Surrealist artists, ranked
The most famous Surrealist artist is 프리다 칼로 (1907–1954), known for 프리다 칼로 - 두 프리다 and 비바 라 비다. Next come 살바도르 달리, 호안 미로, 르네 마그리트 and 막스 에른스트. This ranking of the 86 most famous Surrealist artists runs from Pierre Roy (born 1880) to 조지 콘도 (born 1957), across 42 countries.
How this list is ranked. Artists whose works our catalogue files under Surrealist, in the order of our fame ranking of artists. Artists without a Wikidata identifier born after 1955 are left out until verified. The Wikipedia figure next to each name is the number of our 32 languages in which Wikipedia has an article on the artist.
The essentials
Ranked, with their masterpieces
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프랑스계 미국인 Born in 파리 8구 초현실주의 Wikipedia in 26/32 languages
“북쪽을 향해 천천히(Slowly Toward The North)” (1942)와 같은 작품은 황량하면서도 묘하게 매혹적인 세계로 관람객을 끌어들이며 이러한 잊히지 않는 분위기를 잘 보여줍니다. 그의 회화는 서사를 전달하기보다 하나의 분위기, 즉 의미의 진술이라기보다는 감정의 환기 그 자체입니다.
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Born in 발라니쉬르테랭 Wikipedia in 21/32 languages
Beyond, Landscape with Rocks, The metamorphosis of the lovers, Pygmalion 과 같은 대표작들은 마송의 예술적 깊이와 독창성을 보여주는 증거입니다.
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Chilean Born in 산티아고 ['Surrealism', 'Abstract Expressionism'] Wikipedia in 15/32 languages
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독일계 유대인 Born in 오스나브뤼크 초현실주의, 신즉물주의 Wikipedia in 17/32 languages
Eyewitness 와 같은 다큐멘터리에 그의 이야기가 담긴 것은 역사의 가장 어두운 장을 목격한 예술가로서 그의 위치를 더욱 공고히 합니다.
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French Born in 6th arrondissement of Paris Surrealist Photography Wikipedia in 22/32 languages
She began her artistic journey formally at the École de Beaux-Arts and the Académie Julian in Paris, honing her skills in painting before gravitating towards photography. Collaboration with Kéfer and Cartier-Bresson: A pivotal moment arrived in 1930 when she joined forces with Pierre Kéfer, establishing a shared studio that became a hub for artistic experimentation. Political Activism: Her participation in demonstrations, convocations, and the signing of manifestos like ‘When Surrealists Were Right’ demonstrated her unwavering commitment to anti-fascist causes.
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미국인 Born in 뉴욕시 초현실주의, 아방가르드
줄리앙 레비 작가 페이지. 프리다 카흘로 (두 장의 접촉 인화지). 위키피디아: 줄리앙 레비.
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French Born in Lyon Surrealism
Initially destined for a musical career – his mother an amateur musician – Tabard’s early creative inclinations found expression in the intricate patterns of silk design at his father's factory. A pivotal moment arrived in 1914 when his father’s business necessitated a relocation to New York City, an event that irrevocably altered Tabard’s artistic trajectory. In 1951 Francis Quirk curated an exhibit of his work at Lehigh University along with photographs by Ansel Adams, demonstrating a recognition of Tabard's place within a broader artistic context.
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British Surrealism
His work established him as one of Scotland’s foremost landscape painters, blending the tangible reality of the natural world with the intangible whispers of the subconscious. The genesis of Jardine’s unique aesthetic was shaped by a diverse array of artistic impulses, ranging from the delicate precision of Indian miniature painting to the pioneering, fragmented approach of Max Ernst. The historical significance of George Wallace Jardine lies in his ability to bridge the gap between traditional landscape painting and the avant-garde surrealist movement.
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French Born in Nantes Surrealism
Cahun’s photographic work stands apart from its contemporaries. As Cahun herself stated, “The abstraction, the dream, are as limited for me as the concrete and the real.” This approach mirrored the broader surrealist preoccupation with accessing subconscious realms and challenging rational thought. She created clandestine photographs documenting the plight of refugees and prisoners of war—images imbued with compassion and defiance.
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American Photography, Surrealism
Frederick Sommer (1905 – 1999) stands as a singular figure in American photography and visual art, recognized for his hauntingly beautiful desert landscapes and his pioneering exploration of photographic techniques.
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Romanian-American Born in Râmnicu Sărat Modernist Cartooning Wikipedia in 17/32 languages
To encounter the work of Saul Steinberg is to step into a realm where the boundaries between thought and line, between reality and metaphor, begin to dissolve. He was a fixture in the prestigious galleries of New York, exhibiting alongside giants like Arshile Gorky and Robert Motherwell, yet he remained a beloved figure in the pages of mass-circulation periodicals.
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German Born in 카토비체 Surrealism, Photography Wikipedia in 15/32 languages
While primarily known for his dolls, Bellmer’s photographic work is equally significant. His photographs are characterized by a stark, almost clinical aesthetic, often employing unusual lighting and unsettling compositions. These images, published in his privately printed book Die Puppe (The Doll), were initially met with obscurity within Germany due to the artist’s deliberate isolation and the political climate.
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Born in Monmouth, New Jersey
McBean’s initial artistic pursuits lay in the realm of theatrical design. He began his career crafting masks and scenery, developing a keen eye for visual storytelling and dramatic presentation. McBean transitioned into full-time theatre photography, quickly establishing himself as a skilled chronicler of the British stage.
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Austrian-Mexican Born in Vienna Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism Wikipedia in 9/32 languages
His father, Gustav Robert Paalen, was a successful inventor – the mind behind innovations like the vacuum cleaner and Thermos bottle – whose own background blended Polish-Ashkenazi and Spanish-Sephardic heritage. Initial guidance came from German painter Leo von König, nurturing Paalen’s nascent talent and setting him on a path toward artistic expression. Wolfgang Paalen died in Taxco, Mexico, in 1959, leaving behind a body of work that continues to challenge and inspire.
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American Surrealist photography
His work also benefited from the influence of Edward Steichen, whose time at Vogue magazine provided Laughlin with valuable exposure and experience.
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Mexican Surrealist photography; Mexican muralism
Bravo’s artistic breakthrough arrived during the turbulent years following the Mexican Revolution (1910–1920). While he took art classes at the Academia Nacional de Bellas Artes, much of his photography was self-taught, driven by an internal compulsion to document the shifting Mexican identity. Throughout his career, which spanned from the late 1920s to the 1990s, he achieved numerous accolades, particularly after 1970, and his contributions were recognized by the inclusion of his work on UNESCO's Memory of the World International Register in 2017.
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Armenian, Ukrainian Born in Tbilisi Surrealism, Folklore
Sergei Parajanov, born Sarkis Hovsepi Parajaniants in Tbilisi, Georgia on January 9th, 1924, was more than just a filmmaker; he was a cultural architect, a visual poet, and a fiercely independent artist who profoundly shaped the landscape of world cinema. He is considered one of the 20 greatest film directors of all time, an honor bestowed upon him by the Rotterdam International Film Festival.
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Argentine-British Born in 부에노스아이레스 Surrealism Wikipedia in 9/32 languages
Eileen Forrester Agar, born in the vibrant city of Buenos Aires in 1899 to a Scottish father and American mother, was an artist whose life and work embodied a fascinating interplay of cultures and artistic movements. In 1988, she published her autobiography, A Look at My Life, offering invaluable insights into her creative process and the vibrant artistic milieu she inhabited.
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포르투갈 Born in 리스본 초현실주의, 시
National Theatre and Dance Museum. 포르투갈 리스본, 국립 극장 및 무용 박물관 (National Theatre and Dance Museum). 포르투갈 포르토, 북부 현대 미술 네트워크 (Rede Portuguesa de Arte Contemporânea a Norte).
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Hungarian Born in Kiskunfélegyháza Surrealism
Joining the Socialist Group of Artists in 1934 signaled her early engagement with politically charged themes, but it was her move to Szentendre in 1937 that proved pivotal.
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Born in Amadora 1920s Art Deco
His collaboration with Natália Correia on the renowned “Anthology of Erotic and Satirical Portuguese Poetry” in 1966 showcased his ability to seamlessly blend visual art with literary themes. The late 1960s brought further recognition, including a scholarship from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, which allowed him to dedicate himself fully to his artistic pursuits. Seixas’s artistic journey began in the fertile intellectual environment of António Arroio School, where he forged lasting friendships with key figures who would shape Portugal's cultural landscape: Mário Cesariny, Marcelino Vespeira, Júlio Pomar, and Fernando Azevedo.
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Brazilian Born in Sao Joao do Rio Preto Engraving and draughtsmanship
Influenced by Austrian artist Alfred Kubin and prominent Brazilian engravers Oswaldo Goeldi and Livio Abramo. These influences shaped his early style and thematic concerns. Unique Contribution to Brazilian Art: Grassmann made a significant contribution to Brazilian art through his innovative approach to engraving and draughtsmanship.
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American Born in Watervliet Surrealism Wikipedia in 11/32 languages
For a decade following her marriage to Italian Prince Ranieri di San Faustino in 1925, Sage largely abandoned painting, embracing the social obligations inherent in aristocratic life. The turning point arrived with her divorce in 1935 and subsequent move to Paris in 1937. A joint exhibition with Tanguy at the Wadsworth Atheneum in 1954 further solidified her reputation within artistic circles.
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German Born in Magdeburg Surrealism Wikipedia in 7/32 languages
As a painter, draftsperson, and graphic artist, Oelze was regarded as a significant figure in surrealism. One of his most important works is Die Erwartung (The Expectation, 1935/1936), which depicts a group of people with their backs to the observer, staring into an empty landscape.
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French Born in Nantes Surrealist Wikipedia in 7/32 languages
In 1905, he committed himself to painting, beginning his exhibition history in 1906 at the Salon of the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts (SNBA). A significant moment in his career occurred in 1925 when he participated in the first exhibition of surrealist painters alongside figures such as Giorgio de Chirico, Max Ernst, and Pablo Picasso.
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British Born in Shillong Surrealism, Occult art Wikipedia in 6/32 languages
In 1946, Colquhoun established a studio near Penzance, Cornwall, while maintaining a residence in London.
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Hungarian Born in Borota Expressionism, Surrealism Wikipedia in 8/32 languages
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French Born in Saint-Mandé Surrealism Wikipedia in 6/32 languages
Their connection was nothing short of cinematic—a romance ignited by the sight of Lamba performing as a nude underwater dancer at the Coliseum, an image that would forever haunt Breton’s memory. While historical narratives often relegated her to the role of the muse or the devoted spouse, Lamba was far more than a silent inspiration.
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Modern Art
Vlady’s artistic development has been marked by a consistent dedication to traditional oil painting techniques. This painstaking approach requires immense patience and skill, resulting in paintings that possess a tactile quality and an almost photographic realism. The influence of classical masters like Rembrandt and Vermeer is palpable – particularly in Vlady's masterful use of light and shadow to create dramatic effect and evoke a sense of intimacy.
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Australian
He works primarily through stippling, a method where images are rendered exclusively in pen and ink through the application of countless small dots. The concentration required to place each point allows for a quiet stillness, turning a repetitive motion into a means of managing internal noise.
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Argentine Born in Buenos Aires Expressionism, Surrealism Wikipedia in 5/32 languages
Raquel Forner (1902–1988) stands as a monumental figure in the landscape of Latin American modernism, an artist whose brushstrokes did not merely capture light, but rather channeled the profound tremors of a century defined by upheaval. Her legacy is characterized by several key artistic pillars: Technical Mastery: The use of heavy impasto and rich, emotive color palettes that give her subjects a sculptural, palpable presence.
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Australian Born in Adelaide Precisionism Wikipedia in 5/32 languages
Frank Jeffrey Edson Smart, known universally as Jeffrey Smart, emerged onto the Australian art scene from a childhood steeped in both encouragement and constraint. Though initially drawn to the precision of architecture, financial realities steered him toward teacher training, a path that nonetheless allowed him to continue developing his artistic skills at the South Australian School of Arts and Crafts. A subsequent period on the island of Ischia in 1950, shared with fellow Australian painters Donald Friend, Michael Shannon, and Jacqueline Hick, further solidified his artistic direction.
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English Born in Ledbury Surrealism Wikipedia in 4/32 languages
He rejected traditional painting methods, embracing collage, frottage, and decalcomania—techniques that allowed for chance encounters and the emergence of unexpected forms. The influence of psychoanalysis, particularly the theories of Sigmund Freud, is evident in his exploration of hidden desires and repressed emotions. Conroy Maddox died in London in 2005 at the age of 92, leaving behind a remarkable body of work that continues to captivate and inspire.
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English Born in 베이징시 Surrealist Wikipedia in 2/32 languages
Throughout his career, Hillier remained a steadfast practitioner of surrealism, even as his travels took him across France and Spain before he eventually settled in Somerset, England.
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Spanish Born in Pontevedra Abstract Expressionist Wikipedia in 5/32 languages
Castillo's artistic trajectory began with a formal education in drawing at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, a crucial period that exposed him to the revolutionary currents of Surrealism. Returning to Spain in 1955, he settled in Barcelona, a city that would become inextricably linked to his artistic identity.
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Canadian Born in Saskatchewan Abstract Figurative, Prairie Landscape Wikipedia in 3/32 languages
His early life, marked by moves across the prairies—from Red Deer, Alberta, to Saskatoon—instilled in him an intimate understanding of the land’s character: its solitude, its ever-changing light, and its capacity for both beauty and starkness. This formative connection would become the bedrock of his artistic expression. Notably, nine of his sculptures are prominently displayed in the McMichael Sculpture Garden in Kleinburg, Ontario, and others grace Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg, enriching public spaces with his distinctive aesthetic.
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웨일스인 Born in 던바트 초현실주의, 표현주의 Wikipedia in 2/32 languages
“피아노 치는 소녀”(1949) 는 그의 입체주의적 성향을 잘 보여주는 작품으로, 각진 형태와 인상적인 색채가 파편화되면서도 조화로운 구성을 이룹니다. “두 명의 음악가”(1954) 는 연주 현장의 에너지가 폭발하는 듯하며, 오렌지빛 색조와 역동적인 붓터치는 음악성의 본질을 포착해냅니다.
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American Born in Richmond Surrealism, Realism Wikipedia in 3/32 languages
Simultaneously, Cortor’s dedication to positive portrayals of African Americans was nurtured by his avid readership of The Chicago Defender, a newspaper dedicated to celebrating Black achievements.
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British Wikipedia in 4/32 languages
Her work has been featured in group exhibitions at the Tate Modern, the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. In 2017, she was honored with the Paul Hamlyn Foundation Award. Her performance art has included works such as The Ultimate Form, a collaboration with choreographer Kenneth Tindall, and Children of the Stain.
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Spanish Born in Torre de Miguel Sesmero New Figuration Wikipedia in 3/32 languages
His early paintings often featured fragmented figures and dreamlike landscapes, hinting at a subconscious world grappling with themes of isolation, memory, and the anxieties of war. He began to move away from purely representational forms, embracing abstraction as a means of conveying more complex emotional states. The shadow of Pablo Picasso loomed large over Spanish art during Barjola’s formative years, but rather than imitation, Picasso's example spurred him toward originality.
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Spanish Born in Milan Catalan Modernisme Wikipedia in 1/32 languages
Emilio Tadini was far more than a painter; he was a profound architect of meaning within the Italian cultural landscape. Born in Milan in 1927, his journey began not with a brush, but with the written word. A poet, novelist, and essayist, Tadini first emerged onto the prestigious literary stage in 1947 through Elio Vittorini's magazine, Politecnico.
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Catalan Born in 올레사 데 발라게르 Surrealism, Non-figurative Wikipedia in 1/32 languages
(Note: The source text provided for translation contains an H1 tag at the beginning which was not requested to be translated but is part of the structure.
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Born in Chicago World Goes Pop Wikipedia in 1/32 languages
Lanyon’s early work focused on intimate portraits of relatives and the spaces they inhabited – quiet studies imbued with a sense of psychological depth. However, this focus gradually shifted towards more fantastical compositions, populated by animal, vegetal, and floral motifs arranged in dreamlike scenarios. In the 1970s, Lanyon’s move to New York brought her into contact with the feminist art collective Heresies, further broadening her intellectual and artistic horizons.
The paintings behind the names
Through time
In figures
All of them, in order
프리다 칼로멕시코 · 1907–1954
살바도르 달리스페인 · 1904–1989
호안 미로스페인 · 1893–1983
르네 마그리트벨기에 · 1898–1967
막스 에른스트독일 · 1891–1976
조르조 데 키리코이탈리아 · 1888–1978
H.R. 기거스위스 · 1940–2014
즈지스와프 벡신스키폴란드 · 1929–2005
맨 레이미국인 · 1890–1976
알베르토 자코메티스위스 · 1901–1966
레메디오스 바로스페인-멕시코 · 1908–1963
리어노라 캐링턴영국-멕시코 · 1917–2011이브 탕기프랑스계 미국인 · 1900–1955
도러시아 태닝미국인 · 1910–2012
레오노르 피니아르헨티나-이탈리아 · 1907–1996앙드레 마송1896–1987
메레트 오펜하임스위스-독일 · 1913–1985
윌프레도 람쿠바인 · 1902–1982
빅토르 브라우너루마니아-프랑스 · 1903–1966로베르토 마타Chilean · 1911–2002펠릭스 누스바움독일계 유대인 · 1904–1944
조셉 코넬미국인 · 1903–1972
에른스트 푸흐오스트리아 · 1930–2015
폴 델보벨기에 · 1897–1994Dora MaarFrench · 1907–1997
엘사 스키아파렐리이탈리아 · 1890–1973
폴 내쉬영국 · 1889–1946
루이스 로요스페인 · born 1954줄리앙 레비미국인 · 1906–1981
짐 워렌미국인 · born 1949
마이클 파크스미국인 · born 1944Maurice TabardFrench · 1897–1984George Wallace JardineBritish · 1920–2002
그레이엄 서덜랜드영국 · 1903–1980Claude CahunFrench · 1894–1954
올렉산드르 악시닌1949–1985
옥타비오 오캄포멕시코인 · born 1943Frederick SommerAmerican · 1905–1999Saul SteinbergRomanian-American · 1914–1999
루이지 세라피니이탈리아 · born 1949
오스카 도밍게스1906–1957한스 벨머German · 1902–1975
마이클 소와독일 · born 1945
야첵 예르카born 1952Angus Rowland Mcbean1904–1990Wolfgang PaalenAustrian-Mexican · 1905–1959Clarence John LaughlinAmerican · 1905–1985
빌헬름 프레디덴마크 · 1909–1995Manuel Álvarez BravoMexican · 1902–2002Sergei ParajanovArmenian, Ukrainian · 1924–1990Eileen AgarArgentine-British · 1899–1991
조지 콘도미국인 · born 1957마리우 세자리니 드 바스콘셀루스포르투갈 · 1923–2006Piroska SzantoHungarian · 1913–1998Artur Cruzeiro Seixas1920–2020
파벨 체릴리체프러시아 태생 · 1898–1957Marcelo GrassmannBrazilian · 1925–2013
마리아 이스키에르도 로드리게스멕시코 · 1902–1955Kay SageAmerican · 1898–1963
술 솔라아르헨티나 · 1887–1963Richard OelzeGerman · 1900–1980
헤다 스턴루마니아계 미국인 · 1910–2011Pierre RoyFrench · 1880–1950Ithell ColquhounBritish · 1906–1988
프란시스코 톨레도멕시코 · 1940–2019마르기트 안나Hungarian · 1913–1991Jacqueline LambaFrench · 1910–1993Vlady1920–2005Caleb LewisAustralian · Raquel FornerArgentine · 1902–1988
루보 크리스텍체코 · born 1943
제임스 글리슨호주인 · 1915–2008
줄리안 트레블리언영국 · 1910–1988Jeffrey SmartAustralian · 1921–2013Conroy MaddoxEnglish · 1912–2005트리스트람 폴 힐리어English · 1905–1983
죄르지 로만헝가리 · 1903–1977Jorge CastilloSpanish · born 1933Ivan EyreCanadian · 1935–2022세리 리처즈웨일스인 · 1903–1971Eldzier CortorAmerican · 1916–2015Linder SterlingBritish · born 1954Juan BarjolaSpanish · 1919–2004Emilio TadiniSpanish · 1927–2002레안드르 크리스톨 이 페랄바Catalan · 1908–1998Ellen Lanyon1926–2013Your questions, answered
Most artists in this list were born in the 1900s (29 of 86), between 1880 and 1957 overall.
The earliest-born artist in this list is Pierre Roy (#63), born in 1880.
부에노스아이레스: 2 of the artists in this list were born there.
미국: 7 of the 86 artists in this list were born there, then 스페인 (6) and 영국 (5).
The museums holding the most key works of this list are 뉴욕 현대 미술관 (8), 이스라엘 박물관 (7) and 메트로폴리탄 미술관 (3).
Our catalogue holds 8,974 works by these artists.
Keep reading
Other movements
Famous Baroque artists밤의 망루 (De Nachtwacht) · 렘브란트
Famous Contemporary Realist artists이삭 줍는 사람들 · 장프랑수아 밀레
Famous Impressionist artists별이 빛나는 밤 (뉴욕, MoMA) · 빈센트 반 고흐
Famous Romanticist artists토성, 그의 아들을 잡아먹는 중 · 프란시스코 데 고야
Famous Neoclassicist artistsThe Death of Marat · 자크루이 다비드
Famous Realist artists세계의 기원 · 귀스타브 쿠르베
Famous Renaissance artists모나리자 (라 죠콘다) · 레오나르도 다 빈치
Famous Dutch Golden Age artists진주 귀걸이를 한 소녀 · 요하네스 페르메이르
Famous Expressionist artists구성 VII · 바실리 칸딘스키
Famous Rococo artists사랑의 교훈 · 앙투안 바토Other periods
Famous Early Medieval artistsSnowy River · Wang Wei
Famous High Medieval artists마에스타의 마돈나 (오니산티 마돈나) · 조토 디 본도네
Famous Late Medieval artists수태고지와 두 성인 · 시모네 마르티니
Famous Renaissance artists아담의 창조 · 미켈란젤로 부오나로티
Famous Early Modern artists마태오의 부르심 · 카라바조
Famous 19th Century artists수련 (또는 연꽃) · 클로드 모네
Famous Modern artists게르니카 · 파블로 피카소
Famous Contemporary artistsWind Sculpture III (one in a series of nine) · Yinka ShonibareMore rankings
