famous artists in history

10 Famous artists in history who changed the Art World Forever

If you look at all the art that people have ever made, there are some wonders that will always be remembered.  These works of art set the tone for an entire movement of art. They also created new fashion trends and artistic ideals.  But what’s most important is that they have always encouraged millions of people to be creatively bold and think of new things. Everyone has their own Genius, or great artist, who lived during that time and left behind works that will be looked up to for generations to come.  Every great artist has one-of-a-kind works that people all over the world know and love.  In this article, we want to remind you of these famous artists in history so that you can enjoy the best works of art ever again.

How do you pick the most famous artists ever?  If you try to explain what art is, it might be different for everyone, but most people agree on which artists have had a long effect on their fields.  It doesn’t matter if you like art or not; you should know about these artists and their well-known works.  These artists have made works that will last for a long time, from famous paintings to statues.

What exactly does it mean to be an artist?

An artist is someone who makes art using a range of tools and techniques, including but not limited to paint, clay, stone, or computer programs. Their imaginative, creative, and resourceful works span the visual arts, music, literature, and performance art. Galleries and museums often feature the works of artists, both solo and in collaboration. Art isn’t just for expressing yourself; it may also serve as a form of expression, criticism on society, and entertainment.

 How Did These Artists Get Their Notoriety?

The following factors contribute to the fame of the famous artists in history we mentioned here:

  • Originality: Many of these artists painted with unusual materials or tackled unorthodox subjects.  Their innovative approaches to art changed the face of the art world for generations.
  • Technical Mastery: These artists were all masters of their own crafts, whether they were painting, sculpting, or making other kinds of art.  Their technological expertise allowed them to create visually and emotionally captivating masterpieces.
  • Influence: These musicians have impacted musicians today, just as they did in their respective times.  Many other artists took cues from these works, which garnered a lot of attention and inspired imitation.
  • Historical Significance: Works by these artists have come to symbolize the times in which they lived because of the important roles they played in that times’ histories.  One example is the widespread belief that the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci embodies the spirit of the Italian Renaissance.
  • Personality and biography: The fame of these artists was influenced by their histories and personalities.  Their mystique and reputation as creative geniuses were enhanced by the fact that some of them had fascinating and often controversial lives.

The world over, people continue to praise and appreciate these artists’ works because of their legendary genius, groundbreaking ideas, impact, and historical significance.

Top 10 famous artists in history

In this illuminating look at the careers of the top ten artists of all time, we hope to take you on an exciting adventure through the eras and movements that have shaped art’s trajectory. Every single famous artists in history included here has left an indelible mark on the history of art, spanning the Renaissance, Romanticism, the Baroque, and Impressionism.

No matter your level of interest in art or lack thereof, this collection provides a window into the lives and creations of the most influential artists of all time. Immerse yourself in this mesmerizing adventure and watch as the limitless potential of human imagination whisks you away.

Leonardo Da Vinci

leonardo da vinci
Image source: Shutterstock

Many people think that Leonardo da Vinci was one of the most important artists of all time and one of the most famous Renaissance artists in the world.  His masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, is always on show at the Louvre Museum in France, where it is safe from bullets.   Da Vinci was not only a painter, but also a scientist and inventor. He made a lot of drawings of the human body and many of the tools we use today.  To put it simply, da Vinci was a genius.

Besides The Last Supper and The Lady with an Ermine, he is known for many other great works.  People still don’t fully understand his works, and he still inspires a huge number of hopeful artists.

Michelangelo

David by Michelangelo
Michelangelo, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

One of the most famous artists of all time is Michelangelo.  Not only did he paint, sculpt, and build things, but he also wrote poems sometimes.  Many people know him from the famous picture of the Sistine Chapel or The Last Judgment, which he made 20 years later and is one of the best frescoes of the Renaissance.

The other works of Michelangelo that young artists of the 21st century find inspiration in include the sculptures of David and Pietà. the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the renowned carving of Moses on the tomb for Pope Julian II, and the design for the Laurentian Library at San Lorenzo’s Church.

Vincent Van Gogh

van gogh
Image source: Shutterstock

It is commonly known that Dutch post-impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh severed a portion of his own ear. Even more crucially, his artistic creations rank high among the most renowned and treasured of all time.  He was an inspiration to artists of the future, particularly with his use of a flurry of broad brushstrokes composed of vibrant colors squeezed directly from the tube. Sunflowers, Cafe Terrace at Night, and Starry Night are a few of his most well-known works.

Pablo Picasso

pablo picasso
Image source: Shutterstock

Pablo Picasso was a modern painter from Spain. His distinctive style paved the way for other artists to pursue similar goals. By introducing ideas like collage and Cubism, Picasso radically altered the understanding of classic art.  He is widely considered to be one of the most influential painters of all time due to his groundbreaking approach to creating art across all disciplines. Woman with Fan, Bird of Peace, and Guernica are among his most well-known pieces.

Rembrandt

Rembrandt
Rembrandt, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Famous for the deft hand with which he created each of his paintings, Rembrandt is widely considered to be among the most influential artists of all time.  His paintings are highly regarded for the realistic depiction of his subjects’ emotions and the dexterity with which he portrays the world around them.  In his most famous photographs, he shows an extraordinary talent for conveying the sitter’s or himself’s innermost emotions via subtle lighting and expressive facial expressions. The Night Watch and Doctor Nicolaes Tulp’s Demonstration of the Anatomy of the Arm are two of his most famous masterpieces.

Claude Monet

Claude monet
I, Sailko, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Claude Monet, a painter from France, was an influential role in several art movements, including Minimalism and Pop Art, as well as the French Impressionist movement.  Using prismatic shards of color in quick strokes, the majority of his works depict the changing of the seasons and the effects of light on the landscape. Works such as Waterlilies, Impression Sunrise, and Women in Garden are among his most famous works.

Edvard Munch

Edvard Munch
Edvard Munch, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The classic representation of sensations of anguish and terror in Edvard Munch’s The Scream has made it one of the most famous paintings of all time.  For some, it’s even the “Mona Lisa of anxiety” painting.  There have been other subsequent auction records surpassed, the most recent being a pastel rendition of Edvard Munch’s famous depiction of contemporary anxiety, which sold for an unprecedented $120 million in 2012.

Edvard Munch The Scream
Multiple Authors, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

There was more to Munch’s career than that one painting.  Max Beckmann, Egon Schiele, and Erich Heckel were all profoundly impacted by Edvard Munch, and he is widely believed to have been instrumental in the propagation of Expressionism. As a result of the distinctive way, it conveys feelings of terror and anguish, Edvard Munch’s The Scream is among the most famous paintings of all time.  For some, it’s even the “Mona Lisa of anxiety” painting.  An extraordinarily high price of $120 million was paid at auction in 2012 for a pastel rendition of Edvard Munch’s famous depiction of contemporary anxiety.

There was more to Munch’s career than that one painting.  Max Beckmann, Egon Schiele, and Erich Heckel were all profoundly impacted by Edvard Munch, and he is widely believed to have been instrumental in the propagation of Expressionism.

Johannes Vermeer

Johannes vermeer
Johannes Vermeer, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

For two centuries, Vermeer remained mostly unknown until his rediscovery in the nineteenth century.  Ever then, his ability to create paintings of eerie beauty has solidified his status as a major figure in the annals of art history.  A lot of people think Vermeer employed a camera obscura, which is an ancient projector, and his use of a gentle blur seems to hint at photorealism coming soon.  His depiction of light as a material is, nevertheless, his most significant contribution.

Many people rank Dutch painter Jan Vermeer among the most influential people in art history.  His paintings of still life have an otherworldly beauty that is hard to put into words.  This led many to speculate that he may have taken his photos using a hidden camera. View of Delft, The Milkmaid, and Girl with a Pearl Earring are among of his most well-known paintings.

Salvador Dali

 Salvador Dali
Arte Internacional SXX, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Salvador Dali became a household name in the art world thanks to his wild imagination and unconventional demeanor.   Famous for his surreal and dreamy works, Dali questioned established ideas of reality while delving into the subconscious.

Impressive and frequently odd images were created by Dali through the use of rendering techniques and painstaking attention to detail.   Theatrical antics, Dali’s trademark mustache, and his colorful attitude all contributed to his legendary renown in addition to his paintings. 

Beyond the canvas, his off-screen contributions to surrealism solidified his status as one of the century’s most lauded painters.

How do these famous artists in history motivate the next generation of creatives?

Depending on the artist, younger generations may find different forms of inspiration.  Here are a few ways artists can motivate the next generation:

Artistic thinking:

A creative person’s ability to think outside the box and find novel solutions to problems is well-known.  They have the power to inspire youth to fully immerse themselves in their creative processes, allowing them to express themselves through unique and innovative artworks.

Passion:

Many artists are very passionate about their work, and this passion can serve as an example to younger generations.  By demonstrating the importance of perseverance and dedication, artists can encourage young people to pursue their own passions.

Expression:

Art is a powerful way to express oneself.  Young people may be encouraged to find their own unique voices and meaningful ways of expressing themselves by artists whose work mirrors their own inner world.

Diversity:

Art may be a vehicle for celebrating diversity by increasing tolerance and acceptance of different cultures and points of view.  Because artists’ works reflect a wide range of experiences and viewpoints, they may inspire younger generations to be more tolerant of one another.

Fairness in Society:

Many artists advocate for positive social change by using their art to raise awareness about important social issues.  Showing young people art that tackles important social issues like climate change, prejudice, and injustice can motivate them to act and make a positive difference in the world.

Conclusion

An individual’s opinion on who the best famous artists in history are can be found in a number of lists.  Those lists do not exist. The emphasis here is on impact, not on the fact that this list features some of the all-time great musicians.  Explain the significance of this artist’s work in relation to that of other artists, the development of historical art movements, and visual art generally.  You might be surprised by some of the things on this list, but you might not be.  Always keep in mind that this is just our little opinion.

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