10. Peace by Picasso
The simplicity of this symbol of peace by Pablo Picasso, remains one of the most powerful pieces of art. Art for beauty’s sake – art for the cause of world peace.
9. Le Moulin de la Gallette by Jean Renoir
A leading impressionist, Auguste Renoir captures the buzz and excitement of this outdoor scene in Paris. I think of Paris in the roaring twenties, but Renoir pre-dated this. People having a good time, full of life.
8. The Girl With a Pearl Earring by Jan Vermeer
Jan Vermeer painted this iconic portraits (somewhat reminiscent of the Mona Lisa) and isa wonderful example of the Baroque style and the use of light. The age of the girl is deceptively hard to fathom. On the one hand the beautiful lustrous eyes suggest the innocence of childhood. On the other hand, there are touches of a girl on the threshold of womanhood. Beautiful contrasts.
7. The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci paints one of the most famous scenes in the bible – The last Supper. It is after Christ has said one of the disciples will betray him. This is the ultimate soapopera – the ultimate test of man – who will we serve, God or Mammon. This is why we are fascinated by the scene, how would we have behaved at the table of Jesus Christ?6. Poppies in a Field by Claude Monet
Claude Monet is one of the great impressionist painters. This wonderful pastoral scene encapsulates the essence of how the impressionists captured the beauty and simplicity of nature. It also captures that pre-industrialist age, which was fast disappearing during Monet’s life. It is an evocation of a bye-gone era. It is hard not to feel nostalgic about this scene. Notice also how the humans are but a sideshow to the overall picture.
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5. Ceci N’est pas une Pipe by Rene Margritte
A classic example of modern surrealist art. This is not a pipe, but the picture is of a pipe. Why is this famous? We don’t really know. Somehow it became emblamatic of surealism and the paradox of modern life.
4. Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh
The genius of Vincent Van Gogh is captured in this painting of 12 sunflowers. It has become one of the most recognisable of his works.
3. Creation of Adam - Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo
Michelangelo took four years to pain the Sistine chapel. He chose scenes from the Old Testament. This is the moment of God creating Adam. This is just a fraction of the Sistine Chapel. To fully appreciate the scale, splendour and beauty of Michelangel’s creation, you really have to visit the Vatican.
2. The Scream by Edvard Munch
A painting that symbolises the anguish and pain of modern life. It has become one of the most famous pictures of modern times. Somehow it makes me think of Freud and looking at our subconscious. It is famous, but is it good? Why look at the mud in the lily pond, when you can enjoy the lillies on top?
1. Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci worked on his masterpiece over a period of 20 years. He carried it with him everywhere. The enigmatic smile has captured the imagination of the world. It has been stolen twice and now resides in the Louvre, Paris. When the Mona Lisa visited America in the 1960s, it gained a prominence close to that of the then US president John F Kennedy. Why do people queue up for so many hours to catch a fleeting glimpse? Perhaps because it is very human, but at the same time offering a sensation that there is something beyond. In the world, but looking beyond. Is that not a smile of supreme satisfaction? Everyone will have a different opinion and that is part of the attraction of the painting.
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