Bring a bottle and a canvas, and let's enjoy the art 'en plein air'
The Beach at Trouville (1870) by Claude MonetThe National Gallery, London
The sun's out, let's head down to The Beach at Trouville, as painted by Claude Monet in 1870. Beach holidays were popular with the Impressionists, of which Monet was a member.
The sun, sand, and sea offered a light, modern subject for painting.
A Sunday on La Grande Jatte (1884-1886) by Georges SeuratThe Art Institute of Chicago
The sun is shining, the boats are sailing. It's a beautifulSunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.
Georges Seurat painted this scene, his best-known work, between 1884-85. At the time, La Grande Jatte was a bucolic escape from Paris.
The Picnic (ca. 1885) by Georges SeuratDixon Gallery and Gardens
At the other end of the scale, Seurat's The Picnic of 1885 depicts a much more intimate gathering, while perfectly capturing the effects of dappled sunshine on the warm, soft grass, linen shirts, and straw hats.
This may well be a small study made for La Grande Jatte.
The Boating Party (1893/1894) by Mary CassattNational Gallery of Art, Washington DC
Around the time of making this painting, Mary Cassat was spending her summers at Antibes, on the Mediterranean coast.
The Boating Party, 1893-1894, reflects that southern sun with a refreshing palette of blue and yellow.
Luncheon of the Boating Party (1880-1881) by Pierre-Auguste RenoirThe Phillips Collection
Pierre-Auguste Renoir brings all his fashionable friends together in The Luncheon of the Boating Party, made in 1880.
Rowing shirtless was a flirtatious activity for the bright young things of 19th Century Paris, while riverside bars made sure the champagne kept flowing.
Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette (1876) by Auguste RenoirMusée d’Orsay, Paris
If you'd rather keep your feet dry, you could Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette. This vibrant café-bar was a favourite of artists and writers, with all-day dancing and drinking.
Renoir's 1876 painting captures the vivacious characters you're likely to bump into. Shall we?
Bathers (Les Grandes Baigneuses) (about 1894-1905) by Paul CézanneThe National Gallery, London
Paul Cézanne's Bathers paintings are amongst his most enigmatic. Androgynous figures in a hazy landscape merge together to become one.
Ceźanne painted many versions, but this one, painted between 1894–1905, hangs at London's National Gallery.
The Pond (about 1877 - 1879) by Paul CézanneMuseum of Fine Arts, Boston
Cézanne's Bathers develop the themes and styles he first explored in his painting The Pond, made some time between 1877–79, when he lived in the town of Auvers, just outside of Paris.
While his subjects seem relaxed, they're also distant - in a world of their own.
Holyday (c.1876) by James TissotTate Britain
James Tissot's 1876 Holyday shows a group of elegantly dressed men and women during a picnic at the pond in his garden.
On the right is Tissot's muse and lover, Kathleen Newton, who appears to avert her eyes from us, looking on.
Luncheon on the Grass (1863) by Edouard ManetMusée d’Orsay, Paris
Déjeuner sur l'herbe - the painting that sparked a thousand picnics.
This iconic masterpiece by Edouard Manet was originally rejected from the exclusive Paris Salon, but went on to inspire generations of painters and picnickers looking to recreate a slice of art history.
Pedernal (1941) by Georgia O'KeeffeGeorgia O'Keeffe Museum
Explore more of the outdoors with 5 Landscapes You'll Love to Zoom Into
Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
Dixon Gallery and GardensGeorgia O'Keeffe MuseumMuseum of Fine Arts, BostonMusée d’Orsay, ParisNational Gallery of Art, Washington DCTate BritainThe Art Institute of ChicagoThe National Gallery, LondonThe Phillips Collection
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Online ExhibitBefore the Mona Lisa: Leonardo’s Captivating Ginevra de’ BenciNational Gallery of Art, Washington DC
Online ExhibitFive important works from the Georgia O’Keeffe MuseumGeorgia O'Keeffe Museum
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Online Exhibit21st Century Designer FashionMuseum of Fine Arts, Boston
Online ExhibitThe 'excellent and learned' ArtemisiaThe National Gallery, London
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Online ExhibitVermeer and the Masters of Genre PaintingNational Gallery of Art, Washington DC
Online ExhibitGeorgia O’Keeffe’s life in artGeorgia O'Keeffe Museum
Online ExhibitRadical GeometriesMuseum of Fine Arts, Boston
FAQs
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Leonardo da Vinci's “Mona Lisa” ranks first among the most searched paintings of last year with over one million online searches on average each month. Pablo Picasso's “Guernica” comes second, with almost half the monthly average search volume (454,500).
What is the most searched painting on Google? ›
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Leonardo da Vinci's “Mona Lisa” ranks first among the most searched paintings of last year with over one million online searches on average each month. Pablo Picasso's “Guernica” comes second, with almost half the monthly average search volume (454,500).
What is the #1 most famous painting in the world? ›
1. Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci (1503-1505) Probably the most famous painting in the world is Leonardo da Vinci's La Gioconda, better known as Mona Lisa. This painting is a portrait of Madame Gherardini, personifying the ideal woman of the Renaissance.
How to get featured on Google Arts and Culture? ›
If you have cultural content that you would like to publish using the Google Arts & Culture platform, please request an invite on g.co/cisignup. If eligible, we'll send you an invite via email.
What is considered the most beautiful painting in the world? ›
Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa' is without a doubt one of the most famous paintings in the whole wide world. Currently housed in Louvre, Paris, this masterpiece has been the center of attention for years now. The portrait's beauty lies in Mona Lisa's smile and the way she looks at the audience.
What is trending in paintings? ›
Key art trends in 2024 include chocolate brown color themes, smaller-sized art, mixed media artworks, portraiture with a modern twist, and abstract shapes in wall art prints.
Who is World No 1 painter? ›
Leonardo da Vinci, probably the most important Renaissance artist, is widely recognized as the most famous artist of all time.
What is the most famous painting today? ›
Unsurprisingly, the most visited painting in the world is also the most famous portrait ever painted – the Mona Lisa.
Who is the most famous female artist alive today? ›
Yayoi Kusama (b. 1929) is arguably the most famous female artist alive today. Yayoi Kusama is a contemporary artist known for her profuse use of polka dots and her extensive body of work which includes paintings, sculpture, clothing, art objects, performances, and installations.
Can anyone use Google Arts and Culture? ›
Bringing the world's art and culture online for everyone
We work with cultural institutions and artists around the world. Together, our mission is to preserve and bring the world's art and culture online so it's accessible to anyone, anywhere.
This website has many tools and a lot of information that keep students engaged and interested. There are many games that can greatly benefit students in both learning and sparking their interests. Being able to view artworks, cultures, and history from all around the world is both enriching and fun to explore.
Can I use images from Google Arts and Culture? ›
Yes, you can use images from Google Arts & Culture on your blog if you provide credit.
What is the number 1 famous painting? ›
1. Leonardo Da Vinci, Mona Lisa, 1503–19. Painted between 1503 and 1517, Da Vinci's alluring portrait has been dogged by two questions since the day it was made: Who's the subject and why is she smiling?
Who is the number 1 artwork in the World? ›
"Mona Lisa" by Leonardo da Vinci
Undoubtedly the most famous painting in the world, Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" is an enigmatic masterpiece that has fascinated viewers for centuries.
Who is the most famous visual artist right now? ›
Who are the most famous contemporary artists? Among the most famous contemporary artists are Cindy Sherman, Liu Xiaodong, Cecily Brown, Liu Wei, Miquel Barcelo and Takashi Murakami.
What is the most searched type of art? ›
Digital art is undoubtedly one of the most popular art styles of today, as technology continues to shape and transform the creative landscape. This style encompasses various mediums, such as digital painting, graphic design, animation, and virtual reality, to name a few.
What is the most viewed artwork? ›
Unsurprisingly, the most visited painting in the world is also the most famous portrait ever painted – the Mona Lisa.
