The Last Supper (c.1515-20) by Attributed to Giampietrino and Giovanni Antonio BoltraffioRoyal Academy of Arts
The world of art is full of beautiful friendships and collaborations, but sometimes artists quarrel or even dislike each other. Scroll on to learn about some of history's greatest artistic rivalries.
Self-portrait with grey felt hat (September 1887 - October 1887) by Vincent van GoghVan Gogh Museum
In 1888, Vincent van Gogh spent nine weeks hosting Paul Gauguin at his famous Yellow House in Arles, France. Their friendship quickly became enmity, however, and on December 23rd, the infamous incident involving Van Gogh's left ear occurred.
Van Gogh cut off his own ear (accounts differ whether in whole or in part) and brought it to a woman named Rachel. This self-portrait of the Post-Impressionist master was painted in autumn the previous year. It's currently on display at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
LIFE Photo Collection
Paul Gauguin, in account many years later, said that Van Gogh had brandished a straight razor at him before using it to cut off his own ear. Gauguin departed the Yellow House, but the two mended their relationship enough to keep in touch until Van Gogh's death in 1890.
Gauguin painted this morose self-portrait in 1889.
La Femme Qui Pleure (The Weeping Woman) (1937) by Pablo PicassoContemporary Art Platform (CAP) Kuwait
Pablo Picasso, whose artistic career spanned and even defined genres, competed for the world's attention against another titan in the art world: Henri Matisse.
This piece, The Weeping Woman, was painted by Picasso in 1937.
Portrait of Madame Matisse. The Green Line (1905) by Henri MatisseSMK - Statens Museum for Kunst
Rather than erupting in violent confrontation, however, Matisse and Picasso used their rivalry as fuel for creativity. The two kept track of each other's work, and the fencing match between the two led them to push artistic boundaries. This 1905 portrait is of Matisse's wife.
Bib Old T David MichaelangeloLIFE Photo Collection
Michelangelo, one of most renowned artists in history, was also reputed to be somewhat misanthropic. The legendary sculptor was often at odds with contemporary artists, but perhaps most famous is Michelangelo's rivalry with Leonardo da Vinci. David was sculpted from 1501 - 1504.
Study of Two Warriors' Heads for the Battle of Anghiari (ca. 1504–1505) by Leonardo da VinciMuseum of Fine Arts, Budapest
Da Vinci, 23 years Michelangelo's senior, was said to be extremely amiable, so it's no surprise that the two Renaissance men clashed. They were even hired to decorate the Palazzo Vecchio at the same time, culminating in two lost and unfinished paintings.
Leonardo sketched this study for the lost painting, The Battle of Anghiari, around 1504. It is currently at the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest, Hungary.
