Pleasant Landscape 1098 (2011) by Kim, Ik MoKorean Art Museum Association
Fancy yourself as an art aficionado? Scroll on to see if you can identify which artist is behind some of the art history's most recognizable works.
American Gothic (1930) by Grant Wood (American, 1891-1942)The Art Institute of Chicago
1. American Gothic, 1930
American Gothic is arguably the most famous 20th century work to come out of the US. The image has spawned countless copies and parodies and become an instantly recognizable icon of classic Americana.
The painting features a farmer and his daughter (often mistaken for his wife) standing in front of a Gothic-style wood clad house. Both figures have unsmiling, severe expressions. The farmer holds a fork and the woman is dressed in a colonial print apron and a stiffly starched collar.
The female figure was modelled by the artist’s sister, an art teacher and artist in her own right. The male figure was based on a man named Dr. Byron McKeeby, the artist’s family dentist.
So, do you know who painted this famous artwork?
Grant Wood-Artist (1937-01) by Peter StackpoleLIFE Photo Collection
Grant Wood
Born in rural Iowa in 1891, Grant Wood spent much of his life in the state, with many of his most famous works (including American Gothic) painted there. It was perhaps this firm rooting in the American Midwest that allowed Wood to create such an evocative and iconic image.
The Kiss (1908-1909) by Gustav KlimtBelvedere
2. The Kiss, 1907 or 1908
The Kiss, created in the early 20th century, is another instantly recognizable masterpiece. Enhanced with gold leaf, the abstract image shows two bodies in an embrace. Though two distinct figures, their limbs and clothes are closely entwined, giving the couple a solid, monolithic appearance.
The use of gold leaf gives the image an almost religious feel, while the timeless subjects – love, intimacy and romance – mean the painting has struck a chord with millions of people over the decades.
So, do you know which famous artist created this beautiful work?
Gustav Klimt (c. 1910) by Moriz NährAustrian National Library
Gustav Klimt
Austrian Painter Gustav Klimt painted The Kiss in 1907 or 1908, right at the peak of his Golden Phase. Though the ‘explicit’ subject of The Kiss created controversy when it was first displayed, the work was enthusiastically received by the public and was purchased by the Austrian government when it was still unfinished.
Composition en rouge, jaune et bleu Composition in Red, Yellow and Blue (1927) by Piet MondrianMuseum Folkwang
3. Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow, 1930
Rather than just a single artwork, this time we’re looking at an entire series. If you’re a fan of art and 20th century design, these squares will probably be very familiar.
Place de la Concorde (1938–1943)Dallas Museum of Art
These grid-like works were made over a period of around 20 years and are the most famous images created by the artist. The pattern has been recreated in fashion, digital design, and crockery.
Abstraction (1939/1942) by Piet Mondrian and Piet MondrianOriginal Source: Kimbell Art Museum
So, who’s responsible for these geometric masterpieces?
Self-Portrait (ca. 1900) by Piet MondrianThe Phillips Collection
Piet Mondrian
Born in the Netherlands in 1872, Piet Mondrian is considered to be one of the best artists of all time. Incredibly influential, Mondrian was a pioneer of abstract art and modernism. His iconic works are on display in galleries around the world, including Paris, Den Haag, and Zurich.
Learn more about Piet Mondrian here.
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