The Most Beautiful Art Ever, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the art you think is the most beautiful!
Updated on May 3, 2024 06:17
Art has always served as a mirror to the world's beauty, reflecting myriad cultures, histories, and emotions. Through the ages, people have sought to define what makes a piece of art truly captivating. Establishing a consensus on the 'most beautiful' art is not only intriguing but also an enriching process that guides new appreciations and perspectives.
This site offers everyone the chance to participate in shaping an ongoing, dynamic list of the most beautiful artworks. By casting votes, users contribute to a crowd-sourced appreciation that highlights diverse opinions and tastes. It's a unique opportunity to see which pieces resonate most with the public, and potentially discover new favorites.
What Is the Most Beautiful Art Ever?
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117votes
The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da VinciConsidered one of the most famous paintings in the world, the Mona Lisa is renowned for its enigmatic smile and subtle use of shading.The Mona Lisa is an iconic masterpiece created by Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci. This portrait painting, also known as La Gioconda, was completed between 1503 and 1506. It depicts a seated woman with a mysterious smile, elegantly dressed in Renaissance clothing. The background consists of a landscape with distant mountains and a winding river. The painting is known for its remarkable detail, intricate use of sfumato, and its enigmatic expression which has captivated viewers for centuries.- Creation Date: 1503-1506
- Medium: Oil paint on a poplar wood panel
- Dimensions: 77 cm × 53 cm (30 in × 21 in)
- Technique: Use of sfumato (subtle blending of colors and tones)
- Subject: Portrait of Lisa Gherardini, a noblewoman from Florence, Italy
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251votes
Michelangelo · Public domainThe Sistine Chapel Ceiling by Michelangelo
MichelangeloThis masterpiece of fresco painting depicts scenes from the Bible and is considered one of the greatest works of art in Western civilization.The Sistine Chapel Ceiling is one of the most famous and awe-inspiring works of art ever created. It is a fresco painting located on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, a chapel in Vatican City, Rome. The artwork was painted by the Italian artist Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512 during the Renaissance period. The painting covers an area of approximately 5,600 square feet and is considered a masterpiece of Western art history.- Location: Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, Rome
- Size: Approximately 5,600 square feet
- Medium: Fresco painting
- Time Period: Renaissance
- Duration: Painted between 1508 and 1512
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328votes
Vincent van Gogh · Public domainThe Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van GoghThis iconic painting captures the beauty and mystery of the night sky with swirling colors and bold brushstrokes.The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh is a renowned oil painting created in 1889. It depicts a night landscape with a swirling sky filled with stars above a small village. The artwork is one of Van Gogh's most iconic pieces and is known for its expressive and vivid brushwork.- Year: 1889
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Size: 73.7 cm × 92.1 cm
- Style: Post-Impressionism
- Location: Museum of Modern Art, New York City
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431votes
Jörg Bittner Unna · CC BY 3.0The David by Michelangelo
MichelangeloThis sculpture of the biblical hero David is a masterpiece of Renaissance art, showcasing the human form in all its glory.The David by Michelangelo is a renowned marble sculpture depicting the biblical hero David. Standing at a height of 17 feet, the artwork portrays David in a confident and triumphant pose, with a slingshot over his left shoulder and a tense expression on his face. The sculpture is admired for its exceptional realism and attention to detail, showcasing Michelangelo's remarkable skills as a sculptor. The David is considered a masterpiece of the Renaissance period and is one of the most iconic works of art in the world.- Title: The David
- Height: 17 feet
- Material: Marble
- Depiction: Biblical hero David
- Pose: Confident and triumphant
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58votes
Papamanila · CC BY-SA 3.0Guernica by Pablo Picasso
Pablo PicassoThis powerful painting depicts the horrors of war and the suffering of innocent civilians, making it a timeless work of political art.Guernica is a highly influential and iconic painting created by Pablo Picasso, a renowned Spanish artist. Completed in 1937, the artwork depicts the tragic events of the German and Italian bombings on the town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. Measuring 349 cm × 776 cm (137.4 in × 305.5 in), the painting is monumental in size and is executed in black, white, and gray tones. It showcases a distorted and fragmented representation of the suffering and disarray caused by the bombing, conveying a powerful anti-war message.- Year: 1937
- Dimensions: 349 cm × 776 cm (137.4 in × 305.5 in)
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Style: Cubism
- Movement: Surrealism
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614votes
Leonardo da Vinci · Public domainThe Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da VinciThis iconic painting captures the moment when Jesus shares his final meal with his disciples before his crucifixion.The Last Supper is a famous religious painting depicting the last meal Jesus had with his twelve apostles before his crucifixion. It is a stunning mural created by the Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci in the late 15th century. The painting is housed in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy.- Date: 1495-1498
- Medium: Tempera and oil on plaster
- Dimensions: 460 cm × 880 cm (181 in × 346 in)
- Style: Renaissance
- Subject: The Last Supper
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78votes
AndrewHorne (talk) · Public domainThe Thinker by Auguste Rodin
Auguste RodinThis bronze sculpture depicts a man in deep contemplation, symbolizing the power of thought and reflection.The Thinker is a renowned sculpture created by Auguste Rodin. It depicts a muscular, nude man sitting on a rock, resting his chin on one hand, deep in contemplation. The figure exudes a sense of introspection and intellectual power.- Year: 1880-1881
- Medium: Bronze
- Dimensions: 73.7 cm × 46.7 cm × 47 cm (29 inches × 18.4 inches × 18.5 inches)
- Weight: Approximately 180 kg (397 lbs)
- Location: Musée Rodin, Paris and various other locations worldwide
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89votes
The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali
Salvador DaliThis surreal painting features melting clocks and other bizarre imagery, challenging our perception of reality.The Persistence of Memory is a surrealist masterpiece created by Salvador Dali in 1931. It features a dreamlike landscape with melting clocks draped over various objects. The scene is set on a desolate beach with a vast expanse of the sea in the background. The painting has a sense of mystery and ambiguity, inviting interpretations about the nature of time and reality.- Year: 1931
- Genre: Surrealism
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 24 cm × 33 cm (9.5 in × 13 in)
- Location: Museum of Modern Art, New York City
The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali in other rankings- Position 4 of 10 in Most scary painting
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98votes
Les Demoiselles d'Avignon by Pablo Picasso
Pablo PicassoThis groundbreaking painting depicts five nude women in a provocative and confrontational manner, challenging traditional notions of beauty and sexuality.Les Demoiselles d'Avignon is a groundbreaking and highly influential painting created by Pablo Picasso. It was completed in 1907 and is considered one of the most important artworks of the 20th century. The painting depicts five nude female prostitutes in a brothel in Avignon, France. The aesthetic style of Les Demoiselles d'Avignon combines elements of Cubism and African tribal masks, showcasing Picasso's revolutionary approach to form and representation. The painting measures 243.9 cm × 233.7 cm (96 in × 92 in) and is currently housed in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.- Year: 1907
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 243.9 cm × 233.7 cm (96 in × 92 in)
- Artistic style: Cubism
- Subject: Nude female prostitutes
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106votes
Sandro Botticelli · Public domainThe Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli
Sandro BotticelliThis Renaissance masterpiece depicts the goddess of love emerging from the sea, surrounded by other mythological figures.The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli is a famous painting created in the 15th century. It depicts the mythological goddess Venus, born from the sea, standing on a seashell and being blown to the shore by Zephyrus, the god of the west wind. Venus is portrayed as a beautiful and idealized figure, standing in an elegant contrapposto pose with her long, flowing golden hair cascading down her back. The painting is filled with symbolism and rich color, highlighting Botticelli's attention to detail and mastery of composition.- Year: 1484–1486
- Medium: Tempera on canvas
- Dimensions: 172.5 cm × 278.9 cm (67.9 in × 109.6 in)
- Location: Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy
- Style: Renaissance
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Ranking factors for beautiful art
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Visual impactThe artwork should have a striking visual impact that instantly captures the viewer's attention and evokes an emotional response.
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Aesthetic appealThe artwork should possess a high degree of aesthetic appeal, showcasing the artist's skill in the use of colors, shapes, lines, and textures.
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Technical masteryThe artwork should demonstrate a high level of technical mastery and craftsmanship, with precise attention to detail and execution.
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Creativity and originalityThe artwork should display innovation and the artist's unique vision, contributing something new and meaningful to the world of art.
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Emotional resonanceThe artwork should connect with viewers on an emotional level, allowing them to empathize with or be moved by the piece.
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Historical and cultural significanceThe artwork should have a significant impact on the history of art, contributing to new movements, styles, or ideas, or reflecting the cultural context in which it was created.
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Conceptual depthThe artwork should convey deep and thought-provoking concepts that encourage viewers to think beyond the surface of the artwork and consider the underlying themes and messages.
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TimelessnessThe artwork should possess a timeless quality that allows it to remain relevant and admired across different periods and cultures.
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Iconic statusThe artwork should have a strong iconic status, often easily recognizable and influential, inspiring other artists and audiences alike.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most beautiful art ever. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or art is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 3238 views
- 180 votes
- 10 ranked items
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Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each art once every 24 hours. The rank of each art is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
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More information on most beautiful art ever
Art has been a means of creative expression for humans for thousands of years. From the earliest cave paintings to the most recent contemporary art installations, art has captured the imagination and inspired people across the globe. The beauty of art lies in its ability to convey emotions and ideas through various mediums such as painting, sculpture, photography, and more. Beauty is subjective, and what one person finds beautiful may not be the same for another. However, certain artworks have become widely acknowledged as some of the most beautiful ever created. From Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling to Van Gogh's Starry Night, the most beautiful art ever created has the power to take our breath away and leave us in awe. At StrawPoll, we aim to discover what the public thinks about the most beautiful art ever, through our polls and rankings.
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