For over 70,000 years, humans have created visually pleasing pieces of art. Be it paintings, sculptures, or architecture, the work of creatives is all around us to be seen. Let's look at some of the most creative, artistic individuals from past and present.
People around the world recognize the beautiful artwork of Vincent Van Gogh. He was born in the Netherlands in 1853. He drew as a child and worked as an art dealer as a young man. As an adult he became depressed and ill. He lived a lonely life and immersed himself in his art. He did most of his painting in the final years of his life, creating around 2,100 artworks.
During his lifetime, Van Gogh was commercially unsuccessful. It was not until he committed suicide in 1890 that his work became famous. Posthumously, he is known as one of the best artists in Western art. People know him as a talented yet tortured artist.
Leonardo Da Vinci was a true genius. He is known as one of the greatest painters in history. The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper are some of the most famous art pieces in the world. But that is not all. Da Vinci was a scientist, engineer, and architect, too.
Known for his technological ingenuity, he designed things that were not possible in his lifetime. He drew flying machines that look like helicopters. He studied the stars and planets. Da Vinci was famous in his own lifetime, and he is admired to this day. People still queue to see his most famous work.
Frida Kahlo is one of the most famous artists of the 20th century. She was born in Mexico in 1907. Her paintings were often surreal; she mixed real and fantasy in her art.
Symbolism can be found in all of her artwork. For example, many of her self-portraits contained roots connecting her to the ground. They show both the theme of growth and her fear of being stuck in one place.
Since the 1990s, her artwork has been considered emblematic of feminism. She suffered a lot of pain in her life, but she always fought back.
Emily Carr was an artist from Victoria, British Columbia. Born in 1871, she became interested in the indigenous culture. Much of her early art was paintings of villages. But she did not achieve widespread recognition until she began painting landscapes. She is now described as a "Canadian Icon."
Bill Reid was a member of the Haida indigenous group from British Columbia, Canada. He is one of the most significant Northwest coast artists.
He produced over 1,000 pieces of work during his 50-year career as an artist. His artwork was even on the $20 note in Canada between 2004 and 2012.
From Bristol, England, Bansky is known around the world for his art. But his real identity is unconfirmed. His anonymity is part of what makes him so famous.
His "installations" can be found on streets, walls, and bridges around the world. His art is often about politics and society. Lots of his artwork shows his views on war and consumerism. He also shows greed and poverty in his art. He sees art as a form of revenge against the rich and powerful.
Creativity does not come easily. If you have it, why not use it for good in the world like many great creatives from the past?