List of Artists

Welcome to my first list of great artists. I've put together a Top Ten list of some of the greatest artists that ever lived and added a short information teaser with each one just so that you'll know who they were and what they were most famous for.

I expect I'll produce one or two more like this one as there are so many great artists that go back through history that are certainly worthy of note and if belonging to this list. I had toyed with the idea of making one huge list all in theone hub, but then I thought about the amount of work involved in doing that and decided that it woukld be better to break the numbers down into more digestible chunks for two main reasons.

1. I'd never get the hub finished if I went for the long list

2. Any reader of the page would doubtless fall asleep before theygot very far down such a long list!

So short and sweet it is to be, but at least it means I'll get to publish it quickly so I can get started on list number two!

As I delve deeper into the fascinating subject of fine art and the many famous and infamous artists that fall under its huge banner, it has become clear that this could end up being a huge piece of work and I'd still be barely scratching the surface!

Here is my first ten of the greatest artists that ever were. If you have a favourite artists and they are not on this list, don't worry, I'll likely get to them on my next list of great artists! So here are my first choices, not in any particular order:

1. Vincent van Gogh
2. Pablo Picasso
3. Leonardo Da Vinci
4. Michelangelo
5. Rembrandt
6. Claude Monet
7. J.M.W. Turner
8. Paul Gauguin
9. Peter Paul Rubens
10. Herman Munsch

Impressive list huh?

In the next paragraphs, I'll be filling some details about each of the artists on this list of greatness...

Vincent van Gogh:

This Dutch Post-Impressionist Painter, (1853-1890) was probably more famous for cutting off a piece of his ear in a deranged argument with his friend than his actual work. However, Sunflowers, Starry Night, Irises, Saint-Remy as well his self portraits have all fetched incredible sums of money at auction in recent years.

Pablo Picasso:

The Spanish Cubist Painter and Sculptor, (1881-1973) wasbest known for his painting of a protrait of his grilfriend, which was in his best known style. When she saw it she ran crying from the room! Picasso lived in Malaga, southern spain and his home there has been turned into a popular museumof his works of art.

Leonardo Da Vinci:

Italian High Renaissance Painter and Inventor, (1452-1519) the genius had created drawing and diagrams that pre-dated the invention of airplanes, the helicopter and several other more modern "inventions". Of course his most famous painting is the Mona Lisa, but he created many works of art in his lifetime, including religious masterpieces such as The Last Supper and fascinating drawings such as Vitruvian Man.

Michelangelo Buonarroti:

The Italian High Renaissance/Mannerist Painter and Sculptor, (1475-1564) was probably best famed for his creation of the paintings in the Sistine Chapel as well as sculptures such as David, Pieta and religious paintings such as The Creation of Adam and The Head of God.

Rembrandt van Rijn

Dutch Baroque Era Painter and Engraver, (1606-1669) was famous for his painting masterpieces such as The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, Storm on the Sea of Galilee, Philosopher in Meditation, The Night Watch and many more.

Claude Monet:

French Impressionist Painter, (1840-1926) produced such masterpieces as Poppies, Water Liles, Nympheas and The Marina at Argenteuil amongst others.

Joseph Mallord William Turner:

English Romantic Painter, (1775-1851) was famous for painting such masterpieces as Ulysses Deriding Polyphemus, Fighting Temeraire, Rain, Steam and Speed, Burning of the Houses of Parliament, Shipwreck and Sunset on Roue.

Paul Gauguin:

French Post-Impressionist Painter, (1848-1903) was most noted for his painted work including Tahitian Landscape, 1891, The Bathers, 1898, Hail Mary and more humorously Vincent van Gogh Painting Sunflowers

Peter Paul Rubens:

The paintings of Flemish Baroque Era Painter, (1577-1640) were highly sought after with such titles as Portrait of Susanna Lunden, Helena Fourment in a Fur Wrap, St. George and the Dragon, The Two Satyrs, Bellerophon Riding Pegasus Fighting the Chimaera, Equestrian Portrait of the Duke of Lerma and The Fall of the Damned amongst many other masterpieces of note.

Edvard Munsch:

Norwegian symbolist painter and printmaker (1864-1954) is probably best known for his classic masterpiece, Der Schrei (The Scream). His other work includes the paintings Eifersucht (Jealousy), Selbstportrait in der Hoelle (Self-Portrait in Hell) and Vampir (Vampire)

I included this incredible painting in my fine art hall of fame becaus its one of those paintings thatreally stands out from the rest for its sheer resonance and the emotion it conveys to the viewer. While the accuracy of the image is not even particularly good, it doesn't matter as this masterpiece is pure emotion.