Young Woman Seated at a Virginal (ca. 1670-72) by Johannes VermeerThe Leiden Collection
1) Young Woman Seated at a Virginal, Johannes Vermeer
Vermeer was a master of capturing the gentle fall of light. His painting of A Young Woman Seated at a Virginal clothes his subject in an eye-catching yellow cloak. Perhaps she's dressed up to entertain a guest, or even a suitor.
In a Roman Osteria (1866) by Carl BlochSMK - Statens Museum for Kunst
2) In a Roman Osteria, Carl Bloch
There's no question of what this yellow woman In a Roman Osteria has in mind. Carl Bloch highlights her against the white wall, white shirt, and white wimple with a shimmering golden dress. But I'd look away, before her friend with the glinting switchblade gets any ideas.
Watch out!
Still Life with Bouquet (1871) by Pierre-Auguste RenoirThe Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
3) Still Life With Bouquet, Auguste Renoir
Auguste Renoir bathes his simple scene of domestic bliss in a warm yellow light. The Chinese fan, the pampas grass and the ageing yellowed print speak to the owner's refined tastes and eye for colorist composition.
The yellow house (`The street') (September 1888 - 1888) by Vincent van GoghVan Gogh Museum
4) The Yellow House, Vincent van Gogh
Of all artists, perhaps none enjoyed yellow more than Vincent van Gogh. This painting of his Arles home, The Yellow House, captures the heat of the Mediterranean, the dusty, sandy streets, and his burgeoning optimism.
Impression III (Concert) (1911) by Wassily KandinskyStädtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus and Kunstbau
5) Impression III (Concert), Wassily Kandinsky
Wassily Kandinsky's purely abstract paintings sought to express rather than to capture. His 1911 paintings Impression III (Concert) does hint to a crowd of people, but the sweep of yellow dominates the canvas, suggesting the joy of music spreading over the enthusiastic crowd.
The Kiss (1908-1909) by Gustav KlimtBelvedere
6) The Kiss, Gustav Klimt
Gustav Klimt's The Kiss turns a private moment of passion into a transcendent, eternal image. The gold-cloaked pair could be gods, stood amongst the glittering flowers and firmament. It's no surprise that it was painted in what's considered a golden era of Vienna.
Nan and Brian in Bed, New York City (1983) by Nan GoldinMoMA The Museum of Modern Art
7) Nan and Brian in Bed, Nan Goldin
Light cascades through the bedroom window onto the soft, youthful skin of Nan Goldin's lover, Brian. It could be the dawn after the night before, or it could be the flickering light of the sun setting on a doomed relationship. Nan herself seems uncertain.
Sunflowers (January 1889 - 1889) by Vincent van GoghVan Gogh Museum
8) Sunflowers, Vincent van Gogh
As before, Vincent van Gogh truly is the master of yellow. It simply wouldn't be fair to miss out one of his favourite subjects, and most famous of paintings, Sunflowers. In his eyes, these flowers connoted gratitude, and he gave many as gifts to his dear friends.
Discover more yellow artworks, and paintings from all corners of the spectrum, with Explore By Color.
