Buzz
Ah, Mytour. Recently, I shared a list titled ‘Top Ten Terrifying Paintings by Renowned Artists,’ and honestly, I was bracing for a storm of criticism. Instead, the feedback was thoughtful and encouraging. Admittedly, the title was a bit over-the-top (I can't help my obsession with alliteration), and I missed several iconic paintings. So here’s an updated list, featuring some of the paintings mentioned in the comments of my previous post. Thanks to everyone who contributed—I’m sure there are still some gems I overlooked, so apologies if your favorite wasn’t included.
10. Diomedes Consumed by His Horses Gustave Moreau
In the tales of Heracles' twelve labors, his eighth task involves stealing the mares of Diomedes, King of Thrace. At first, this might seem like an easy feat for the son of a god, but these horses are no ordinary creatures—they’re man-eaters. In an unfortunate turn of events, Heracles leaves the horses in the care of his companion, who ends up being killed and devoured by the beasts. To punish Diomedes for breeding such monstrous animals, Heracles forces the king to meet his end by feeding him to the very horses he raised. This gruesome event is the focus of Moreau’s painting, where Heracles observes the bloody scene with chilling detachment. Moreau, known for his symbolist interpretations of mythological and biblical stories, captures none more brutal than this one.
9. The Nightmare by John Fuseli
Upon its debut, Fuseli's painting became instantly famous for its unsettling depiction of the nightmare that haunts one's sleep. So widely acclaimed was the painting that Fuseli created several versions. One of them can be seen here. The piece blurs the boundaries between sleep and dream, presenting both the sleeper in slumber and the dream world she experiences. The incubus, a male demon who seduces women during their sleep, sitting on the sleeper's chest stirred controversy with its sexual undertones. However, the painting's popularity triumphed over the criticism, leading to numerous engravings and its widespread use in Georgian and Victorian satirical cartoons.
8. The Water Ghost by Alfred Kubin
I must admit that Kubin was left out of my earlier list due to a regrettable oversight, a mistake driven by pure ignorance. Although I had heard his name, I had never properly explored his work. Kubin's artistic focus primarily lies in the symbolist and expressionist movements, with his most recognized pieces being watercolors and pen-and-ink illustrations. While his oil paintings are few, this particular piece gives a glimpse into his eerie style. Some of his illustrations are even more unsettling, but for this list, I’ve limited myself to paintings, and this one would certainly disturb me if I woke up to it in the morning. If you're searching for another reason to appreciate Kubin, his art was condemned as 'degenerate' by the Nazis.
7. Judith Beheading Holofernes by Artemisia Gentileschi
In a previous list, I included Caravaggio's interpretation of this scene, and I still believe it's a powerful, terrifying piece. However, this time, it is Artemisia Gentileschi’s version that earns a spot. Gentileschi's life was fascinating in its own right, and some of the strength of character seen in the Biblical Judith is reflected in Gentileschi herself. This painting, which draws from the naturalistic style and violent energy of Caravaggio, offers a more grounded portrayal of the decapitation. Unlike Caravaggio’s Judith, who remains unreadable, Gentileschi’s Judith radiates determination. Holofernes’ expression in this version seems more like a surprised man caught in a drunken stupor. Both versions are celebrated, but neither would be my choice to hang above a dining table.
6. Hands Resist Him by Bill Stoneham
In 2000, this artwork became a viral sensation when it was listed for sale on eBay. The sellers claimed that the children in the painting would mysteriously move during the night, sometimes even vanishing from the frame. The website linked here provides close-up photos that highlight some eerie details of the piece. Notably, the children are depicted without eyes, and one of the most unsettling elements is the small hands pressed up against the door's glass behind them. The artist later painted a sequel, envisioning these characters decades after this scene.
5. Picture of Dorian Gray by Ivan Albright
Ivan Albright, an artist known for his magical realist style, crafted works that were anything but whimsical. Instead, magical realism in his art focused on presenting the interior 'truth' of the object, a style perfectly suited for the subject matter of this painting. The Picture of Dorian Gray, from Oscar Wilde's novel, portrays how the sins of a young man manifest in his portrait rather than on his own body. This specific painting was created for the 1945 MGM film adaptation of Wilde's work, where the portrait transforms throughout the movie to mirror the degeneration of the young man's soul.
4. Pogo the Clown by John Wayne Gacy
Fortunately, my previous list carried the phrase 'by great artists' in the title, which helped me exclude figures like Gacy. Sadly, that filter doesn't apply here. John Wayne Gacy, infamously known as one of America's most notorious serial killers, was convicted of murdering at least 33 young men and teenage boys. During his time awaiting execution, Gacy turned to art as a way to pass the time. This particular painting depicts Gacy in his clown persona, Pogo. Gacy once used this character to entertain children in his community. The artwork itself isn't remarkable, but its unsettling nature is amplified by the horrific knowledge of Gacy's crimes. Notice how the corners of his mouth are sharply pointed—an intentional choice, as most clowns avoid this feature due to its tendency to trigger coulrophobia in viewers.
3. Guernica by Pablo Picasso
On April 26th, 1937, German aircraft, under the command of Spanish nationalists, carried out a devastating bombing of the town of Guernica. News of the Germans violating their non-intervention pact in the Spanish Civil War spread almost immediately. In response, the Spanish Republicans commissioned Picasso to create a mural for the Paris World’s Fair, depicting the bombing to raise awareness of the attack. From its first exhibition, the painting has symbolized the brutality and suffering of war. The intense black and white forms on the massive canvas capture moments of intense despair. One of the most poignant scenes is on the far left, where a woman screams in agony while holding a dead child. This image evokes comparisons to the Pieta, though the raw humanity of the scene adds a deeper level of tragedy.
A tapestry reproduction of Picasso’s Guernica now hangs in the United Nations building as a haunting reminder of the horrors of war. During the lead-up to the Iraq War in 2003, this tapestry was covered by a blue curtain. Officially, this was done to prevent the painting's bold lines from distracting those giving press conferences in front of it.
2. Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion by Francis Bacon
Bacon is renowned for his unsettling artwork, particularly his triptychs. Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion is widely regarded as Bacon’s first masterpiece. The three figures were initially meant to be placed beneath a grand depiction of the crucifixion, yet they stand powerfully on their own. Drawing inspiration from various sources, including the furies of Greek mythology, the figures in a Grunewald triptych, and the film Battleship Potemkin, their twisted faces seem to mirror the jeering crowd mocking Jesus on his way to execution. Unlike many of Bacon’s works, which are now hidden away in private collections, this piece is on display at Tate Britain. Bacon later revisited this composition, creating a larger, near-identical version. However, this later painting lacks the unsettling impact of the original, as it is the flatness of the first works that contributes to their disturbing effect.
1. The Scream by Edvard Munch
Edvard Munch’s The Scream stands as a haunting symbol of emotional turmoil, capturing the raw intensity of human anxiety in a way that resonates with viewers on a deep, universal level.
