Top 10 Renowned Artists in the World

Leonardo da Vinci, the famous Italian artist, was born on April 15, 1452, in Anchiano, Italy, and passed away on May 2, 1519, in Amboise, France. In addition to being a painter, he was a sculptor, architect, musician, engineer, doctor, anatomist, inventor, and natural philosopher. He is considered an Italian polymath. The city of Vinci, where he was born, is in the territory of the province of Florence, 30 km west of Florence near Empoli, and also his surname. He is commonly referred to as Leonardo because 'da Vinci' means 'from Vinci,' not his actual surname. His full name is Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci, meaning 'Leonardo, son of Ser Piero, from Vinci.' He is the author of famous works such as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper.

He had ideas ahead of his time, especially the concept of helicopters, tanks, parachutes, the use of solar convergence, computers, sketches of terrain construction theory, double-hulled ships, and many other inventions. Some of his designs were realized and feasible during his lifetime. The application of science in metalworking and engineering in the Renaissance is still in its infancy. In addition, he made significant contributions to knowledge and understanding in anatomy, astronomy, civil engineering, optics, and hydraulic research. Few artifacts from his life remain, with only a few paintings and several notebooks (scattered in various collections of his works), containing sketches, illustrations of science, and diaries.

Vincent van Gogh, a renowned Dutch artist, is acknowledged as a master of Post-Impressionism, and his works are adored by art enthusiasts worldwide, some fetching record-breaking prices. He holds the 10th position in the list of the greatest Dutch figures in history, compiled by KRO in 2004. Van Gogh's paintings continuously set records for sales in the 1980s and 1990s. He was a pioneering artist in the Expressionist movement, significantly influencing both the Fauvist and Expressionist movements in Germany. His impact reverberated through generations, inspiring artists such as Henri Matisse (a Fauvist) and members of the Die Brücke group (Expressionists).

Van Gogh experimented with watercolor while still in primary school, but only a few of these paintings exist, and authorship is uncertain. When he embarked on his painting career as an adult, he began at an elementary level. In early 1882, his uncle, Cornelis Marinus, owner of a prestigious contemporary art gallery in Amsterdam, commissioned a painting of La Haye. Van Gogh's work did not meet expectations, leading to disappointment. Marinus gave Van Gogh a second chance, providing detailed instructions, but again, the results were disappointing. Undeterred, Van Gogh experimented with light in his studio, adjusting the shutter and trying different drawing materials. For over a year, he focused on single-figure studies, meticulous black-and-white studies. At the time, his works faced criticism, but later, they were recognized as early masterpieces.

Pablo Ruiz Picasso, a Spanish artist and sculptor, is considered one of the prominent figures of the 20th century, often referred to simply as Pablo Picasso. Picasso, along with Georges Braque, co-founded the Cubist movement in painting and sculpture. He ranks among the top 10 greatest visual artists of the 20th century, according to The Times, UK. He left behind nearly 50,000 artworks across various mediums, including sculpture, ceramics, and paintings, with some featured in the list of the world's most expensive artworks.

The works of Picasso are often categorized into different periods. Although the nomenclature of his later creative periods is a subject of debate, most accept the division of his early periods into the Blue Period, Rose Period, African Art Influence - Sculpture Period, Analytic Cubist Period, and Synthetic Cubist Period. After World War I, Picasso delved into a neoclassical style, and one of his most famous works, Guernica, was created during this period. The painting depicts the bombing of Guernica by German fascists during the Spanish Civil War.

Picasso was one of 250 sculptors participating in the Third International Sculpture Exhibition held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the summer of 1949. In the 1950s, the artist once again shifted his creative style, producing paintings inspired by classical masters such as Diego Velázquez, Goya, Poussin, Édouard Manet, Courbet, and Delacroix.

Paul Cézanne, a French painter, associated with Post-Impressionism, is considered a bridge between the 19th-century Impressionist style and the 20th-century Cubist movement. Cézanne is hailed as a masterful artist globally. His artworks command exceptionally high prices, with one valued at up to USD 250 million. Despite facing rejection from art critics and a modest life during his time, fellow artists held him in high regard, recognizing Paul Cézanne's profound influence on contemporary painters.

Though living only six years into the 20th century, Paul Cézanne was voted one of the ten greatest artists of the 20th century by The Times, UK, with 21,098 votes, just behind the renowned Pablo Picasso. He is a painter associated with the Impressionist movement, acknowledged as the bridge between 19th-century Impressionist and 20th-century Cubist, Fauvist, and Expressionist movements. Cézanne's significant influence ensured his name consistently appears in lists of the greatest artists of the century. His works showcase precision in design, color blending, and composition. Both Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse admitted that Cézanne was their artistic 'master.' Throughout his 40-year career, Cézanne left over 900 oil paintings, 400 watercolors, and many unfinished pieces.

Edouard Manet, a French painter, was one of the first artists to depict subjects related to modern life. He is considered a key figure in the transition from Realism to Impressionism. His early works, such as Le déjeuner sur l'herbe and Olympia, sparked significant controversy and are seen as foundations for the emergence of Impressionism later on - today, these works are regarded as milestones in the birth of modern art.

Edouard Manet was born into an aristocratic family. His father held a high position at the Court, and his mother was the goddaughter of the Kings of Sweden and Norway. According to the norms of that time, Manet was expected to follow his father's career path. However, fate had a different plan. While still in school, Manet had an ordinary academic record but showed exceptional talent and a sole interest – painting. Manet discovered his passion for art during his travels across Europe, having the opportunity to gain inspiration and practical experience that would later be evident in his works.

In 1848, upon completing high school, the young man chose his path: painting. However, this choice did not receive approval from his father. Edouard Manet twice attempted to enter the Naval Academy but was unsuccessful. His father eventually yielded, allowing him to pursue a career in painting. Manet's works were the first paintings to cause intense debates in the art world. Criticized by art critics and rejected by the establishment, Manet's paintings were metaphorically thrown to the slaughterhouse before the public. The clash over artistic styles culminated a few years later in the Impressionist movement. The heated debates reached their peak during the exhibition of the painting Déjeuner sur l’herbe (Luncheon on the Grass) and the painting Olympia.

Andy Warhol, an acclaimed American artist, excelled in the field of public art. He achieved success as a commercial illustrator, often painting modern, commercial themes and pioneering avant-garde filmmaking. He embraced various traditional mediums such as hand drawing, paintings, prints, silk screening, sculpture, cinema, music, shaping his artistic path. In 2009, The Economist described Warhol in an article as the “Market-maker of Art.”

After a successful career as a commercial illustrator, Warhol transitioned into a renowned artist, often sparking controversy. His art employed various mediums, including hand drawing, painting, printing, photography, silk screening, sculpture, cinema, and music. His studio, The Factory, became a famous gathering place, attracting intellectuals, bohemians, playwrights, Hollywood celebrities, and affluent personalities.

He managed and produced for The Velvet Underground, a rock band that significantly influenced the development of punk rock music. Warhol founded the magazine Interview and authored several books, including The Philosophy of Andy Warhol and Popism: The Warhol Sixties. He was also known as an openly gay man, living openly before the gay liberation movement, and credited with the widely used concept of '15 minutes of fame.'

Rembrandt, a versatile artist and a renowned printmaker from the Netherlands, significantly contributed to the Golden Age of his homeland in the 17th century. Besides his artistic achievements, he was also known for teaching most of the leading Dutch painters of his time. Rembrandt is regarded as one of the greatest painters in the Netherlands and Europe. He holds the highest position in the list of the greatest Dutch figures in history, organized by KRO in 2004.

Throughout the career of Rembrandt, three main themes prevailed: portraits, landscapes, and illustrations. In the art and religious circles of his time, he was considered a master of Bible illustration, capturing emotions and details vividly. His painting style evolved from soft, smooth strokes in the early stages to rougher ones, portraying the subject's emotions more intensely. Alongside advancements in painting techniques, Rembrandt made strides in etching and printing techniques. In later etchings, especially from the 1640s onwards, freedom and boldness were evident.

At the beginning of the 20th century, it was believed that the painter created around 600 completed paintings, nearly 400 prints, and about 2000 drawings. Recent studies from the 1960s onwards have presented a much-debated figure, reducing the number to around 300 paintings. Rembrandt created numerous self-portraits; initial studies suggested around 90, but it is now known that some of these were painted by his students as exercises. The number of self-portraits painted by Rembrandt himself is probably over 40, excluding a few paintings and 31 etchings.

Jackson Pollock, a renowned American artist, was a key figure in abstract expressionism. However, he met his demise during the peak of this movement in 1956. He gained fame for his peculiar paintings, notably the Autumn Rhythm No. 30, where he combined basic colors of brown, white, and black. Pollock aimed to convey emotions through the movement of forms rather than traditional color expression.

Throughout his life, Pollock was both famous and infamous. He stood as a prominent painter of his generation. Far from modest, he had a turbulent personality and struggled significantly with alcohol addiction. In 1945, he married the artist Lee Krasner, who became a crucial inspiration in his career and legacy. He passed away at the age of 44 in an alcohol-related solo car accident. In December 1956, four months after his death, a memorial exhibition was held at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Larger exhibitions of Pollock's work took place in 1967. In 1998 and 1999, his works were honored with exhibitions at MoMA and The Tate, London.

Renowned French artist Henri Matisse is celebrated for his mastery of color, fluidity, and exceptional painting skills. As a painter, sculptor, and graphic printmaker, Matisse is acknowledged as one of the most famous artists of the 20th century. He pioneered the wild beast movement, and in the 1920s, he elevated classical traditions in French painting. His talent in using expressive color language and distinctive painting abilities marked Henri Matisse as a leading figure in modern art.

Matisse continuously sought creative exploration, refusing to compromise his artistic ideals for more lucrative works. He delved into the study of artists representing the 'impressionist' movement, such as Cezanne and Van Gogh, absorbing the essence of their works to generate new creative power. Originally intended for a legal career by his family, Matisse abandoned law in 1891, enrolling himself in the School of Fine Arts and Gustave Moreau's studio. He was often found at the Louvre, captivated by the artworks and frequently copying paintings of master artists.

During the same period, Matisse ventured into outdoor painting with impressionist artists. He highly valued the creative essence of fellow artists' works and even purchased paintings from his peers. Notable among these acquisitions was Cézanne's 'The Bathers.' Starting in 1896, Matisse often painted still lifes and landscapes in the impressionist style, creating works like 'Luxuriance,' characterized by tranquility and joy. Signac acquired this painting when it was exhibited in the Independent Painting Room in 1905. In the same year, Matisse and some friends organized an exhibition that resonated strongly at the Autumn Exhibition. It was here that the name 'Wild Beast' emerged. American writer Gertrude Stein and Sergei Shchukin brought Matisse's fame to greater heights by collecting his paintings and writing commendatory reviews about him.

Painter Edgar Degas, born in 1834 in Paris, was the son of a wealthy banker. He studied Fine Arts in Paris, France, and in Italy, becoming a renowned artist in the impressionist movement alongside Vincent Van Gogh and Edouard Manet. Degas, particularly famous for his paintings, notably depicted young ballet dancers. One of these paintings is the oil painting titled 'The Dance Class,' where he sketched ballet girls from live models in his studio. Most of his works capture scenes of horse racing, theaters, cafes, music, or interiors. Degas often showcased a keen, aesthetically observant perspective on women. His themes depicted natural settings or poses inspired by photographic art.

Edgar Degas approached art in ways no artist had before. For instance, he captured the nuances of clothing, warm scenes with nude models, retained the wrinkles in the model's attire, or portrayed a ballet dancer scratching her back amidst rehearsals. The sculpture 'Little Dancer Aged Fourteen,' created by sculptor Edgar Degas, can be found at the National Gallery of Art. The original, cast in bronze after his death, was initially exhibited in 1881. It stirred controversy as it featured a wax model with a wig and a flowing ballet dress, deemed an unusual subject cast in a material unworthy of high art. Degas wasn't celebrated during his lifetime. Only after his death did people recognize the true genius of his work.