The wardens of the company had complained in 1607 that the 'true practise of the Art & Mystery of Goldsmithry is not only grown into great decays but also dispersed into many parts, so as now very few workmen are able to finish & perfect a piece of plate singularly with all the garnishings & parts thereof without the help of many & several hands.'. The workhouse had been set up as part of a tightening of standards after the company became concerned that the level of skill of goldsmithing was being diluted. In London, in the 17th century, the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, for instance, required an apprentice to produce a masterpiece under their supervision at a 'workhouse' in Goldsmiths' Hall. Great care was therefore taken to produce a fine piece in whatever the craft was, whether confectionery, painting, goldsmithing, knifemaking, leatherworking, or many other trades. His fitness to qualify for guild membership was judged partly by the masterpiece, and if he was successful, the piece was retained by the guild. Originally, the term masterpiece referred to a piece of work produced by an apprentice or journeyman aspiring to become a master craftsman in the old European guild system. They would have to produce a masterpiece to become masters at the end of their apprenticeships. Image via Creative Commons.Federico Zuccari, Two Painter's Apprentices, 1609. Goya's Saturn Devouring His Son is held in the Museo del Prado in Madrid.įeatured image: Francisco Goya - Saturn Devouring His Son, c. Interestingly, around 1796–97, Goya made a chalk drawing of the same subject in a much subtler manner than the later work. After Goya's death, Saturn Devouring His Son was transferred to canvas along with thirteen other works. This painting belongs to the famous Black Paintings the legendary Spanish master executed on the walls of his estate Quinta del Sordo between 18. In an effort to prevent this from happening, Cronus devoured each of his children as soon as they were born. Image via Creative Commons.įrancisco Goya made Saturn Devouring His Son based on the Greek myth of the Titan Cronus or Saturn, who, in an attempt to secure his reign, devoured his children. According to the myth, Cronus was warned by his parents that one of his own children would eventually overthrow him, just as he had overthrown his own father. Oil on poplar panel, 77 cm × 53 cm (30 in × 21 in). Interestingly, Leonardo da Vinci kept the painting for himself, leaving it to his apprentice Salaì after he died in 1519.ĭa Vinci's Mona Lisa has been held in Louvre in Paris since 1797.įeatured image: Leonardo da Vinci – Mona Lisa, c. 1503–1506, perhaps continuing until c. 1517. Some have even suggested that Mona Lisa can be interpreted as a profane representation of the Virgin Mary. The enigmatic smile of the woman in this famous da Vinci's portrait, identified as Lisa del Gioconda, led scholars to believe that she was an expecting mother at the time painting was made. It is a seminal work of the Italian Renaissance that still captivates visitors of the Louvre museum, who must navigate through crowded galleries and long lines in order to catch a glimpse of the painting. Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa is definitely the most famous portrait in the world, if not the most iconic artwork ever made. Oil on canvas, 490 cm × 716 cm (16 ft 1 in × 23 ft 6 in). Here's where to see them worldwide!įeatured image: Théodore Géricault - The Raft of the Medusa, 1818–19. We have selected some of the most famous art masterpieces that have significantly impacted the course of art history. Their legacy endures for generations, inspiring artists and viewers and providing insights into the evolution of art and culture over time. Valued for their aesthetic qualities, such as beauty, emotional impact, and originality, as well as their historical, cultural, and social context, these works can have a profound impact on individuals and society, shaping our perceptions, beliefs, and values.

Art masterpieces are a constant reminder of the greatness of our civilization, and regardless of the cultural, social, and political changes, these masterful works of art still captivate the eyes of many. From Rijksmuseum to Louvre, the crowds stand patiently to see the wonders of human artistic creation.

Art master pieces