Having personal space that feels uniquely you is essential to be able to relax and unwind. An important part of making your space you is having art on the walls that expresses who are, but it can be hard to find prints that aren’t hanging in everyone’s rooms.
VALLEY wants to make sure your personal retreat is unlike any other, so here are some art suggestions based on your favorite mega-famous masterpiece.
School of Athens
Raphael’s “School of Athens” is a Renaissance masterpiece that nearly everyone has seen. The painting, completed between 1509 and 15011, represents the greatest thinkers of the antiquity sharing their ideas under one roof.
If you like “School of Athens,” “Ancient Rome,” painted in 1757 by Giovanni Paolo Panini, has many similar characteristics and is much less well known. Both paintings use perspective to represent deep space and intricate architectural elements, creating airy and bright compositions.
Also check out other Italian Renaissance artists such as Gentile da Fabriano, Titian and Sandro Botticelli.
The Great Wave
“Under the Wave off Kanagawa,” more popularly known as “The Great Wave,” by Katshushika Hokusai is one of the most famous paintings in the world. Unsurprisingly, it is also an incredibly common find at poster sales.
If you are a fan of “The Great Wave,” as so many others are, there is a good chance that you will like Kawase Hasui’s work as well. Hasui is a modern, Japanese printmaker with a plethora of works to choose from, many of which are similar to “The Great Wave” in content and style.
Also check out other Japanese artists such as Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Yokoyama Taikan and Hasegawa Tohaku.
The Starry Night
“The Starry Night” is not only Vincent van Gogh’s most well known work, but also one of the most iconic paintings in history. This 1889, post-impressionist masterpiece has been plastered on the walls of college apartments for years, and understandably so. The swirling array of colors and brushstrokes makes for a mesmerizing work of art.
Paul Cézanne is one of the most influential painters of all time. His impressionist artwork influenced generations of artists after him. However, despite his fame, his work is less widely recognized than the works of Van Gogh. The above painting, “Mont Saint-Victoire,” is just one example of his wide breadth of work.
Also check out other Impressionist artists such as Camille Pissarro, Édouard Manet and Marie Bracquemond.
The Persistence of Memory
Salvador Dalí is arguably the most well known surrealist of all time, and “The Persistence of Memory,” painted in 1931, is certainly his most well known work. Dalí’s mind-bending compositions are unique; however, there are still artists who work with similar styles, techniques and subject matters.
“Extinction of Useless Lights,” painted by Yves Tanguy in 1927, resembles “The Persistence of Memory” closely. Both works feature barren landscapes, ominous figures and ambiguous subject matter. Along with “Extinction of Useless Lights,” Tanguy has an array of works that Dalí fans are sure to appreciate.
Also check out other Surrealist artists such as Sharon Haskell, André Masson and Khan Nova.
Dance I
Henri Matisse’s 1909 painting “Dance I” is a joyful and simplified fauvist artwork. It is not hard to understand why so many people adore the painting and decide to decorate their homes with it — it merges childhood playfulness with the refined nature of adulthood.
Othon Friesz captures the same mixture of childhood and maturity as Matisse in his painting, “La Ciotat.” His work, impressionist or fauvist in style, depending on the time period, is sure to appeal to Matisse fans.
Also check out other Fauvist artists such as Henri Manguin, Georges Braque and André Derain.
Nighthawks
Edward Hopper’s 1942 painting, “Nighthawks” is an icon of American art. The work is cold, yet inviting, empty, yet communal — it is an intriguing juxtaposition in every way. It is a portrait of American city life, and therefore, understandably, a popular choice of decoration.
Ralph Goings was a photorealist who painted scenes of everyday, American life. This specific painting mirrors the content of “Nighthawks” closely; however, much of Goings’ work would appeal to audiences of Hopper.
Also check out other American artists such as Norman Rockwell, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Mark Rothko.
Inspired? Tag us on Instagram, @VALLEYmag, with pics of your new room decor!
