Deco.arts

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Terracotta lekythos in the form of Eros

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Michele Oka Doner – "A Walk on the Beach"

⚲ Miami International Airport

This expansive terrazzo and bronze artwork spans 1.25 miles. Inspired by marine life, it connects travelers to Florida’s natural ecosystem.

Image: F&M College Digital Collections

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The Scream – Edvard Munch (1893)

⚲ Nasjonalmusjeet, Brynjulf Bulls plass 3, 0250 Oslo, Norway

Munch's expressionist piece is iconic for its depiction of a figure gripped by existential dread. The swirling sky and distorted figure embody anxiety, becoming a visual metaphor for the modern condition.

Munch created four versions - two in paint and two in pastels. The first version has a barely visible pencil inscription "Kan kun være malet af en gal Mand!" ("could only have been painted by a madman"). This inscription went unnoticed until 11 years after this version was painted and infrared handwriting studies reveal that this inscription was added by Munch himself, likely after critical comments were made at the work's first exhibition in 1895.

Image source: National Gallery of Norway

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The Birth of Venus – Sandro Botticelli (c. 1484-1486)

⚲ Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

This painting captures Venus emerging from the sea on a shell, symbolizing divine beauty and love. Botticelli's graceful linework and pastel palette exemplify early Renaissance ideals of harmony and classical mythology.

Image source: Google Art Project

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The Persistence of Memory – Salvador Dalí (1931)

⚲ MoMA, 11 W 53rd St, New York

Dalí's surreal masterpiece presents melting clocks that challenge our understanding of time. The eerie, barren landscape invites viewers into a subconscious dreamscape where rationality dissolves.

Image from: MoMA

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The Starry Night – Vincent van Gogh (1889)

⚲ MoMA, 11 W 53rd St, New York

This expressive landscape features swirling skies over a quiet town, conveying Van Gogh's emotional turbulence and fascination with the cosmos. The impasto technique lends the painting texture and movement, making the night sky feel alive.

Image scanned by the Google Art Project

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Mona Lisa – Leonardo da Vinci (c. 1503-1506)

⚲ The Louvre, 75001 Paris, France

One of the most famous portraits in the world, the Mona Lisa is admired for her mysterious expression and Da Vinci's sfumato technique. The composition subtly blends figure and background, suggesting harmony between humanity and nature.

Image cropped and relevelled from C2RMF: image page