10 Most Famous Portraits In The World

10 Most Famous Portraits In The World

Long before the days of 'selfies' and phones with inbuilt cameras, it was quite a privilege to have your portrait painted. Some portrait paintings have stuck it out through history and stood the test of time, still being instantly recognizable today. Some of these models had to sit for hours while their likenesses were created using paint, a process which often took months - even years. The next time you take a self-portrait, remember these paintings and be thankful that you don't have to sit still for as long as they did!

1. Portrait Of Adele Bloch-Bauer I

Painter: Gustav Klimt

Gustav Klimt painted two pictures of his good friend Adele Bloch-Bauer; this is the first and the most famous. It was finished over 100 years ago in 1907, but during the time of the war the Nazis came and whisked it away. What would Hitler have thought if he'd known that this very same painting would become so famous and popular today?

2. Portrait Of Queen Elizabeth I

Painter: George Gower

Having your portrait painted is par for the course when it comes to being a monarch - by looking at paintings we can document and trace kings and queens dating back thousands of years. One of England's most famous queens was Queen Elizabeth I (the second daughter and middle child of King Henry VIII). Aside from her outrageous approach to ruling, it's this portrait that has made her famous. Oh, that and her rather fabulous neck-wear.

3. Marilyn Diptych

Painter: Andy Warhol

As if Marilyn Monroe wasn't famous enough already, her face has now become even more familiar thanks to Andy Warhol. This pop art print of the Hollywood starlet has been reproduced so many times that it has crept its way into popular culture. Bright colors mixed with radiant beauty mean that without a doubt this is one of the most famous portraits of all time.

4. Mona Lisa

Painter: Leonardo da Vinci

Perhaps the most famous face in the world, the Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the very early part of the 16th Century. It's sometimes referred to as La Gioconda, because the woman depicted is believed to be Lisa Gherardini - Francesco del Giocondo's wife. This is one of the most famous paintings - let along just portraits - that is recognized the world over. However, one of the most curious aspects of this portrait that many people don't realize is that she doesn't have any discernable eyebrows!

5. Terentius Neo And His Wife (Pompeii)

Painter: Unknown

This is the infamous portrait of Terentius Neo and his wife. Amazingly, this portrait was discovered during the excavations of the Roman city of Pompeii - it's estimated that this fresco was painted over 2,000 years ago! The man in this picture was a baker, but his family must have been pretty smart - their scrolls and writing implements suggest that they were actually quite well educated. Who knows what this average baking couple would have made of their faces being so familiar all around the world all these years later!

6. Portrait Of Dr Gachet

Painter: Vincent van Gogh

You might not know this painting by name, but you'll probably recognize it by sight! Far from being an average painting of a bored-looking man, this painting actually has an interesting background story to it. Dr Gachet was a medical doctor who cared for van Gogh during the last few weeks of his life. He also treated several other influential Impressionist painters, as well - as a result, his face pops up a number of times in famous works of art! This painting - of which there are two versions - is by far the most well known.

7. Self-Portrait With Bandaged Ear

Painter: Vincent van Gogh

Instead of taking the time to try to sort his life out like anyone else would, after cutting off his own ear, Vincent van Gogh decided to paint a self-portrait. That's pretty much the 1889 version of taking a selfie after self-mutilation! Despite the somewhat bizarre nature of this painting's subject matter, it has gone on to become one of the most famous portraits of all time.

8. The Green Stripe (aka Portrait Of Madame Matisse)

Painter: Henri Matisse

This portrait shows the likeness of Madame Amélie Matisse-Parayre - the artist's wife herself. It's easy to see how the painting earned its title of The Green Stripe; her entire nose has been replaced by a whacking great green streak. I wonder: if Madame Matisse had known the notoriety that her face would achieve, would she be any happier with what is really quite an unflattering image?

9. The Arnolfini Portrait

Painter: Jan van Eyck

Dutch artist Jan van Eyck's painting featuring the wedding of Giovanni Arnolfini and his wife is very famous - and also incredibly alluring. Considering that the portrait was painted way back in 1434, it's easy to see the artist's tremendous skill. Art historians have picked this work of art because of all the symbolism and impressive perspective that can be seen within.

10. Girl With A Pearl Earring

Painter: Johannes Vermeer

This absolutely beautiful portrait was thrust into the limelight with the release of the 2003 film of the same name. It starred the equally as gorgeous Scarlett Johansson as the girl in the painting, alongside the artist (played by Colin Firth). Little is known about the girl herself or how she came to model for a painting, but her large, piercing brown eyes have captured the world's attention, with a book and a play also focused around the same subject.