Top 7 Famous Van Gogh Paintings Everyone Should Know
Introduction
Van Gogh is one of the most famous artists of all time. However, many people have not seen his work in person or have only seen a few of his paintings. If you are looking for a way to learn more about Van Gogh or become more familiar with his works, here's a list of some great options:
1. "Starry Night"
Now, let's talk about one of the most famous van Gogh paintings out there: Starry Night. This piece was painted in 1889 and depicts a nocturnal landscape with a riverbank and cypress trees. The painting is oil on canvas, measures 29.5 inches by 37 inches (74 cm x 94 cm), and sold for $82.5 million at a Sotheby's auction in May 1990 to Japanese collector Ryoei Saito—the highest price ever paid for a work of art at that time!
To create this masterpiece, van Gogh used pointillism techniques where small distinct dots are applied together to form larger shapes—you can see it especially clearly in the sky here!
2. "The Potato Eaters"
The Potato Eaters was painted in 1885, when Van Gogh was living in The Hague. It depicts a group of peasants eating a meal, and is intended to be a social commentary. Van Gogh purposefully portrayed the subjects as being unattractive, and with rough clothing that would make them stand out in society. He chose to paint this scene because he felt that the working class was often overlooked and underappreciated by those who held power in society.
In addition to its underlying message about the plight of laborers, The Potato Eaters also shows elements of Impressionist painting techniques such as brushstrokes, color palettes and lighting effects. This style is sometimes called “sparse” due to its limited use of colors compared to other styles like Fauvism or Expressionism; however this practice can also add depth and richness by emphasizing certain areas over others—especially when applied correctly!
3. "Sunflowers"
"Sunflowers" was painted in 1889 and was one of Van Gogh's most popular paintings. It is oil on canvas and measures 39.4 x 50.8 cm (15 3/8 x 20 in). The painting was done while he lived in Arles, France with his brother Theo, who at the time was an art dealer. Van Gogh painted this for his mother as a gift after she expressed how much she loved sunflowers, which were often associated with happiness and good luck.
The work now resides at the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo, Netherlands where it attracts approximately 400 thousand visitors per year!
4. "Cafe Terrace at Night"
This painting is one of the most famous works by Van Gogh, and it's easy to see why. The artist was known for his use of vibrant colors that captured the essence of everyday life in Arles, France. This particular work shows a view of Place du Forum from the terrace of Cafe de la Gare. It was painted in Van Gogh's studio at night so as to capture how this particular location transformed after dark:
- The square becomes quiet and empty as people go home
- Shops shutter their windows
- Gas lamps light up around the plaza
5. "Irises"
Van Gogh painted this in 1890 and it's a painting of irises. The painting is in the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., which means that you can go see it there if you want to!
6. "Bedroom in Arles"
You should know this painting because it's one of the last works Van Gogh painted before he died, and it's also an example of Post-Impressionism. The painting was created in 1888 and depicts Van Gogh's bedroom in Arles, France. It was sold for $53.9 million at auction in 1990, making it one of the most expensive paintings ever sold at that time.
7. "The Sower"
The Sower, Van Gogh's most famous painting, is a depiction of the subject matter depicted in a specific style. This particular work is oil on canvas and was painted in 1888. It was sold at auction in 1990 for $82.5 million.
Learning about famous paintings teaches us more about art.
Learning about famous paintings teaches us more about art. It's a good way to learn about art, as well as history and the artist. It also teaches us about the culture of the time period in which it was created.
Conclusion
There’s no denying Van Gogh’s place in history as one of the greatest artists to ever live. His work continues to inspire millions of people today, and these seven paintings are a great place to start your journey into his world.
