Red is a color deeply rooted in the human psyche, and connected to the most powerful emotions, love and hate. This gallery is to display the contrasting feelings this single color can produce.
The Scream, Edvard Munch, 1910, From the collection of: The Munch Museum, Oslo
While the facial expression in this piece could be taken for either fear or excitement, it is the red in the sky and on the walkway that helps clarify that the subject is in distress.
The Holy Family, Martin Schongauer, 1480/1490, From the collection of: Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien
Here red is used as the brightest color in the scene and draws attention to the woman, making her more intimate and relevant than the gentleman in the background.
In this scene the use of red is obvious, the blood everywhere makes this a violent and aggressive work.
RED, Choi, Jeonghwa, 2011, From the collection of: Korean Art Museum Association
Here red is the only color besides shades of grey, making it a stark contrast and much more captivating to the eye.
Red Yamari flanked by Virupa and Dombi Heruka, 17th century, From the collection of: Rubin Museum of Art
The red here is the color of the characters expressing anger and helps to emphasize that emotion.
The Mass of Saint Gregory the Great, Master of Portillo, early 16th century, From the collection of: Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest
The red in this scene is used to show people of power and make them more visible as well as seeming more passionate.
Self-Portrait, Kaita Murayama, Taisho period, dated 1918, From the collection of: Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts
Muyarama's choice to use red as the primary color for his portrait gives this piece grittier feel.
The Mourning Mary Magdalene, Colijn de Coter, ca. 1500, From the collection of: Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest
The only red in this image is that in her sleeves, putting more emphasis on the gesture of mourning Mary is doing with her hands.
Lady in red, József Rippl-Rónai (1861 - 1927), Lazarine Baudrion (1865 - 1947), 1898, From the collection of: Museum of Applied Arts, Budapest
The position of the woman's hips as well as the viewing angle are both to show her beauty and curves, which the red dress helps to convey.
Red Engine, Sándor Bortnyik (1883–1976), 1918, From the collection of: Hungarian National Museum
Here red is used to give the piece a warm overall tone, where as another color could not.
(Main View), From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
Again we can see the use of red in blood to convey a violent act taking place, but it is also used to show that the character catching Jesus cares greatly about him.
Here the red dress makes the woman pop and stand out of the background, drawing attention to her and making her more ascetically pleasing.
Saint John the Evangelist Weeping, Colijn de Coter, ca. 1500, From the collection of: Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest
Again red is used to show an important religious figure and represent his power and authority.
Dancing Red Ganapati of the Three Red Deities, 15th-16th century, From the collection of: Rubin Museum of Art
The red here is used to create the illusion of movement, particularly where the red and blue come together in the jagged pattern around the character, reminiscent of fire.
Red Mark, Villoria, Ana, 2006/2006, From the collection of: Universidad Pública de Navarra
In the final image of this gallery, we have an example of the most recognizable universal symbols of love and passion, the heart. Red with the color of the life giving blood that runs through it.
Credits: All media
This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
Hungarian National Museum
Rubin Museum of Art
The J. Paul Getty Museum
Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts
Universidad Pública de Navarra
Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest
Korean Art Museum Association
The Munch Museum, Oslo
Museum of Applied Arts, Budapest