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Masterworks

The world's masterworks, explained clearly — what they depict and how to read them, at a glance.

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Mona LisaMona LisaLeonardo da Vinci · Louvre MuseumThe Starry NightThe Starry NightVincent van Gogh · Museum of Modern Art, New York (MoMA)Girl with a Pearl EarringGirl with a Pearl EarringJohannes Vermeer · MauritshuisThe ScreamThe ScreamEdvard Munch · National Museum of NorwayThe KissThe KissGustav Klimt · Belvedere MuseumThe Birth of VenusThe Birth of VenusSandro Botticelli · Uffizi GalleryThe Night WatchThe Night WatchRembrandt van Rijn · RijksmuseumLiberty Leading the PeopleLiberty Leading the PeopleEugène Delacroix · Louvre MuseumA Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande JatteA Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande JatteGeorges Seurat · Art Institute of ChicagoLas MeninasLas MeninasDiego Velázquez · Museo del PradoThe Third of May 1808The Third of May 1808Francisco Goya · Museo del PradoUnder the Wave off KanagawaUnder the Wave off KanagawaKatsushika Hokusai · Metropolitan Museum of Art (and others)Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I (Woman in Gold)Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I (Woman in Gold)Gustav Klimt · Neue Galerie New YorkPortrait of Elisabeth LedererPortrait of Elisabeth LedererGustav Klimt · Private collection (sold at Sotheby's, 2025)The Taking of ChristThe Taking of ChristCaravaggio · National Gallery of Ireland (on indefinite loan from the Jesuits)Ecce HomoEcce HomoCaravaggio · On view at Museo del Prado (private collection, export banned)The Martyrdom of Saint UrsulaThe Martyrdom of Saint UrsulaCaravaggio · Gallerie d'Italia, Naples (Intesa Sanpaolo)

Last updated 2026-07-17

Commentary is independently edited from public sources such as Smarthistory (CC BY-NC-SA); images are public domain. Sources are credited on each work's page.