Here is where to find famous paintings around the world, part 2
- Jimena Gonzalez
- 20 hours ago
- 7 min read
This is a continuation of the previous article about locating some of the most famous paintings in the world.
As with the paintings mentioned in the first article, this can be a great addition to your bucket list and seeing these amazing works of art in person are definitely worth the travel.
The Night Watch (true title: Milita Company of District II Under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq), Rembrandt van Rijn
"The Night Watch" was painted in 1642 by Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn and is considered to be one of the most important paintings in the Netherlands.
Rembrandt was the first artist to depict figures in a group portrait in action. The painting consists of a company of civic guardsmen taking up their positions to march out. Holding a place in the foreground is Captain Frans Banninck Cocq, the company's commander who wears formal black attire with a white collar. On his right is Lieutenant Willem van Ruytenburch, who turns to acknowledge Banninck Cocq's orders to start the marching.
Two of the strongest components of this painting are the masterful chiaroscuro and the dramatic action of the figures. In other words, Rembrandt used light to draw focus on particular details, including Banninck Cocq's gesturing hand.
A fun fact. "The Night Watch" is actually not the original title. In the 19th century, art critics assumed the subjects were standing against a dark background, hence the title "The Night Watch." Eventually, it was revealed that the painting was covered in a layer of soot, which made painting dark, though the action takes place during the day.
The painting's formal title is "Militia Company of District II Under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq."
Much like the "Mona Lisa" in the Louvre, "The Night Watch" draws a huge number of visitors every year in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it has enjoyed a place since the museum's opening in 1885.
Current location: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Impression, Sunshine, Claude Monet
"Impression, Sunrise" was painted in 1872 by Claude Monet. It took him only a few hours to complete this painting, which was done from his hotel room with a view of Port of Le Havre.
Alongside Vincent van Gogh's "Starry Night," "Impression, Sunrise" is considered to be one of the most important Impressionist paintings.
The painting depicts the French harbor with a hazy background at sunrise. In addition, there are two small rowboats in foreground and medium-sized ships in the background. Rather than a realistic representation of the Port of Le Havre, Monet captures the fleeting moment using effects of light and atmosphere on the painting.
Monet first displayed the painting in 1874 at an independent exhibition, along with Camille Pissarro, Edgar Degas, Paul Cezanne and thirty other artists. A critic, M. Louis Leroy, condemned "Impression, Sunrise" and derisively used the term "Impressionist" based on the painting's title. The group of artists mentioned decided to proudly adopt the term.
One fun fact about this piece has gone down in history for inspiring the name of the art movement, Impressionism. In other words, this painting helped establish Impressionism as a distinct art movement.
Although it is currently displayed at Museum Marmottan Monet in Paris, "Impression, Sunrise" went on an exhibition tour in the Musée D'Orsay and the National Gallery of Art from March 2024 to January 2025.
Current location: Museum Marmottan Monet, Paris, France
The Garden of Earthly Delights, Hieronymus Bosch
Hieronymus Bosch completed "The Garden of Earthly Delights" from approximately 1490 to 1500. It is recognized for its complexity, as well as the enigma that goes beyond expectations.
When fully opened, the triptych measures almost 13 feet wide and 7 feet tall.
Much like a book, "The Garden of Earthly Delights" should be viewed from left to right. In essence, the left panel represents the Garden of Eden, the middle and largest panel represents life on Earth and the right panel represents the torments of Hell. Major themes that permeate the painting are sin, hell, judgment and creation.
When the triptych is closed, it shows the world in a transparent sphere filled with a monochromatic realm that emphasizes the colorful world found within. In addition, the painting depicts "the third creation," a biblical milestone when Earthly paradise was cast by God. The exterior artwork was painted using grisaille, a grayscale painting technique, and was obviously less vibrant than the interior version.
This interactive documentary allows you to examine each detail closely of "The Garden of Earthly Delights."
"The Garden of Earthly Delights" is available for view at the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid, where it has been housed since 1939.
Current location: Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid, Spain
The Arnolfini Portrait, Jan van Eyck
"The Arnolfini Portrait" was created by Jan van Eyck in 1434 and is probably one of the world's most intriguing paintings.
The painting depicts a richly-dressed couple, thought to be Giovanni di Nicolao di Arnolfini and his wife, standing side by side holding hands. The room consists of a large bed on the right, a chandelier and a convex mirror in between the couple. In addition, there is a small dog standing in between them.
If you look really closely between the mirror and chandelier, there is a message that says "Jan van Eyck was here 1434."
Because "The Arnolfini Portrait" is rich in symbolism, it has been subject to ongoing interpretation and debate among scholars.
It was bought by the National Gallery in 1842, where it is currently on display in London.
Current location: The National Gallery, London, England
Whistler's Mother, James Whistler
"Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1," widely known as "Whistler's Mother," was created by American artist James MacNeill Whistler in 1871. Moreover, it has come to be regarded as one of the symbols of motherhood.
The subject of the painting is Whistler's mother, Anna MacNeill Whistler. She is seen wearing a black mourning dress and a white cap. Furthermore, her face appears austere and her hands are quietly folded on her lap.
That is why the subtitle reads "Portrait of the Artist's Mother," which is underneath the title "Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1."
The painting, currently housed at Musee d'Orsay in Paris, was bought by the French state in 1891. It is one of the most famous works by an American artist outside of the United States.
Current location: Musee d'Orsay, Paris, France
Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog, Caspar David Friedrich
"Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog" was painted by Romantic artist Caspar David Friedrich around 1817 or 1818. In fact, it has considered as one of the most representative works of the German Romantic art movement.
The painting depicts a lone old man dressed in a dark green suit and boots, using a cane for support. He overlooks a sea of fog in the midst of a rocky landscape, which is metaphorical for a journey into the sublime.
Like any Romantic painting, "Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog" focuses on the emotions and connecting with nature. Friedrich's paintings often featured misty fogs, towering mountains and occasionally a subject facing the unknown.
In 1970, the painting was acquired by Hamburger Kunsthalle, where it is now on display for viewing.
Current location: Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg, Germany
Broadway Boogie Woogie, Piet Mondrian
"Broadway Boogie Woogie," completed in 1942, was one the last paintings completed by Dutch painter Piet Mondrian before his death.
Like many European artists, Mondrian moved to the United States in 1940, choosing New York City as his destination. Immediately, he fell deeply in love with the city, as well as boogie woogie music. He thought he could incorporate a little "boogie woogie" into his paintings.
The painting is characterized by multicolored segments bouncing against each other, evoking a sense of dynamism that is linked to New York City's lively streets and boogie woogie music. In other words, "Broadway Boogie Woogie" goes outside Mondrian's Neo-Plasticism principle of restricting paintings to basic lines and limited color palette.
You can view the painting at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.
Current location: Museum of Modern Art, New York City, New York, USA
Las Meninas, Diego Velazquez
Spanish artist Diego Velazquez painted "Las Meninas" in 1656.
This is also one of those paintings in which Velazquez made the most effort to create a complex composition built with an admirable use of light and perspective. In addition, Velazquez creates a plausible sense of realism while also raising questions about the nature of reality and illusion.
Infanta Margarita, daughter of King Philip IV, appears at the center of "Las Meninas," surrounded by her ladies-in-waiting (or "meninas") Maria Agustina de Sarmiento and Isabel de Velasco. Two court buffoons, Maria Barbola and Nicolasito Pertusato, and a mastiff are also present.
Velazquez portrays himself on the left side of the composition, painting "Las Meninas" while holding a paintbrush and facing a canvas.
In the mirror, you can see reflections of Infanta Margarita's parents, King Philip IV and Queen Mariana of Austria.
The painting became a part of the Museo Nacional del Prado over 200 years ago when the museum opened.
Current location: Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid, Spain
Liberty Leading the People, Eugene Delacroix
Eugène Delacroix is best known for this painting, "Liberty Leading the People, which was painted in 1830. In addition, this painting is also a powerful symbol liberty and the fight for freedom.
The painting depicts the commemoration of the July Revolution of 1830, which deposed (or forcefully remove) King Charles X. Instead of portraying the revolution literally, the painting uses allegorical figures to represent the events of the revolution.
Delacroix painted "Liberty Leading the People" after witnessing a dramatic escalation of protests against a set of restrictive laws imposed by King Charles X in 1830. Within three months, the painting was complete.
In 1874, the painting was transferred to the Louvre, where it has been housed ever since.
Current location: The Louvre, Paris, France
The Kiss, Gustav Klimt
"The Kiss" is perhaps the most popular of Klimt's artworks, which was completed in 1908.
The painting depicts a couple, concealed in a large golden cloak, kneeling and embracing in a grassy patch of flowers. The man touches the woman's face and moves closer for a kiss, while the woman's eyes are deeply closed.
The woman's face is the focus, while the man's face is kept hidden. In addition, Klimt creates the sense of a perfect union with "The Kiss," guided by love, which holds everything together.
You can see "The Kiss" at Belvedere Palace in Vienna.
Current location: Belvedere Palace, Vienna, Austria
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