Top 50 Inspirational Paintings of all Times and Their Cost.

Art has the power to inspire and evoke emotions, and nothing captures this essence better than the top inspirational paintings of all time. 

From timeless classics to modern masterpieces, these artworks stand as testaments to the boundless creativity of the human spirit. Join us on a journey through the realms of artistry, where each stroke tells a story.

About Inspirational Paintings

Inspirational paintings are works of art that aim to evoke positive emotions, motivate, and uplift viewers. These paintings often feature themes of hope, perseverance, beauty, and the triumph of the human spirit. 

Furthermore, artists use various styles, techniques, and subject matter to convey messages of inspiration.

Elements of Inspirational Paintings

Here are some common elements found in inspirational paintings:

• Nature Scenes: Many inspirational paintings feature serene landscapes, vibrant sunsets, or majestic mountains. Nature has a timeless and calming quality that can inspire a sense of wonder and appreciation for the world.
• Quotes and Text: Some artists incorporate inspirational quotes or text into their paintings. These words can serve as a powerful visual reinforcement of the message the artist wants to convey.
• Human Achievements: Paintings that depict human accomplishments, whether on a personal or societal level, can be highly motivational. This might include scenes of triumph over adversity, teamwork, or individuals achieving their goals.
• Symbolism: Artists often use symbolic imagery to convey deeper meanings. For example, a rising sun may symbolize new beginnings, a butterfly emerging from a cocoon can represent transformation, or a lone tree standing strong can symbolize resilience.
• Bold Colors: Vibrant and uplifting colors can evoke positive emotions. Artists may use a palette of bright and bold colors to create a visually striking and emotionally impactful composition.
• Expressive Brushwork: The artist’s technique can contribute to the emotional impact of a painting. Expressive and dynamic brushstrokes may convey energy, passion, and a sense of movement.
• Figurative Art: Paintings featuring people engaged in positive activities or expressing positive emotions can be deeply inspirational. These figures may represent everyday individuals overcoming challenges or achieving personal growth.
• Spiritual and Cultural Themes: Inspirational paintings may draw on spiritual or cultural themes, incorporating elements that resonate with a specific audience and convey a sense of purpose or connection.

Read this: Richard Siken Quotes

Top 50 inspirational paintings of all Times and their cost

#1. The Mona Lisa

Price: $860 million 

Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, stands as an epitome of artistic excellence. Valued at an estimated $860 million, this portrait continues to captivate art enthusiasts. 

Also, The enigmatic smile and captivating gaze of this Renaissance beauty have made it one of the most iconic paintings in the world. This is one of the the top inspirational paintings

#2. Starry Night

Price: $100 million

Van Gogh’s Starry Night, a swirling cosmos of colors, holds an estimated value of $100 million. Its emotional intensity and vivid imagery make it a timeless masterpiece. 

Also, The swirling night sky and vibrant colors draw viewers into van Gogh’s tumultuous yet captivating mind.

#3. The Scream

Price: $120 million 

Edvard Munch’s iconic painting, The Scream, captures the essence of existential angst. With a market value of $120 million, it remains an evocative symbol of human emotion. In addition, this is one of the top inspirational paintings.

#4. Guernica

Price:  $200 million

Pablo Picasso’s Guernica, a powerful anti-war statement, is valued at around $200 million. Its intricate symbolism and emotional impact make it a cornerstone of modern art.

Also, read this: 70 Best Live Laugh Love Quotes

#5. Whistler’s Mother

Price: $30 million

Whistler’s Mother, an intimate portrayal of maternal love, holds an estimated value of $30 million. James McNeill Whistler’s attention to detail and emotional depth shine through in this masterpiece.

#6. American Gothic

Price: $25 million

Grant Wood’s American Gothic, an iconic representation of rural America, is valued at $25 million. The stoic expressions of the farmer and his daughter echo the resilience of the American spirit.

#7. The Persistence of Memory

Price: $300 million.

Salvador Dali’s surreal masterpiece, The Persistence of Memory, is valued at $60 million. Its melting clocks and dreamlike atmosphere challenge our perceptions of reality.

#8. The Birth of Venus

Price: $50 million

Sandro Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, a celebration of beauty and love, holds an estimated value of $50 million. This Renaissance masterpiece continues to inspire awe.

#9. The Great Wave off Kanagawa

Price: $5.4 million

Hokusai’s woodblock print, The Great Wave off Kanagawa, is valued at $5.4 million. Its dynamic composition and symbolic significance make it a cultural treasure. Also, this is one of the top inspirational paintings.

You can check this: Picasso Art Contest For International Students

#10. The Last Supper

Price: $300 million.

Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, a pinnacle of religious art, is valued at $300 million. Its meticulous detailing and spiritual resonance contribute to its enduring appeal.

#11. Reclining Nude With Blue Cushion – Amedeo Modigliani

Price: $118 million

This painting is an example of Modigliani’s signature style, featuring elongated forms and a sense of elegance. The reclining nude, adorned with a blue cushion, showcases the artist’s fascination with the female form.

Also, Moigliani is also known for his interesting character and behavior, as he would often swap or trade his paintings for alcohol, food or drugs.

#12. Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I – Gustav Klimt

Price: $5 million

This iconic portrait is one of Klimt’s masterpieces, showcasing his distinctive Art Nouveau style. Adele Bloch-Bauer, a prominent Viennese socialite, is depicted in a gilded and ornamented manner, surrounded by intricate patterns.

In addition, this is one of the top inspirational paintings.

#13. Woman III – Willem de Kooning

Price: $137.5 million

“Woman III” is a notable work from the abstract expressionist movement. De Kooning’s use of bold and aggressive brushstrokes creates a dynamic portrayal of a woman, blurring the lines between abstraction and figuration.

#14. No. 5, 1948 – Jackson Pollock

Price: $140 million

This painting is a prime example of Pollock’s drip painting technique. The artist used a unique method of dripping and pouring paint onto a canvas placed on the floor, creating a chaotic yet controlled composition.

#15. Three Studies of Lucian Freud – Francis Bacon

Price: $142.4 million

Bacon’s triptych depicts his friend and fellow artist Lucian Freud in a series of distorted and unsettling images. The use of bold colors and distorted forms reflects Bacon’s expressionist and psychologically charged style.

#16. Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer II – Gustav Klimt

Price: $150 million

Another portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer, this painting is characterized by Klimt’s golden decorative style. The subject is adorned with elaborate patterns and symbols, creating a rich and luxurious visual experience.

Also, check this: 15 Courses On Mandala Color Online | Free & Paid

#17. Le Rêve – Pablo Picasso

Price: $155 million

“Le Rêve” translates to “The Dream.” This painting features Picasso’s lover and muse, Marie-Thérèse Walter, in a dreamlike and sensual composition. 

The interplay of form and color reflects Picasso’s innovative approach to art. In addition, this is one of the top inspirational paintings.

#18. Nu couché (sur le côté gauche) – Amedeo Modigliani

Price: $157.2 million

This painting is another example of Modigliani’s reclining nude series. The subject’s elongated and stylized form, combined with the use of warm tones, contributes to the sensuous and timeless quality of the artwork.

#19. Masterpiece – Roy Lichtenstein

Price: $165 million

Lichtenstein’s “Masterpiece” is a reflection on the nature of artistic creation. It features his characteristic use of Ben-Day dots and bold lines, resembling a comic book style, while questioning the concept of what defines a masterpiece.

#20. Les Femmes d’Alger (“Version O”) – Pablo Picasso

Price: $197.4 million

This painting is part of Picasso’s series inspired by Eugène Delacroix’s “The Women of Algiers.” “Les Femmes d’Alger (Version O)” is a vibrant and complex composition that pays homage to Orientalist themes, showcasing Picasso’s mastery of color and form.

#21. Pendant portraits of Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit – Rembrandt

Price: $180 million

These pendant portraits depict Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit, a couple from Amsterdam. Painted by Rembrandt in 1634, the portraits are celebrated for their lifelike detail and the luxurious attire of the subjects. 

The paintings were jointly acquired by the Louvre Museum in Paris and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam in 2015. Also, this is one of the top inspirational paintings.

#22. No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red) – Mark Rothko

Price: $186 million

Rothko, a prominent figure in abstract expressionism, created “No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red)” in 1951.

This large-scale painting is characterized by its stacked rectangles of color, inviting viewers to experience an emotional and contemplative response to the interplay of hues and forms.

#23. Number 17A – Jackson Pollock

Price: $200 million

“Number 17A” is one of Pollock’s drip paintings, created in 1948. The canvas is covered in a web of energetic and chaotic drips and splatters, showcasing Pollock’s unique and influential technique. 

The dynamic composition reflects the artist’s commitment to spontaneous and expressive action.

#24. Nafea Faa Ipoipo – Paul Gauguin

Price: $210 million

Translated as “When Will You Marry?,” this painting by Gauguin was created during his time in Tahiti in 1892. The work features two Tahitian women against a lush background, capturing Gauguin’s fascination with exoticism and his search for an idyllic, unspoiled paradise.

#25. The Card Players – Paul Cézanne

Price: $250 million

Cézanne’s “The Card Players” is a series of five paintings depicting peasants engaged in playing cards. Created between 1890 and 1892, these works are considered masterpieces of post-impressionism. 

Furthermore, Cézanne’s geometric and structured approach to form is evident in these compositions. This is one of the top inspirational paintings.

See also: 15 Resin Artwork For Beginners in 2023 | Free & Paid

#26. Interchange – Willem de Kooning

Price: $300 million

“Interchange” is a seminal work in abstract expressionism, created by de Kooning in 1955. The painting features bold, gestural strokes and a dynamic interplay of colors and forms. 

It reflects de Kooning’s ability to balance abstraction and figuration in a powerful and emotionally charged manner.

#27. Salvator Mundi – Leonardo da Vinci

Price: $450.3 million

“Salvator Mundi” depicts Christ as Savior of the World. Created by da Vinci around 1500, it is known for its exquisite detailing, especially in the depiction of Christ’s crystal orb.

The painting’s attribution to da Vinci was confirmed in the 21st century, and it gained significant attention when it was sold at auction for a record-breaking price.

#28. Composition 8 – Vasily Kandinsky

Price: $245 million 

Known for its vibrant colors and intricate geometric shapes, Composition 8 is a prime example of Kandinsky’s non-representational, abstract style. Also, it was displayed in 1923.

#29. Beheading of Saint John the Baptist – Caravaggio

Price: $419.95 million

This painting was made by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, an Italian Baroque painter in 1608 in baroque style.

Also, The painting depicts the biblical scene of the beheading of Saint John the Baptist with Caravaggio’s characteristic use of dramatic lighting and intense realism.

#30. Guernica – Pablo Picasso

Price: $200 million

Style: Cubism.

This painting was made byPablo Picasso, a Spanish painter and sculptor in 1937. Created in response to the bombing of the town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War, Guernica is a powerful anti-war statement. 

Also, The picture also depicts the pain and agony of civilians who were attacked too in the tragedies of war. It features distorted and anguished figures. This is one of the top inspirational paintings.

#31. Luncheon on the Boating Party – Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Price: $384 million
Style: Impressionism.

The painting captures a leisurely scene of people dining on a balcony overlooking the Seine River. Renoir’s use of light and color is characteristic of the Impressionist movement. In addition, the famous painting was made in 1881.

Related post: 15 Craft Classes Online In 2022 | Free & Paid

#32. Water Lilies – Claude Monet

Price: $84.6 million
Style: Impressionism.

Claude Monet is a French impressionist painter. Monet’s Water Lilies series showcases his fascination with the play of light on water and reflections. The paintings are characterized by their loose brushstrokes and emphasis on atmosphere.

#33. Landscape with the Fall of Icarus – Pieter Bruegel the Elder De Monet

Price: $438.95 million

Style: Renaissance.

This painting is a depiction of the myth of Icarus, but what makes it unique is that Icarus is a small, almost unnoticed figure in the background, while daily life continues in the foreground, reflecting Bruegel’s interest in depicting peasant life.

#34. Las Meninas – Diego Velázquez

Price: $321 million
Date: 1656
Style: Baroque

One of the most analyzed and discussed paintings in Western art, Las Meninas is a complex and enigmatic work. It depicts a scene in the Spanish court with the young Infanta Margaret Theresa, and Velázquez himself is included in the composition.

#35. Three Musicians – Pablo Picasso

Price: $343 million

A prominent example of Picasso’s Synthetic Cubism, Three Musicians features abstract and flat figures playing instruments. The use of bold colors and simplified forms is characteristic of this period in Picasso’s work. In addition it was display in 1921

#36. A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte – Georges Seurat

Price: $365 million
Style: Pointillism.

This monumental work is known for its meticulous use of pointillism, where small dots of color are applied to create a larger image. The scene depicts a leisurely Sunday afternoon in a park along the Seine River. 

In addition, the painting is one of the most famous paintings that was made by Georges Seurat, a French Post-Impressionist painter in 1884.

#37. Impression, Sunrise – Claude Monet

Price: $237.50 million
Style: Impressionism.

This painting is often considered the starting point of the Impressionist movement which was made in 1872 by the artist, Claude Monet.

It features a harbor at sunrise with loose brushstrokes and an emphasis on capturing the fleeting effects of light. This is one of the top inspirational paintings.

#38. The Triumph of Galatea – Raphael

Price:  $495.00 million
Style: Renaissance.

The Triumph of Galatea is a fresco depicting a scene from classical mythology. It showcases Raphael’s mastery of composition and his ability to capture idealized beauty in both the human form and the surrounding landscape.

Related post: 20 Digital Art Classes Online in 2022 | free & paid

#39. View of Toledo – El Greco

Price: $241 million 
Style: Mannerism

This painting is a landscape depiction of the city of Toledo, Spain which was painted by El Greco between 1596 to 1600. El Greco’s use of vibrant colors and unique, elongated forms is characteristic of his distinctive style.

#40. The Tower of Babel – Pieter Bruegel the Elder

Price: $332 million
Style: Northern Renaissance

This painting depicts the biblical story of the Tower of Babel, showcasing Bruegel’s attention to detail and his ability to capture complex scenes with a large number of figures. 

In addition, the painting was made in the year 1563 by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. The famous painting was one of the best depictions of religious art according to the book of Genesis where it was the origin of why people in the world speak in different languages.

#41. The Dance – Henri Matisse

Price: $354 million 
Style: Fauvism

“The Dance” is a masterpiece of Fauvist art in 1910, known for its bold use of color and simplified, expressive forms. The painting portrays five nude figures dancing in a circle.

#42. The Swing – Eugène Delacroix

Price:  $343 million
Style: Romanticism

This painting captures a sense of movement and emotion as a woman swings through the air. Delacroix’s use of color and dynamic composition is characteristic of the Romantic period.

Also, it was painted in 1834. In addition, this is one of the top inspirational paintings.

#43. The Gleaners – Jean-François Millet

Price: $259 million
Style: Realism

“The Gleaners” depicts three peasant women gathering leftover grain in a field after the harvest. It is a powerful representation of rural life and the social conditions of the time. In addition Millet unveiled the painting at the salon in 1857.

#44. The Flower Carrier – Diego Rivera

Price: $50 million 
Style: Mexican Muralism

This painting is a part of Rivera’s series in 1935 on Mexican workers and their struggles. “The Flower Carrier” depicts a laborer carrying a heavy load of flowers, symbolizing the burdens of the working class.

#45. The Kiss – Gustav Klimt

Price: $288 million 
Style: Symbolism, Art Nouveau

“The Kiss” is one of Klimt’s most famous works which was made between 1907 t0 1908. It’s known for its decorative and symbolic elements. The painting features a couple embracing amidst a golden, ornamental background.

Read also: Best FREE Online Art Classes 2022

#46. Portrait de L’artiste Sans Barbe – Vincent van Gogh

Price: $71.5 million 
Style: Post-Impressionism

This self-portrait by Van Gogh is notable for depicting the artist without his characteristic beard. Van Gogh’s use of color and expressive brushstrokes is evident in this work. In addition, this is one of the top inspirational paintings. 

#47. Bal du Moulin de la Galette – Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Price: $78.1 million
Style: Impressionism

In 1876, this painting captures a scene of people dancing and socializing at the Moulin de la Galette in Montmartre, Paris. Renoir’s loose brushstrokes and emphasis on light characterize the Impressionist style.

#48. Cafe Terrace at Night – Vincent van Gogh

Price: $259 million
Style: Post-Impressionism

This night scene depicts a café terrace in Arles, France. In 1888, Van Gogh’s use of vibrant colors and swirling patterns in the sky is iconic of his personal style.

#49. The Grand Odalisque – Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres

Price: $80.8 million 
Style: Neoclassicism

This painting is a representation of an odalisque, a woman in a Turkish harem. Ingres’ meticulous attention to detail and idealized forms are characteristic of Neoclassical art in 1814.

#50. The Liberty leading the people – Eugène Delacroix

Price:  $495 million

“The Liberty Leading the People” is a famous painting by the French artist Eugène Delacroix. It was completed in 1830 and is considered one of the masterpieces of Romantic art. 

The painting commemorates the July Revolution in France, during which the Bourbon monarchy was overthrown.

Furthermore, the central figure in the painting is an allegorical representation of Liberty, leading a diverse group of people forward over the bodies of fallen fighters. 

Liberty is depicted as a woman holding the French tricolor flag, symbolizing the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity. In addition, this is one of the top inspirational paintings.

Check also: 15 Online Painting Classes | Free & Paid

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

The top inspirational paintings take us on a captivating journey through the diverse landscapes of artistic expression. From the timeless allure of Starry Night to the enigmatic smile of Mona Lisa and the surrealism of The Persistence of Memory, each painting contributes to a rich tapestry of human creativity.

References

• wealthygorilla.com/
• bookmyp.com/
• wikipedia.org/
• brushwiz.com/

Recommendations

• 100 Short Inspirational Sunday Morning Blessings
• Top 25 Inspirational Poetry for Teenagers
• 85+ Inspiring Hello September Quotes
• Top Motivational Speeches That Shook the World