Learn about Michelangelo Buonarroti, painter of the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo created some of the most beautiful sculptures, frescos, and paintings in all of history, and is possibly the most famous artist that ever lived.. . . read more
Piet Mondrian's most recognized works are abstract paintings of colored squares, rectangles, and thick black lines - but of course Mondrian didn't start out painting that way. Looking at the paintings below you can easily see the evolution of his painting style over the years.. . . read more
Dutch artist and still life painter Willem Kalf created some of the finest, most ornate still life paintings in art history. Ornamental and rich, Willem Kalf's paintings were very sought after by the wealthy 17th century Dutch noblemen.. . . read more
The artist Vincent Van Gogh was a post-impressionist painter whose love of color is clearly seen in his now famous paintings. Vincent Van Gogh also lived in an insane asylum for some of his life after cutting off part of his ear.Eventually Van Gogh committed suicide.. . . read more
Learn about artist Salvador Dali and his surrealist paintings, including Persistence of Memory, his most famous surreal painting of melting clocks. Like most Surrealists, Salvador Dali painted dream sequences and made artwork from his imagination.. . . read more
The famous artist Paul Cezanne (known as the father of modern art) was one of the first post-impressionist painters of the 19th century. Paul Cezanne created paintings that led the way for abstract art and cubism in the 20th century.. . . read more
Paul Gauguin was a post-impressionist painter who started out as an impressionist. Paul Gauguin's paintings explored vivid color and were very expressive, especially his later artwork when he lived on tropical islands.. . . read more
The artist Caravaggio and his early Baroque paintings are very famous, as are his wild lifestyle and temper. When Caravaggio wasn't painting he was getting into fights - eventually he killed a man and was wanted for murder in Rome.. . . read more
Learn about Dutch artist and painter Rembrandt Van Rijn, and see portraits he painted throughout his life. Rembrandt Van Rijn is one of the world's greatest portrait painters, which shows in these self-portraits.. . . read more
Inventor, Scientist, and Artist, Leonardo da Vinci was the greatest Renaissance man of the 15th and 16th centuries. Learn about Leonardo da Vinci sketching, painting, and creating artistic masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper.. . . read more