36 Famous Oil Paintings and the Artists Who Shaped Art History

Of the countless art pieces created throughout the ages, why are some heralded as masterpieces and others not?

What makes an oil painting famous?

Let’s look at some of the most famous oil paintings in the world and find out!

1. Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci

• Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
• Year Painted: 1503–1504
• Medium: Oil on Poplar Panel
• Dimensions: 77 cm × 53 cm
• Current Location: Louvre, Paris

Mona Lisa is undoubtedly the most famous oil painting portrait in the world. Painted during the Renaissance period, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is a masterpiece that is rich in history and fully displays Leonardo da Vinci’s grasp of oil painting techniques.

Many art enthusiasts claim to have been completely captivated by the enigmatic smile painted on the Mona Lisa. How about you? 

2. The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh

• Artist: Vincent van Gogh
• Year Painted: 1889
• Medium: Oil on Canvas
• Dimensions: 73.7 cm × 92.1 cm
• Current Location: Museum of Modern Art, New York

Vincent van Gogh once said, “Art is to console those who are broken by life.” 

The Starry Night, which Vincent van Gogh painted during some of his darkest days, is the best testament to this statement. Created in a bold and innovative style, The Starry Night is a masterpiece that evokes a strong sense of dreamlike serenity, providing peace to those who can see it.

3. The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci

• Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
• Year Painted: 1495–1498
• Medium: Tempera on gesso, pitch, and mastic
• Dimensions: 460 cm × 880 cm
• Current Location: Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan

Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper is masterfully executed and rich in historical and cultural significance. This piece, which Leonardo da Vinci created to portray the final meal that Jesus shared with his disciples — the basis for the Christian’s rite of Holy Communion — is a testament to the strong influence of Christianity on Western Culture.

4. The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dalí

• Artist: Salvador Dalí
• Year Painted: 1931
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 24 cm × 33 cm
• Current Location: Museum of Modern Art, New York City

The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dalí is one of the most popular oil paintings thanks largely to the power of symbolism. In the 20th century, the art movement Surrealism aimed to revolutionize how we experienced art. Dali’s The Persistence of Memory is an iconic example of Surrealism.

5. The Scream by Edvard Munch

• Artist: Edvard Munch
• Year Painted: 1893
• Medium: Oil, tempera, pastel, and crayon on cardboard
• Dimensions: 91 cm × 73.5 cm
• Current Location: National Gallery and Munch Museum, Oslo, Norway

The Scream, which you probably recognize from modern-day culture, is a famous oil painting in an Expressionist style. What kind of style is that you ask?

Put simply, expressionism is an art movement where the artist’s purpose is to provoke powerful emotions. In the case of The Scream’s vivid color palette and distorted figure, the emotion that Edvard Munch is trying to portray is fear and anxiety.

6. Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer

• Artist: Johannes Vermeer
• Year Painted: 1665
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 44.5 cm × 39 cm
• Current Location: Mauritshuis, The Hague, Netherlands

This stunning oil painting, Girl with a Pearl Earring, is sometimes called the “Mona Lisa of the North” by art critics.

The sophisticated brushwork, the coordinated color palette, and the tasteful composition created by Dutch Artist Johannes Vermeer draw you into the girls’ pearl earring and soft eyes, making the Girl with a Pearl Earring one of the most spectacular examples of the grandness of the Dutch Golden Age.

7. The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli

• Artist: Sandro Botticelli
• Year Painted: 1484–1486
• Medium: Tempera on canvas
• Dimensions: 172.5 cm × 278.9 cm
• Current Location: Uffizi, Florence

Painted by Sandro Botticelli, The Birth of Venus is considered one of the most famous oil paintings for its stunning depiction of Venus. Created during the Early Renaissance period and very much against the conservative Christian values of its time, it’s no wonder this famous work is so iconic.

8. Guernica by Pablo Picasso

• Artist: Pablo Picasso
• Year Painted: 1937
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 349.3 cm × 776.6 cm
• Current Location: Museo Reina Sofía, Madrid, Spain

The famous Spanish artist, Pablo Picasso, painted Guernica to help raise awareness of the war. It was a response to the bombing of the town of Guernica. Many art critics call it one of art history’s most moving anti-war oil paintings.

9. The Night Watch by Rembrandt Van Rijn

• Artist: Rembrandt van Rijn
• Year Painted: 1642
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 349.3 cm × 776.6 cm
• Current Location: Amsterdam Museum on permanent loan to Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Like the “Girl with the Pearl Earring”, Rembrandt van Rijn’s The Night Watch is a famous artwork painted during the peak of the Dutch Golden Age.

The Night Watch made it on our list of the most famous oil paintings for its graceful use of color and values to create a fascinating painting filled with depth.

10. The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch

• Artist: Hieronymus Bosch
• Year Painted: 1642
• Medium: Oil on oak panels
• Dimensions: 205.5 cm × 384.9 cm
• Current Location: Museo del Prado, Madrid

The Garden of Earthly Delights by Bosch is another famous oil painting that is rich in symbolism. Not much is known about the oil painting’s artist, nor his purpose for creating this oil painting, but this iconic panel painting’s depiction of both heavenly and hellish imagery has elicited many interpretations of its meaning from various art enthusiasts.

11. The Birth of Venus by William-Adolphe Bouguereau

• Artist: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
• Year Painted: 1879
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 300 x 218 cm
• Current Location: Musée d’Orsay, Paris

The Birth of Venus by William-Adolphe Bouguereau is considered one of the most famous works for the artist’s mastery of techniques. To many viewers, it may lack the emotional impact expected from other famous oil paintings depicting similar subjects. However, as a contemporary modern art, there’s no disputing the appeal of this iconic artwork.

12. The Kiss by Gustav Klimt

• Artist: Gustav Klimt
• Year Painted: 1907–1908
• Medium: Oil and gold leaf on canvas
• Dimensions: 180 cm × 180 cm
• Current Location: Österreichische Galerie Belvedere, Vienna, Austria

The Kiss by Gustav Klimt depicts a couple in a tender embrace, painted in an Art Nouveau style. It was quite controversial during its time, but Gustav Klimt stood by his creation with a single but resounding statement: “If you cannot please everyone with your deeds and your art, please a few.”

13. The Wedding Feast at Cana by Paolo Veronese

• Artist: Paolo Veronese
• Year Painted: 1563
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 77 m × 9.94 m
• Current Location: Louvre Museum

The Wedding Feast at Cana by Paolo Veronese was painted during the late Renaissance period. Commissioned by the Black Monks of the Order of Saint Benedict to represent the Biblical story of the “Wedding at Cana”, it earned its title as one of the most famous oil paintings in the world for its rich cultural significance.

14. The Hay Wain by John Constable

• Artist: John Constable
• Year Painted: 1821
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 130.2 cm × 185.4 cm
• Current Location: National Gallery, London

The Hay Wain is a very famous oil painting in English circles, the British people just love it! In an old BBC poll, many British people voted for it as their second most loved painting, claiming that the landscape portrayed in the painting is very nostalgic.

15. The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan Van Eyck

• Artist: Jan van Eyck
• Year Painted: 1434
• Medium: Oil on oak panel of 3 vertical boards
• Dimensions: 82.2 cm × 60 cm; panel 84.5 cm × 62.5 cm
• Current Location: National Gallery, London

When it comes to the oil painting community, Jan van Eyck is a very famous figure. As a result, many of his oil paintings, including The Arnolfini Portrait, are considered famous masterpieces.

As for why Jan van Eyck is so prominent amongst so many other famous artists, it is because he was one of the masterminds behind the oil painting technique called oil-glazing, where the artist builds up oil paint in translucent layers to create ultra-realistic light and dark areas.

16. The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer

• Artist: Johannes Vermeer
• Year Painted: 1657–1658
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: H 45.5 cm × W 41 cm
• Current Location: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Johannes Vermeer, the same Dutch artist that painted “The Girl with Pearl Earring”, also created The Milkmaid during the Dutch Golden Age. This oil painting on canvas features a single female figure indoors, matching Johannes Vermeer’s preferred themes of domesticity and intimacy.

17. American Gothic by Grant Wood

• Artist: Grant Wood
• Year Painted: 1930
• Medium: Oil on beaverboard
• Dimensions: 78 cm × 65.3 cm
• Current Location: Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago

American Gothic is a famous oil painting by Grant Wood that is appreciated today for its complex and multifaceted cultural symbolism.

When this famous oil painting was first created, America was suffering from the 1930s Great Depression. During such a tense period, many conflicting opinions naturally arose among American citizens, and in this seemingly simple painting with two rural figures, those conflicts have been symbolically represented.

18. The Son of Man by René Magritte

• Artist: René Magritte
• Year Painted: 1964
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 116 cm × 89 cm
• Current Location: Private collection

The Son of Man by René Magritte is a famous oil painting recognized as a fine example of the Surrealist art movement. As an extra FUN FACT, this oil painting is the first self-portrait on this list of the world’s most famous paintings!

19. Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez

• Artist: Diego Velázquez
• Year Painted: 1656
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 318 cm × 276 cm
• Current Location: Museo del Prado, Madrid

Diego Velázquez is one of the most famous artists of the Spanish Golden Age, and his oil painting, Las Meninas, is naturally considered one of the most important works of that period.

20. The Birth of the Virgin by Francisco de Zurbarán

• Artist: Francisco de Zurbarán
• Year Painted: 1627
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 55-1/2 x 42-3/4 in.
• Current Location: Norton Simon Museum

The famous oil painting artist, Francisco de Zurbarán, is renowned for his religious oil artworks rich in color and value. And his painting, The Birth of the Virgin, is the best example of his preferred style.

21. The Birth of Venus by Alexandre Cabanel

• Artist: Alexandre Cabanel
• Year Painted: 1863
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 150 cm × 250 cm
• Current Location: Musée d’Orsay, Paris

The next famous oil painting on our list is the third with the name, The Birth of Venus. Painted by Alexandre Cabanel, it is notable for the elegant modeling of the main figure and the silky brushwork.

22. Christina’s World by Andrew Wyeth

• Artist: Andrew Wyeth
• Year Painted: 1948
• Medium: Egg tempera on gessoed panel
• Dimensions: 81.9 cm × 121.3 cm
• Current Location: Museum of Modern Art, New York

Christina’s World is Andrew Wyeth’s most famous oil painting, best known for its powerful psychological symbolism.

23. The Card Players by Paul Cézanne

• Artist: Paul Cézanne
• Year Painted: 1894–1895
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 47.5 cm × 57 cm
• Current Location: Musée d’Orsay, Paris

Paul Cézanne is a famous French painter that later inspired many art movements in the modern era, the greatest example of which is Cubism.

The famous oil painting, The Card Players, painted during his later years, is one of the best examples of his influential Post-Impressionist movement style.

24. The Starry Night Over the Rhône by Vincent Van Gogh

• Artist: Vincent van Gogh
• Year Painted: 1888
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 72.5 cm × 92 cm
• Current Location: Musée d’Orsay, Paris

The Starry Night Over the Rhône is a famous easel painting by Vincent van Gogh depicting the beautiful night scenery of Arles.

25. The Girl with a Mandolin by Pablo Picasso

• Artist: Pablo Picasso
• Year Painted: 1910
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 100.3 cm and 73.6 cm
• Current Location: The Museum of Modern Art in New York

The Girl with a Mandolin by Pablo Picasso is a famous Cubist painting considered popular for its unique style that is representative of the aesthetics of that period.

26. A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat

• Artist: Georges Seurat
• Year Painted: 1884–1886
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 207.6 cm × 308 cm
• Current Location: Art Institute of Chicago

A Sunday Afternoon is the first famous oil painting on this list that uses the Pointillist technique. It’s also considered the founding work of the Neo-Impressionist art movement and is one of Georges Seurat’s most famous popular oil paintings.

27. Almond Blossoms by Vincent van Gogh

• Artist: Vincent Van Gogh
• Year Painted: 1890
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 73.5 cm × 92 cm
• Current Location: Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

This sweet and sublime oil painting, symbolizing the start of a new life, was painted by Vincent Van Gogh to celebrate the newborn baby son of his brother, Vincent Willem.

28. Cow’s Skull: Red, White, and Blue by Georgia O’Keeffe

• Artist: Georgia O’Keeffe
• Year Painted: 1931
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 101.3 cm × 91.1 cm
• Current Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art

This famous oil painting by Georgia O’Keeffe is full of American cultural symbolism! The red, white, and blue that signify the nation and the cow skull were painted to represent American citizens’ strength during times of hardship.

29. Impression, Sunrise by Claude Monet

• Artist: Claude Monet
• Year Painted: 1872
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 48 cm × 63 cm
• Current Location: Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris

In Impression, Sunrise, Claude Monet paints the tranquil landscape of the port of Le Havre in his hometown. This famous oil painting is best known for giving the Impression art movement its name.

30. Irises by Vincent van Gogh

• Artist: Vincent van Gogh
• Year Painted: 1889
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 71 cm × 93 cm
• Current Location: J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, California

Irises is the last of Vincent van Gogh’s works on our list of famous oil paintings, notable for its unique silhouettes and light composition.

31. Lady with an Ermine by Leonardo da Vinci

• Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
• Year Painted: 1489–1491
• Medium: Oil on walnut panel
• Dimensions: 71 cm × 93 cm
• Current Location: Czartoryski Museum, Kraków, Poland

This famous oil painting portrait belongs to the small collection of Leonardo da Vinci’s surviving portraits of women, of which there are only FOUR!

32. Napoleon Crossing the Alps by Jacques-Louis David

• Artist: Jacques-Louis David
• Year Painted: 1801
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 261 cm × 221 cm
• Current Location: Château de Malmaison, Rueil-Malmaison

This oil painting is a commemoration of one of Napoleon’s greatest achievements, providing rich historical significance.

33. The Old Guitarist by Pablo Picasso

• Artist: Pablo Picasso
• Year Painted: 1903–1904
• Medium: Oil on panel
• Dimensions: 122.9 cm × 82.6 cm
• Current Location: Art Institute of Chicago

The Old Guitarist is one of Pablo Picasso’s most popular oil paintings, recognized for the strong emotional impact that it brings.

34. The Storm on the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt Van Rijn

• Artist: Rembrandt van Rijn
• Year Painted: 1633
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 160 cm × 128 cm
• Current Location: Whereabouts unknown since 1990

This oil painting dates back to the Dutch Golden Period and is quite well-known for its representation of a biblical story. However, it has not been found since it was stolen in 1990.

35. The Two Fridas by Frida Kahlo

• Artist: Frida Kahlo
• Year Painted: 1939
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 173.5 cm × 173 cm
• Current Location: Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico City

The Two Fridas is a double self-portrait oil painting by the famous Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo who is known for her style of painting with bold and vibrant colors.

36. Whistler’s Mother by James Abbott McNeill Whistler

• Artist: James Abbott McNeill Whistler
• Year Painted: 1871
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 1,443 mm × 1,624 mm
• Current Location: Musée d’Orsay, Paris

Whistler’s Mother is one of the most famous American oil paintings in the world. Considered as such for its masterful use of tones of a single color.

A Brief History Of Oil Painting

Oil paint is one of the oldest painting mediums still existing today. It’s rich in history and has gone through many revivals throughout its lifetime.

When Did Oil Paintings Start?

Oil paintings started as early as the 7th century CE. At that time, artists from Bamiyan, Afghanistan, extracted oil from walnuts and poppies to paint Buddhist murals on cave surfaces.

What Was the First Oil Painting in History?

As far as we have discovered, the first oil painting in history is the previously mentioned Buddhist murals found in Bamiyan, Afghanistan.

Oil Painting Timeline

Of course, the history of oil painting is not limited only to those Buddhist murals. Following that is the revival and eventual popularization of the oil medium, which was most evident in the following periods:

Early Renaissance Period

The Early Renaissance was a period in Italian history ranging from 1400 to 1495 CE. During this period, Jan van Eyck ‘perfected’ the oil medium by creating the oil-glazing technique, allowing oils to replace the more commonly used egg-yolk tempera of the time.

Renaissance Period

The Renaissance period gave birth to many famous oil paintings and famous artists. Works from Leonardo da Vinci, including “The Last Supper” and “Mona Lisa” were able to survive through the rough currents of art history because of having been born in this magical period.

Baroque Period

The Baroque period, from the 17th century to the first half of the 17th century, gave birth to many of the world’s most ornate drawings. Works like “Las Meninas” and “The Night Watch” are the best examples of the aesthetics of this period.

Modern Day

Despite having undergone various changes throughout history, oil paint is still the favorite of most artists. This is true despite the existence of acrylics, which are naturally more time-saving because of their fast-drying qualities.

What Makes Oil Paintings More Valuable?

Oil paintings are considered more valuable than other paintings for many reasons, including:

FAQ

Which Italian City Was Famous for Its Oil Paintings?

Florence, Italy is the city most famous for its oil paintings. It’s often called the birthplace of the Renaissance, as it was the center of activity for many artists during that period.

Who Is the Most Famous Oil Painter?

Leonardo da Vinci is the most famous oil painter, not only for his beautiful oil artworks but also because of his innovative mind that led to the invention of many groundbreaking techniques.

What Kind of Oil Paint Did Van Gogh Use?

Vincent van Gogh used oil paint that was extracted from poppyseed oil and linseed oil.

What Is the History of Oil Painting on Canvas?

Oil painting on canvas dates back to the Early Renaissance period, first used by artists such as Giotto di Bondone and Cimabue.

Did Jan Van Eyck Perfect Oil Painting?

Jan van Eyck perfected oil painting by inventing an oil painting technique called glazing that made full use of the medium’s characteristics.

How Long Do Oil Paintings Last?

On average, oil paintings last for around 50 YEARS. Over time, the colors will fade, and cracks will appear on the surface.

How Can I Learn Oil Painting?

Oil is a beautiful medium that has been used to create many of the most important masterpieces in the world today. If you’re interested in following in the footsteps of those oil painting masters, now is always the best time to do it.

Not sure where to start? Look at these online oil painting classes to see which one works best for you.