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The 10 most-referenced paintings ever

J.J. McCullough | June 10, 2026



A look at 10 iconic pieces of art they say you should know. This video is sponsored by big gallery, use promo code JJMCC10 to get 10% a “Great Artist” figure! https://www.biggallery.com/collections/jjmcc

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Written by J.J. McCullough

Comments

This post currently has 24 comments.

  1. @briangoldberg4439

    June 10, 2026 at 3:38 am

    I don't exactly get Mondrian as abstract actually. I know he gets lumped in with that, but I feel like abstract means that it is an "abstraction" of something figurative. To me, it's more along the lines of "non-figurative" art. Geometric patterns and shapes are representative in their own right, especially when they are not an abstraction of a form.

  2. @Tony_Bob5

    June 10, 2026 at 3:38 am

    One I'm surprised didn't make the list that nobody else in the comments has mentioned is "Tournee du Chat Noir" aka "Tour of the Black Cat", by Theophile Steinlen — arguably the most famous work of Art Nouveau. Seems like there's a parody of that piece themed to every fandom that has a small creature capable of sitting and looking towards the viewer.

  3. @TheBrunohusker

    June 10, 2026 at 3:38 am

    Kind of surprised American Gothic didn’t make it. Granted as an Iowa resident I’m kind of required to say that as Grant Wood was from here. Maybe it’s too kitschy though.

  4. @wofi784

    June 10, 2026 at 3:38 am

    This definitely deserves a sequel! To name a few: Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (featured behind you!), Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans or Marilyn Monroe, Hokusai's The Great Wave off Kanagawa, Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam, Grant Wood's American Gothic, Rockwell's Freedom from Want, Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People, Manet's A Bar at the Folies-Bergère, are just some off the top of my head.

  5. @ryanmoore4130

    June 10, 2026 at 3:38 am

    I would love a Canadian version of this, I'm currently using a Maud Lewis calendar. She is among the few visual artists with a biopic movie about her life. Which could be another interesting qualifier for a list like this

  6. @nicksmeltzer3511

    June 10, 2026 at 3:38 am

    Good video, but i belive you research must of missed the last supper (dinner). Because it's clearly the most commonly referenced work in history. Likely due to Christianity's spread.

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