Whether you love creating art or prefer to appreciate the work of others, there have been some incredibly talented and influential artists throughout history who have shaped the way we make and look at art and the world. Here are some of the most influential artists of all time:
Leonardo da Vinci
Achieved immortality for his most famous portrait of the Mona Lisa. He was responsible for so much more though and was a leading thinker of designs, scientific inventions, medicine and even flight. His paintings explored ideas of religion and humanity with other notable works including The Last Supper and the Vitruvian Man.
Salvador Dali
Dali is famous for his works of surrealism which were filled with deep symbolism. He was the master at taking contemporary themes in society and distorting them through a warped reality and his works inspired great contemplation.
Banksy
A controversial figure whom many would argue does not represent art in the true form. Using graphic prints in graffiti, Banksy makes bold societal comments on city buildings. His real identity is unknown, possibly because graffiti is a criminal offence. He inspires debate with his statements on contemporary society and has been the inspiration for a whole generation of street artists.
Vincent Van Gogh
Van Gogh only achieved recognition and fame after his death but his paintings were deeply personal reflections, particularly his self-portraits. His method of using bright colours applied with thick brushstrokes was to inspire generations of artists. For Giclee Printing, visit http://www.river-studio.com/fine-art-printing/fine-art-giclee-printing.php
Rembrandt
The Dutch Master known for his incredible ability to capture the spirit of the person he was painting, through the intricate use of facial expression and light. Known as one of the greatest painters in history, his work included the iconic The Night Watch.
Claude Monet
Monet was a genius of impressionism and could capture the effects of light on a landscape with uncanny precision. One of his most iconic works include the Lily Pond which is a joy to behold. Later movements such as Pop Art, Abstract Expressionism and Minimalism were all influenced by the work of Monet.
Michaelangelo
Not just a painter but also a sculptor, architect and poet. During his lifetime, he was commissioned by several Popes in Rome to complete works that included the painting of the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, the famous David sculpture and the design of a library for a church. This one man had a massive influence on the world of art.
Frida Kahlo
A performance artist with paint, Frida Kahlo expressed herself beautifully as an artist with a deep Mexican heritage and as a woman experiencing tough conditions in the early 20th century. She became a feminist icon and her self-portraits carry a surreal edge to them. She appears as majestic and long-suffering, representing her difficult life of illness, injury and a rocky marriage.
Andy Warhol
Credited with being the father of Pop Art, the movement already existed but Warhol brought it to the masses. He brought his expertise of marketing into the fine art world which challenged many preconceptions and paved the way for bringing art to the people. His most famous works include Marilyn Monroe and Campbell’s Soup.