Bring a bottle and a canvas, and let's enjoy the art 'en plein air'
The Beach at Trouville (1870) by Claude MonetThe National Gallery, London
The sun's out, let's head down to The Beach at Trouville, as painted by Claude Monet in 1870. Beach holidays were popular with the Impressionists, of which Monet was a member.
The sun, sand, and sea offered a light, modern subject for painting.
A Sunday on La Grande Jatte (1884-1886) by Georges SeuratThe Art Institute of Chicago
The sun is shining, the boats are sailing. It's a beautifulSunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.
Georges Seurat painted this scene, his best-known work, between 1884-85. At the time, La Grande Jatte was a bucolic escape from Paris.
The Picnic (ca. 1885) by Georges SeuratDixon Gallery and Gardens
At the other end of the scale, Seurat's The Picnic of 1885 depicts a much more intimate gathering, while perfectly capturing the effects of dappled sunshine on the warm, soft grass, linen shirts, and straw hats.
This may well be a small study made for La Grande Jatte.
The Boating Party (1893/1894) by Mary CassattNational Gallery of Art, Washington DC
Around the time of making this painting, Mary Cassat was spending her summers at Antibes, on the Mediterranean coast.
The Boating Party, 1893-1894, reflects that southern sun with a refreshing palette of blue and yellow.
Luncheon of the Boating Party (1880-1881) by Pierre-Auguste RenoirThe Phillips Collection
Pierre-Auguste Renoir brings all his fashionable friends together in The Luncheon of the Boating Party, made in 1880.
Rowing shirtless was a flirtatious activity for the bright young things of 19th Century Paris, while riverside bars made sure the champagne kept flowing.
Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette (1876) by Auguste RenoirMusée d’Orsay, Paris
If you'd rather keep your feet dry, you could Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette. This vibrant café-bar was a favourite of artists and writers, with all-day dancing and drinking.
Renoir's 1876 painting captures the vivacious characters you're likely to bump into. Shall we?
Bathers (Les Grandes Baigneuses) (about 1894-1905) by Paul CézanneThe National Gallery, London
Paul Cézanne's Bathers paintings are amongst his most enigmatic. Androgynous figures in a hazy landscape merge together to become one.
Ceźanne painted many versions, but this one, painted between 1894–1905, hangs at London's National Gallery.
The Pond (about 1877 - 1879) by Paul CézanneMuseum of Fine Arts, Boston
Cézanne's Bathers develop the themes and styles he first explored in his painting The Pond, made some time between 1877–79, when he lived in the town of Auvers, just outside of Paris.
While his subjects seem relaxed, they're also distant - in a world of their own.
Holyday (c.1876) by James TissotTate Britain
James Tissot's 1876 Holyday shows a group of elegantly dressed men and women during a picnic at the pond in his garden.
On the right is Tissot's muse and lover, Kathleen Newton, who appears to avert her eyes from us, looking on.
Luncheon on the Grass (1863) by Edouard ManetMusée d’Orsay, Paris
Déjeuner sur l'herbe - the painting that sparked a thousand picnics.
This iconic masterpiece by Edouard Manet was originally rejected from the exclusive Paris Salon, but went on to inspire generations of painters and picnickers looking to recreate a slice of art history.
Pedernal (1941) by Georgia O'KeeffeGeorgia O'Keeffe Museum
Explore more of the outdoors with 5 Landscapes You'll Love to Zoom Into
Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
Dixon Gallery and GardensGeorgia O'Keeffe MuseumMuseum of Fine Arts, BostonMusée d’Orsay, ParisNational Gallery of Art, Washington DCTate BritainThe Art Institute of ChicagoThe National Gallery, LondonThe Phillips Collection
Stories from these collections
Online ExhibitLife, death, and our place in the universe: The AmbassadorsThe National Gallery, London
Online ExhibitRe.Create with Tate Britain: MusicTate Britain
Online ExhibitBefore the Mona Lisa: Leonardo’s Captivating Ginevra de’ BenciNational Gallery of Art, Washington DC
Online ExhibitFive important works from the Georgia O’Keeffe MuseumGeorgia O'Keeffe Museum
Online ExhibitFrom Station to the Renovated Musée d'OrsayMusée d’Orsay, Paris
Online Exhibit21st Century Designer FashionMuseum of Fine Arts, Boston
Online ExhibitThe 'excellent and learned' ArtemisiaThe National Gallery, London
Online ExhibitRE.CREATE with Tate Britain: PoetryTate Britain
Online ExhibitVermeer and the Masters of Genre PaintingNational Gallery of Art, Washington DC
Online ExhibitGeorgia O’Keeffe’s life in artGeorgia O'Keeffe Museum
Online ExhibitRadical GeometriesMuseum of Fine Arts, Boston
FAQs
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Leonardo da Vinci's “Mona Lisa” ranks first among the most searched paintings of last year with over one million online searches on average each month. Pablo Picasso's “Guernica” comes second, with almost half the monthly average search volume (454,500).
What is the No 1 famous painting in the world? ›
Unsurprisingly, the most visited painting in the world is also the most famous portrait ever painted – the Mona Lisa. Created by Leonardo da Vinci at the start of the 16th century, it's valued at well over $660 million. The painting has been on display in the Louvre on and off since 1797.
What is considered the most beautiful painting in the world? ›
Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa' is without a doubt one of the most famous paintings in the whole wide world. Currently housed in Louvre, Paris, this masterpiece has been the center of attention for years now. The portrait's beauty lies in Mona Lisa's smile and the way she looks at the audience.
Who is the most famous artist in the world? ›
1. Leonardo Da Vinci (1452–1519) Renaissance painter, scientist, inventor, and more. Da Vinci is one of most famous painters in the world for his iconic Mona Lisa and Last Supper. 2. Vincent Van Gogh (1853–1890).
What is the most famous painting today? ›
1. Leonardo Da Vinci, Mona Lisa, 1503–19.
Is The Mona Lisa a real person? ›
Based on the mid-sixteenth century biography of Leonardo da Vinci by Giorgio Vasari, many historians believe the painting is a portrait of Madam Lisa Giocondo, wife of a wealthy Florentine. It is from Vasari that the painting received the name Mona Lisa, also known as La Gioconda in Italian or La Joconde in French.
Who owns the Mona Lisa? ›
King Francis I of France acquired the Mona Lisa after Leonardo's death in 1519, and it is now the property of the French Republic. It has normally been on display at the Louvre in Paris since 1797.
Who is the most beautiful woman in the world? ›
Top 10 Beautiful Women In The World
- Jodie Comer. Jodie Comer is a popular British actress who has topped the Most Beautiful Women list with a face accuracy of 94.52%. ...
- Ariana Grande. ...
- Zendaya. ...
- Beyonce. ...
- Taylor Swift. ...
- Bella Hadid. ...
- Jourdan Dunn. ...
- Kim Kardashian.
Realism, in which the subject of the painting looks much like the real thing rather than being stylized or abstracted, is the style many people think of as "true art." Only when examined close up do what appear to be solid colors reveal themselves as a series of brushstrokes of many colors and values.
What is the most liked painting in the world? ›
Undoubtedly the most famous painting in the world, Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" is an enigmatic masterpiece that has fascinated viewers for centuries. With her enigmatic smile and captivating gaze, the painting continues to inspire intrigue and speculation.
1. Gerhard Richter. Gerhard Richter is at the very top of our list—the most famous living painter today.
Who painted the Last Supper? ›
The Last Supper of Leonardo da Vinci (Cenacolo Vinciano) is one of the most famous paintings in the world. This artwork was painted between 1494 and 1498 under the government of Ludovico il Moro and represents the last "dinner" between Jesus and his disciples.
Who is the most famous female artist? ›
Top 10 Female Painters of All Time
- Frida Kahlo.
- Georgia O'Keeffe.
- Artemesia Gentileschi.
- Grandma Moses.
- Joan Mitchell.
- Berthe Morisot.
- Elaine de Kooning.
- Mary Cassatt.
This is a list of the highest known prices paid for paintings. The record is approximately US$450.3 million (which includes commission), paid for Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi ( c. 1500). The painting was sold in November 2017, through the auction house Christie's in New York City.
Can Google search a painting? ›
If you're using Google Chrome, you can right click an image and select “Search Google for this image” to search the web.
Can Google recognize a painting? ›
Google Arts & Culture allows users to explore artworks, artifacts, and cultural treasures from museums and archives worldwide. It includes a feature called "Art Recognizer" that uses image recognition technology to identify artworks.
