Which Two Peices of Art Is Leonardo Most Famous for

Every year, billions of dollars' worth of art passes through international auction houses, while leading museums each hold tens of thousands -- fifty-fifty hundreds of thousands -- of artworks in their collections. Just precious few ever achieve the fame required to truly be considered household names.

As "famous" is a subjective term, CNN Style turned to Google to run across which paintings topped search results worldwide over the past v years.

We compared dozens of popular masterpieces -- from classics such every bit "Mona Lisa," "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" and the "Salavator Mundi," to more mod works like "Nighthawks" and fifty-fifty the "Dogs Playing Poker" series.

Based on those results, these are the world'south ten nigh searched-for paintings:

ane. 'Mona Lisa'

If y'all had whatever doubts most the wild popularity of "Mona Lisa," the crowds at the Louvre will convince you.

Credit: Eric Feferberg/AFP/Getty Images

Creative person: Leonardo da Vinci
Estimated date: 1503 to 1519
Where to run into information technology: Louvre Museum (Paris)

It should come as no surprise that the most famous painting in the globe is that mysterious woman with the enigmatic smiling. Merely that's one of the few certainties well-nigh this work of art.

The sitter in the painting is thought to be Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Florence merchant Francesco del Giocondo, merely experts aren't sure. Information technology did represent an innovation in art -- the painting is the earliest known Italian portrait to focus so closely on the sitter in a half-length portrait, co-ordinate to the Louvre, where information technology was showtime installed in 1804.

Did y'all know? Earlier the 20th century, historians say the "Mona Lisa" was little known outside art circles. But in 1911, an ex-Louvre employee pilfered the portrait and hid information technology for two years. That theft helped cement the painting'southward place in popular culture ever since and exposed millions to Renaissance art.

2. 'The Last Supper'

Visitors have photos of "The Last Supper" ("Il Cenacolo or L'Ultima Cena") at the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy.

Credit: Miguel Medina/AFP/Getty Images

Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
Estimated engagement: 1495 to 1498
Where to see it: Santa Maria delle Grazie (Milan, Italian republic)

Leonardo, the original "Renaissance Man," is the simply artist to appear on this list twice.

Painted in an era when religious imagery was still a dominant artistic theme, "The Terminal Supper" depicts the concluding fourth dimension Jesus broke bread with his disciples before his crucifixion.

The painting is really a huge fresco -- iv.half dozen meters (xv feet) high and eight.viii meters (28.9 feet) broad, which makes for a memorable viewing.

Did you lot know? The fresco has survived 2 wartime threats -- Napoleon'southward troops used the wall of the refectory on which the fresco was painted as target do. It too was exposed to the air for several years when bombing during World State of war 2 destroyed the roof of the Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan.

three. 'The Starry Night'

Tourists await at "The Starry Nighttime" by Vincent Van Gogh at Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Credit: Victor Fraile Rodriguez/Corbis/Getty Images

Creative person: Vincent van Gogh
Date: 1889
Where to see it: Museum of Mod Art (New York Urban center)

The comparatively abstract painting is the signature example of van Gogh'southward innovative and bold employ of thick brushstrokes. The painting's striking dejection and yellows and the dreamy, swirling atmosphere take intrigued art lovers for decades.

Did you know? Van Gogh was living in an asylum in Saint-Rémy, France, being treated for mental disease, when he painted "The Starry Night." He was inspired past the view from the window of his room.

four. 'The Scream'

"The Scream" by Edvard Munch is installed for a special exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.

Credit: The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images

Artist: Edvard Munch
Date: 1893
Where to meet information technology: National Museum (Oslo, Norway -- opening in 2020) and Munch Museum (Oslo -- through May 2020)

Outset things outset -- "The Scream" is non a single work of art. According to a British Museum's blog, there are two paintings, ii pastels and then an unspecified number of prints. The paintings reside in the National Museum and the Munch Museum, and in 2012, one of the pastels sold for most $120 one thousand thousand at sale.

Much like the instance of "Mona Lisa," daring thefts (1994 and 2004) of the two painting versions of "The Scream" helped elevate the public's awareness of the artworks. (Both were eventually institute).

Did you lot know? The androgynous effigy in the forefront of the Art Nouveau-way painting isn't producing the scream but rather is trying to block out a piercing shriek coming from nature. Information technology was inspired past an actual experience Munch had while taking in a sunset stroll in Oslo when a dramatic cerise hue overwhelmed his senses.

five. 'Guernica'

View of Pablo Picasso'southward "Guernica" at the Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid, Spain.

Credit: Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Creative person: Pablo Picasso
Appointment: 1937
Where to see information technology: Museo Reina Sofía (Madrid)

This is the nearly contempo painting on this list, and it depicts the German aerial bombing of the town of Guernica in the Basque region during the Spanish Civil War.

The painting has that distinctive Picasso style, and its unflinching examination of the horrors of war made information technology an essential part of 20th century civilization and history.

Did you know? "Guernica" was moved to the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art in New York during World War II for safekeeping. Picasso requested that the stay exist extended until democracy returned to Spain. It finally went back to Madrid in 1981, six years later on the death of longtime Spanish dictator Gen. Francisco Franco.

6. 'The Kiss'

Visitors adore "The Kiss" past Gustav Klimt at the Upper Dais in Vienna, Republic of austria.

Credit: Omar Marques/Anadolu Agency/Getty Imagesges

Creative person: Gustav Klimt
Estimated date: 1907 to 1908
Where to see it: Upper Belvedere museum (Vienna, Austria)

With No. six, we movement from a written report in detest to a study in dearest with Gustav Klimt's dearest "The Osculation."

From Klimt's "Golden Period," Byzantine creative influences tin can be seen in the highly decorative robes worn by the passionate, life-sized couple.

The Upper Dais says that with "The Kiss," Klimt makes a "full general emblematic statement nigh love being at the center of human existence." Given its magnetic appeal, it seems people agree.

Did y'all know? While "The Kiss" isn't for sale, other works by Klimt are bought and sold for huge sums. Oprah Winfrey offloaded the 1907 artwork "Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer Two" for $150 million in 2016 -- for a cool $60 million turn a profit.

7. 'Daughter With a Pearl Earring'

A journalist takes a photograph of Johannes Vermeer'south "Girl with a Pearl Earring" at the Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague, Netherlands.

Credit: Michel Porro/Getty Images

Creative person: Johannes Vermeer
Estimated date: 1665
Where to see it: Mauritshuis (The Hague, Netherlands)

This intriguing favorite often gets compared with the "Mona Lisa." As well the stylistic differences, technically "Girl With a Pearl Earring" isn't even a portrait, merely a "tronie" -- a Dutch word for a painting of an imaginary figure with exaggerated features.

The oil on sail masterpiece is brilliant in its simplicity. The girl -- wearing a blue and gilded turban and an oversized pearl earring -- is the entire focus with only a dark properties backside her.

Did you know? While the Mauritshuis underwent a renovation from 2012 to 2014, "Girl With a Pearl Earring" went on tour in the United States, Italy and Nippon. It drew huge crowds, further bolstering its condition as one of the earth'south nigh famous works of fine art.

8. 'The Nascence of Venus'

A journalist examines "The Birth of Venus" by Italian painter Sandro Botticelli during a press preview at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, in Oct 2016.

Credit: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images

Artist: Sandro Botticelli
Estimated date: 1485
Where to see information technology: Le Gallerie Degli Uffizi (Florence, Italy)

The oldest painting in the top ten and competing with "The Buss" for almost sensuous, "The Birth of Venus" was probably deputed by a member of the wealthy and fine art-loving Medici family, which ruled Florence and nearby areas for centuries.

Marrying a renewed interest in classic Greek culture with Early Renaissance mode, Botticelli creates an unforgettable figure with the Goddess of Love emerging from a huge scallop trounce.

Did you know? Botticelli'south "Venus" features two meaning departures from most other works of his contemporaries.

Showtime, he painted on canvass instead of the more popular wood. Secondly, nudity was rare at this time -- and so it was daring that Venus is completely exposed minus her long, flowing pilus and a hand (barely) roofing her well-nigh intimate torso parts.

9. 'Las Meninas'

Diego Velazquez'due south "Las Meninas" is seen at the Prado museum on November 19, 2013 in Madrid, Spain.

Credit: Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Creative person: Diego Velázquez
Date: 1656
Where to see it: Museo del Prado (Madrid)

Madrid is the only city in this roundup where you'll detect two of the most 10 famous paintings, the first beingness "Guernica" at No. 5 and "Las Maninas" here at No. 9.

Housed at the pop (and vast) Prado, "Las Meninas" is not only Diego Velázquez`due south near famous painting, it's besides ane of his largest. The complication of the work has fascinated art critics and the public for centuries.

The painting does double duty equally a portrait. It serves as a group portrait of Spanish royalty, only it's also a cocky-portrait of Velázquez himself at piece of work (on the left).

Did you know? "Las Meninas" was commissioned by Rex Philip 4 of Espana, who ruled from 1621 to 1665. It stayed in the royal palace until 1819, when information technology went to the Prado.

10. 'Creation of Adam'

On the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel at The Vatican, the "Creation of Adam" rounds out the tiptop 10 most famous paintings list.

Credit: VCG/Corbis/Getty Images

Artist: Michelangelo
Engagement: 1508 to 1512
Where to see it: Sistine Chapel (The holy see)

The nigh famous piece of work by renowned artist Michelangelo covers a section of the Sistine Chapel's ceiling -- yous take to look up to view it. The scene depicts God and Adam with outstretched artillery, their fingers nearly touching. It is one of the about replicated images in history.

Adam's muscular form hints at Michelangelo's other talent -- his "David" is mayhap the world'due south most famous sculpture. You can see the towering marble statue at the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence.

Did you know? The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel had been dulled by centuries of exposure to candle smoke, amongst much else. After a long, extensive cleaning that ended in 1989, people were shocked to meet the vivid, vibrant colors Michelangelo originally used.

Five more paintings that came close

Here are five more famous paintings that came close to breaking into the top 10 listing:

• "American Gothic" (Grant Wood, Fine art Institute of Chicago)
• "H2o Lilies" serial (Claude Monet, diverse museums around the globe)
• "The Persistence of Memory" (Salvador Dali, Museum of Modern Fine art in New York)
• "The Night Watch" (Rembrandt, Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam)
• "The Garden of Earthly Delights" (Hieronymus Bosch, Museo del Prado, Madrid)

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Source: https://www.cnn.com/style/article/most-famous-paintings/index.html