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Vincent van Gogh – The Starry Night
It’s almost impossible to imagine now, but when Vincent van Gogh painted “The Starry Night” in 1889, his work was met with little but confusion and rejection. Van Gogh, plagued by mental health struggles and poverty, sold only one painting during his lifetime. Critics often dismissed his intense brushstrokes and vivid colors as signs of instability, and “The Starry Night” was viewed as a wild, almost reckless experiment. Today, the painting stands as an icon of emotional expression and artistic brilliance. It draws millions of visitors to the Museum of Modern Art in New York every year and is valued at well over $100 million. The swirling, dreamlike sky that once seemed so strange is now beloved around the world. Van Gogh’s journey from obscurity to global fame is one of the most poignant stories in art history.
Claude Monet – Impression, Sunrise
When Claude Monet unveiled “Impression, Sunrise” in 1872, the reaction was far from welcoming. Critics accused Monet of presenting an unfinished sketch rather than a real painting, with one famously sneering that wallpaper was more finished than his canvas. This criticism was so biting that it gave birth to the term “Impressionism,” initially meant as an insult. Yet Monet’s focus on capturing light and fleeting moments represented a breakthrough in art, even if few saw it at first. Today, “Impression, Sunrise” is revered as the painting that sparked an entire movement, with Monet’s works now selling for tens of millions at auction. The painting’s loose brushwork, once so controversial, is now celebrated for its innovation and beauty.
Edouard Manet – Olympia
In 1863, Edouard Manet’s “Olympia” shocked Parisian society when it was first exhibited. The painting’s unapologetic depiction of a nude woman, staring boldly at the viewer, was seen as a scandalous affront to traditional values. Critics called it vulgar and indecent, and the uproar was so intense that security guards had to be posted by the canvas. Manet’s refusal to idealize his subject broke with centuries of convention, but he paid a heavy price in criticism and rejection. Decades later, “Olympia” is recognized as a groundbreaking work that changed the way women were represented in art. It now hangs in the Musée d’Orsay and is considered one of the museum’s crown jewels.
Gustav Klimt – The Kiss
Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss,” painted between 1907 and 1908, was initially dismissed by critics as gaudy and even obscene. The painting’s use of gold leaf and its intimate, entwined lovers were seen as overly decorative, with some accusing Klimt of sacrificing substance for style. Public response was divided, with some praising its beauty and others recoiling from its sensuality. Over time, tastes changed, and “The Kiss” became celebrated for its luxurious detail and emotional power. Today, it is regarded as the defining masterpiece of the Art Nouveau movement and is valued in the hundreds of millions. Klimt’s vision, once controversial, is now universally admired.
Henri Matisse – Woman with a Hat
Henri Matisse’s “Woman with a Hat,” painted in 1905, unleashed a storm of criticism when first displayed. The painting’s wild colors and spontaneous brushwork seemed like an assault on good taste. Critics derided it as the work of a “Fauve” (wild beast), and the term Fauvism was born from their outrage. What was seen as crude and garish is now understood as a bold step toward modernism, breaking with the academic traditions of the past. “Woman with a Hat” paved the way for future generations of artists to experiment with color and form. The painting now commands prices over $30 million and is studied as a pivotal work in the history of art.
Marcel Duchamp – Fountain
Marcel Duchamp’s “Fountain,” created in 1917, was perhaps the most notorious prank in art history. Duchamp submitted a porcelain urinal, signed “R. Mutt,” to an art exhibition, only to have it rejected with outrage and confusion. Many critics failed to see the point, dismissing it as a tasteless joke. Duchamp, however, was challenging the very definition of art and the authority of institutions to judge it. Decades later, “Fountain” is hailed as a revolutionary act that paved the way for conceptual art. Museums and scholars now recognize its lasting influence, and replicas are displayed in major collections worldwide.
Pablo Picasso – Les Demoiselles d’Avignon
When Pablo Picasso finished “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon” in 1907, even his closest friends and fellow artists recoiled in horror. The painting’s jagged forms and mask-like faces shattered the conventions of beauty and realism. Critics called it ugly and incomprehensible, and it languished in Picasso’s studio for years before being shown publicly. Yet this bold experiment marked the birth of Cubism, a movement that would forever alter the course of modern art. Today, the painting is considered priceless and serves as a testament to Picasso’s genius. Its journey from reviled oddity to celebrated masterpiece is nothing short of astonishing.
Jackson Pollock – No. 5, 1948
Jackson Pollock’s “No. 5, 1948” was initially met with disbelief and ridicule. Many viewers saw only a chaotic tangle of drips and splatters, dismissing it as the random work of a madman. Critics questioned whether it was art at all. Pollock, however, believed in the raw energy and emotion of his process, and his supporters argued that he was capturing something fundamentally new. In 2006, “No. 5” sold privately for a reported $140 million, making it one of the most expensive paintings ever. Pollock’s radical vision, once controversial, is now recognized as a major force in 20th-century art.
El Greco – The Burial of the Count of Orgaz
El Greco’s “The Burial of the Count of Orgaz,” completed in 1586, was misunderstood in its time for its elongated figures and expressive style. Critics found the work unsettling and at odds with the realism that dominated Renaissance art. El Greco’s blending of Byzantine tradition with new artistic innovations was ahead of its time, and his genius went largely unrecognized during his life. Today, “The Burial of the Count of Orgaz” is seen as a visionary masterpiece, drawing thousands of visitors to the Church of Santo Tomé in Toledo. Its unique style now inspires admiration for its emotional depth and originality.
Frida Kahlo – The Two Fridas
Frida Kahlo’s “The Two Fridas,” painted in 1939, was largely overlooked outside of her native Mexico during her lifetime. Many saw Kahlo’s intensely personal style as too strange or disturbing, and she received little attention from the international art world. The painting’s exploration of dual identity and emotional pain was ahead of its time, resonating far more with modern audiences. Today, “The Two Fridas” is hailed as a feminist masterpiece and a symbol of resilience. Kahlo’s work has seen a dramatic rise in value, with her paintings now fetching millions at auction and her influence spreading across the world.
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.
