Artists: Dufy (1951) by Gjon MiliLIFE Photo Collection
Some artists paint directly from their imaginations, but many work from real life references. Scroll to compare and contrast artistic works with the locations which inspired them.
The Château du Clos Lucé (XIXth century - 2016) by UnknownCastle of Clos Lucé
Château du Clos Lucé
This illustrious château, a few hours southwest of Paris, was illustrated by an unknown artist in the 19th century, but its history extends even farther into the past. Built in 1471, the manor has had a number of notable residents, including Leonardo da Vinci.
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Clos Lucé has changed hands many times since its construction, but today, it's open as a museum and you can learn about the life and work of da Vinci.
Bourne, James (Circle of) , Dove Cottage (19th Century) by Bourne, James (Circle of)Wordsworth Grasmere
Dove Cottage
The home of beloved English poet William Wordsworth, Dove Cottage was originally built as a pub in the early 1600s. Several of Wordsworth's most celebrated poems were penned right here in this modest cottage.
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Today, the cottage is open to visitors and you can see its famous garden. Click to explore the area using Street View.
The Church in Auvers-sur-Oise, View from the Chevet (1890) by Vincent van GoghMusée d’Orsay, Paris
The Church in Auvers-sur-Oise
Van Gogh's final months were spent in Auvers, France where he was extremely prolific with his artwork. This oil painting of the town church is exemplary of his work at the time. This piece, done in 1890, is hanging at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.
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As you can see, the church has been wonderfully preserved in the time since. Swipe back and forth to compare the painting with the real thing, then look around with Street View.
The Funeral of Victor Hugo (1885) by Alfred Phillipe RollMaryhill Museum of Art
Arc de Triomphe
French painter Alfred Philippe Roll created this nighttime scene of author Victor Hugo's funeral, backdropped by the magnificent Parisian monument at the end of the Champs-Élysées.
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Completed in the 1830s, the monument still stands triumphantly today. Tourists can explore in person or using Street View. You can even paint the scene!
Taj-Mahal, Sunset (ca. 1916) by Artist: Charles W. Bartlett, Publisher: Watanabe ShozaburoSmithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art
Taj Mahal
English artist Charles W. Bartlett traveled extensively, creating prints and paintings of beautiful locations all around the globe. This print of the Taj Mahal was created with Japanese shin-hanga woodblock printmaker Shōzaburō Watanabe in 1916.
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The real Taj Mahal, commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1632, is a gorgeous mausoleum in Agra, India. It remains one of the most prized architectural and artistic achievements in the world.
Machu Picchu I (1957) by Georgia O'KeeffeGeorgia O'Keeffe Museum
Machu Picchu
American artist Georgia O'Keeffe painted this serene view of the misty Peruvian mountains in 1957. This ethereal piece is on display at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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In actuality, Machu Picchu is much more than hazy hilltops. It is a mountain citadel built by the Inca in the 1400s. Use Street View to discover the breathtaking Peruvian vistas!
