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The Night Watch by Rembrandt (1642)
Imagine walking into a gallery and seeing a painting so dark and chaotic that people mutter, “What was he thinking?” That’s what happened when Rembrandt first unveiled “The Night Watch.” Critics in the 17th century were bewildered by its deep shadows, offbeat composition, and the way figures seemed to jump out of the frame. Some even called it messy and lacking harmony. The painting didn’t fit the neat, orderly style that was popular at the time. Over the years, especially after a significant restoration in 1975, the true brilliance of Rembrandt’s colors and dramatic lighting was revealed. Today, “The Night Watch” stands proudly in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, estimated to be worth over $500 million. Its transformation from misunderstood oddity to national treasure is nothing short of stunning.
The Scream by Edvard Munch (1893)
Can you believe that one of the world’s most famous paintings was once called ugly and unsettling? When Edvard Munch first introduced “The Scream,” people said it was too emotional, too wild—just too much. The swirling sky and the twisted face seemed to shout anxiety, making viewers uncomfortable. But as the decades rolled on, that very sense of raw emotion became its greatest strength. The painting now speaks to universal feelings of fear and isolation, especially in uncertain times. In 2012, one version of “The Scream” sold for a jaw-dropping $119.9 million at auction. Once misunderstood, it’s now a symbol of modern existentialism—and proves that sometimes, feeling deeply is priceless.
Les Demoiselles d’Avignon by Pablo Picasso (1907)
When Picasso painted “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon,” the public reaction was nothing short of shock. People called it grotesque, confusing, and even offensive. The sharp angles and distorted faces broke every rule of traditional art, leaving critics and viewers alike wondering if Picasso had lost his mind. But what many saw as ugly, history now hails as revolutionary. This painting became the cornerstone of Cubism, changing the course of modern art forever. In 2015, it fetched an astonishing $179.4 million in a private sale. Sometimes, breaking the rules isn’t just brave—it’s the start of something priceless.
The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dalí (1931)
Salvador Dalí’s “The Persistence of Memory” might look familiar—those melting clocks have become a cultural icon. But when Dalí first displayed it, people were baffled. Critics dismissed it as bizarre and unsettling, asking why anyone would paint droopy timepieces on a dreamlike landscape. Dalí’s surreal vision seemed too strange for the mainstream. Yet, as surrealism gained popularity, people started to see the beauty in his madness. By 2017, the painting was valued at around $100 million, its once-criticized weirdness now celebrated for capturing the slippery, surreal nature of memory itself.
American Gothic by Grant Wood (1930)
When “American Gothic” appeared in 1930, audiences weren’t sure what to make of the pitchfork-wielding farmer and his stern-faced daughter. Was Grant Wood mocking rural America, or was he celebrating it? Critics accused the painting of being awkward, stiff, and even a parody of Midwestern values. Over time, however, “American Gothic” became one of America’s most beloved images, representing resilience and tradition. Its subjects now stand as icons of strength, not satire. The painting, housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, is valued around $300,000 today—a huge leap from its controversial beginnings.
The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai (c. 1831)
When Hokusai first created “The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” many outside Japan shrugged it off as just another woodblock print. Its bold lines and dramatic waves were seen as odd, even unsettling. Only with time did the world wake up to its power and beauty. As Japanese art began to influence Western artists, “The Great Wave” surged in popularity, becoming a global symbol of nature’s force. Today, original prints can sell for more than $1.5 million at auction, proof that what once seemed strange can become universally admired.
Composition VII by Wassily Kandinsky (1913)
Kandinsky’s “Composition VII” was met with a lot of head-shaking when it debuted. Abstract art wasn’t mainstream, and critics struggled to make sense of its swirling chaos. Many wrote it off as messy and meaningless. But as Kandinsky’s ideas about art and emotion took hold, the painting’s vibrant colors and energetic forms found new fans. Its status as a masterpiece of abstraction was cemented when it sold for $23 million in 2017. What was once considered an eyesore is now a landmark in the story of modern art.
Whistler’s Mother by James McNeill Whistler (1871)
“Whistler’s Mother,” officially titled “Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1,” was initially criticized for being dull and lifeless. People wondered why anyone would want to hang a portrait of an old woman sitting stiffly in a chair on their wall. Whistler’s use of muted grays and strict composition felt cold to many. Yet, the painting’s quiet dignity and emotional depth slowly won over the public. Today, it’s not just an American icon—it’s a global symbol of motherhood and stoic strength, valued at over $30 million.
Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I by Gustav Klimt (1907)
Klimt’s gold-laden portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer was once ridiculed for being gaudy and excessive. Critics dismissed the shimmering patterns and lavish use of gold leaf as over-the-top. But as tastes shifted, the painting’s intricate beauty and daring style became widely admired. In 2006, it sold for a record $135 million, and now hangs in the Neue Galerie in New York. What was once considered tacky is now a shining jewel of early 20th-century art.
Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh (1889)
It’s hard to believe that “Starry Night” was ever considered anything but breathtaking, but Van Gogh’s swirling skies and vivid colors were once seen as wild and unattractive. Critics thought his brushwork was too frantic, his colors too unrealistic. Van Gogh died never knowing the impact his painting would have. Today, “Starry Night” is one of the most recognized and beloved works of art in the world, with an estimated value of over $100 million. Its journey from misunderstood to masterpiece is a reminder that beauty is often in the eye of the beholder.
Besides founding Festivaltopia, Luca is the co founder of trib, an art and fashion collectiv you find on several regional events and online. Also he is part of the management board at HORiZONTE, a group travel provider in Germany.
