an open shell, driven by a light breeze. The western wind Zephyr, together with his wife Chloris, blows on the shell, forming currents of air filled with flowers. On the shore, one of the graces awaits the naked goddess of love.

Famous works of painting of the 16th century

Michelangelo's fresco of the Creation of Adam, created in 1511, may also qualify as "the most beautiful painting in the world."

The creation is dedicated to scenes from the Book of Genesis and has become a symbol of Western European art. The painting depicts Adam, of excellent physique, motionless as God approaches, soaring in the heavens and surrounded by angels. The Almighty approaches His creation to breathe life into it. Today this work is kept in the Vatican in the Sistine Chapel.

In Dresden, in the Gallery of Old Masters, there is a painting of the Sistine Madonna, painted in 1512 by Raphael Santi. Initially, it seems that there are clouds in the background, but if you look closely, you can see the heads of angels. The viewer gets the impression that Madonna is descending to him from heaven, looking straight into his eyes. The two little angels at the bottom of the picture are very often depicted on various posters and postcards these days.

Works of Leonardo da Vinci

Paintings by famous artists Vincent Van Gogh, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Paul Cezanne, Peter Paul Rubens and Leonardo da Vinci can be considered extraordinary in beauty, as well as some of the most expensive. The latter’s works make not only art connoisseurs, but also ordinary contemplators find charm in everything.

One of Da Vinci’s extraordinary paintings is considered to be “The Last Supper,” which he created for about three years. In this fresco, the figures of Christ and Judas are of particular importance. An interesting fact is that the sitter for these images turned out to be the same person. At first, the master painted Christ from a young singer, and a few years later, a man aged from drunkenness served as a model for the image of Judas.

Millions of people admire the masterpiece “Mona Lisa” every day; it is stored in Paris at the Louvre. The mysterious smile of Madame Gioconda, with whom the portrait was painted in 1503, continues to fascinate the viewer even today.

Caravaggio's paintings

One cannot ignore the works of the Italian artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. The master’s paintings show the joys of life and the enjoyment of the fruits given to man by nature. These are “Young Man with a Basket of Fruit”, and “Young Man with a Lizard”, and “Lute Player”, and “Mary Magdalene”.

The artist also painted scenes of violence and cruelty. In the years 1595-1956, he created paintings that depict real barbarity. These are works such as "Judith and Holofernes".

The title “The most beautiful painting in the world” also deserves a painting called “The Transfiguration of St. Paul”, painted in haste. The artist did not use drafts and immediately transferred all his inspiration to canvas. The creator of the world's masterpieces managed to create special, unnatural lighting in his paintings, which helped add drama to the painting.

Beautiful autumn landscapes

Natural phenomena reflected by artists in their works give the viewer a special feeling of admiration. Flowering meadows, snow-white winter fields, majestic mountains, colorful rainbows, sea sunsets allow you to enjoy the natural beauty. The canvases of the Japanese artist, known as Pan Mossi, fascinate with the autumn riot of colors.

Landscapes of falling leaves and yellow trees were also painted by self-taught Australian artist Graham Gerken. “Russia is a state of landscapes”—many Russian artists thought so. Views of autumn nature were depicted on canvases by such painters as Ivan Shishkin and Ivan Aivazovsky, Isaac Levitan and many of their works could claim the title of “The most beautiful painting in the world.”

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European artists began using oil paint in the 15th century, and since then it has been used to create the most famous paintings of all time. But in these high-tech days, oil still retains its charm and mystery, and artists continue to invent new techniques, tearing the mold to shreds and pushing the boundaries of modern art.

website chose works that delighted us and made us remember that beauty can be born in any era.

The owner of incredible skill, Polish artist Justyna Kopania, in her expressive, sweeping works, was able to preserve the transparency of the fog, the lightness of the sail, and the smooth rocking of the ship on the waves.
Her paintings amaze with their depth, volume, richness, and the texture is such that it is impossible to take your eyes off them.

Primitivist artist from Minsk Valentin Gubarev doesn't chase fame and just does what he loves. His work is incredibly popular abroad, but almost unknown to his compatriots. In the mid-90s, the French fell in love with his everyday sketches and signed a contract with the artist for 16 years. The paintings, which, it would seem, should only be understandable to us, bearers of the “modest charm of undeveloped socialism,” appealed to the European public, and exhibitions began in Switzerland, Germany, Great Britain and other countries.

Sergei Marshennikov is 41 years old. He lives in St. Petersburg and works in the best traditions of the classical Russian school of realistic portraiture. The heroines of his canvases are women who are tender and defenseless in their half-nakedness. Many of the most famous paintings depict the artist's muse and wife, Natalya.

In the modern era of high-resolution images and the rise of hyperrealism, the work of Philip Barlow immediately attracts attention. However, a certain effort is required from the viewer in order to force himself to look at the blurry silhouettes and bright spots on the author’s canvases. This is probably how people suffering from myopia see the world without glasses and contact lenses.

The painting of Laurent Parcelier is an amazing world in which there is neither sadness nor despondency. You won’t find gloomy and rainy pictures from him. His canvases contain a lot of light, air and bright colors, which the artist applies with characteristic, recognizable strokes. This creates the feeling that the paintings are woven from a thousand sunbeams.

American artist Jeremy Mann paints dynamic portraits of a modern metropolis in oil on wood panels. “Abstract shapes, lines, the contrast of light and dark spots - all create a picture that evokes the feeling that a person experiences in the crowd and bustle of the city, but can also express the calm that is found when contemplating quiet beauty,” says the artist.

In the paintings of British artist Neil Simone, nothing is as it seems at first glance. “For me, the world around me is a series of fragile and ever-changing shapes, shadows and boundaries,” says Simon. And in his paintings everything is truly illusory and interconnected. Boundaries are blurred, and stories flow into each other.

Italian-born contemporary American artist Joseph Lorasso (