Paintings That Changed the Course of History Pablo Picasso Unsplash
Credit: Unsplash

Artwork, especially paintings, not only is an expression of the creator, but it also has a way of changing its surroundings, like these paintings that changed the course of history. From well-known artists like Leonardo da Vinci to more modern artists like Jeff Koons, these are the best paintings that changed the course of history.

5. Studies of the Foetus in the Womb by Leonardo da Vinci

Studies of the foetus in the womb Leonardo da Vinci Wiki Commons
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While the world cherishes Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, another one of the paintings that changed the course of history is his Studies of the Foetus in the Womb, which are anatomical drawings that challenged moral and artistic conventions.

Related: Most Expensive Paintings Ever Sold

4. Balloon Dog by Jeff Koons

Balloon Dog by Jeff Koons The Contemporary Art at Versailles
The Contemporary Art at Versailles

While more modern, Jeff Koons’ Ballon Dog is a great example of creating a piece of artwork that is manufactured at a large scale. The piece captured the idea of when art stops being art and becomes marketing or advertising, changing the way we see modern art.

Check Out: Famous Paintings of Women and the History Behind Them

3. Guernica by Pablo Picasso

Guernica by Pablo Picasso Wiki Commons
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Pablo Picasso’s Guernica depicts the overnight bombing of the Spanish city of Guernica in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War. Picasso was commissioned by the Spanish Republican government to create a piece, in which became a symbol of anti-war movements.

Read More: Most Expensive Paintings Ever Sold

2. Galloping Horse by Eadweard Muybridge

Galloping Horse by Eadweard Muybridge Wiki Commons
Wiki Commons

Eadweard Muybridge’s The Horse marked a turning point in both art and science thanks to his Motion series, making it one of the best paintings that changed the course of history. The photographer was one of the early pioneers of chronophotography, which captures movement and time. With his images, he captured the motion of a horse, which influenced videos and film.

Also Read: Most Controversial Paintings in the World

1. The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci

The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci Wiki Commons
Wiki Commons

Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most influential artists ever, with his The Last Supper changing how religious scenes were seen. The painting moved from stiff images to ones full of emotion and feelings. The painting captured key moments, highlighting emotions, which were powerfully received.

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