Looking for a new piece of art to brighten your space up? Have you considered putting up a vibrant portrait of a charming woman? If yes, you have hit the jackpot! Time and again, artists have drawn inspiration from the female body and the mystery in their persona.
Some of the world’s best masterpieces have featured gorgeous females – from Mona Lisa to Frida Kahlo to Marilyn Monroe. If you are now considering adorning your walls with a spectacular portrait of one such woman, you can look at some great options today.
In this article, you can discover five pristine woman paintings to embellish your house with. Let’s explore these popular visual arts with women in limelight, and also learn about their background.
Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci
The first name that comes to mind when discussing famous women portraits is Mona Lisa. This striking half-body portrait by Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most popular paintings of all time. Mona Lisa’s everlasting beauty and mysterious half-smile are enough to win over the viewers.
Painted between 1503 and 1505, the art piece represents classical renaissance art. The subject poses calmly against a distant landscape. The curved lines used to outline her clothes and hair are echoed in rivers and mountains you can see behind her – implying a connection between nature and mankind.
Today, it is a centerpiece at the Musée du Louvre, which has been home to Mona Lisa since 1797. You too can add a copy of this fascinating image in your house and double the beauty of the space.
Boreas by John William Waterhouse
Titled after the Greek Goddess of the north wind, Boreas is a Pre-Raphaelite style oil painting. Painted in 1903, this painting by John William Waterhouse stirred a sensation. It features a young maiden buffeted by a playful gush of wind.
Waterhouse used some curving strokes to flaunt his artistic genius. Onlookers have no option but to surrender to mystical winds in the image. The art combines Impressionist and English Pre-Raphaelite styles.
The mystical subject is placed against nature in symmetrical perfection. Waterhouse used light and shadow to highlight the intricate details of the natural beauty that surrounds the subject. The muted cool palette, her contrasting pale skin tone, the flower behind her ears – the heart of this painting is in its details.
The Lady of Shalott 1888 by John William Waterhouse
This is another immensely popular painting by Waterhouse in which he illustrated Lady of Shalott. Based on a famous Tennyson poem, it is perhaps the most recognized art by the Victorian painter. In Lord Tennyson’s poem, the young woman is cursed and isolated in Shalott.
She lives in a distant tower and can only see the outside world through a mirror reflection. Her curse starts taking over when she cannot resist looking directly at knight Lancelot. She sings a final song as she floats down the river before dying on the boat journey.
In Waterhouse’s version, it is implied that the woman is about to let go of the boat’s chain. She is looking hopelessly at three solemn candles. Her despair and isolation have been illustrated beautifully. Even the unkempt reeds and dark woods in the foreground highlight her plight.
Idleness II by John William Godward
If your house lacks colors, this painting would be a brilliant addition. The black-haired subject adorns a vibrant yellow dress on a sea-facing balcony. The classical landscape against her fair skin and calm composure is a treat for the eyes.
She is enjoying her lazy afternoon on a marble bench, but that’s not all she’s doing in this Neoclassical painting by John William Godward. She is playing with a little orange-striped cat with a brilliantly colored peacock feather.
The light blue horizon where the sea meets the sky makes the foreground of the picture. Some dainty pink flowers peek behind her, adding just the right amount of pink this painting needed. Overall, the bright colors and excellent contrasts depict a gorgeous day.
Flaming June by Lord Frederick Leighton
What is cooler than a bold pop of orange on your walls? The Flaming June by Lord Frederick Leighton offers exactly that! Painted back in 1895, The Flaming June is a reflection of Pre-Raphaelite art.
Its electric color palette is not the only thing that stands out. A young girl lost in slumber takes up most of the frame. Viewers ought to stop and wonder at the innocence of her reclining pose.
Just a single glance is enough to fall in love with this piece of art. The dreaminess in this picture is what has won over millions of hearts. This may just be the perfect decorative item your home needs.
Conclusion
Portraits of women are often so expressive. In fact, it’s the element of mystery that makes them so popular. Thanks to the perfect balance of emotions and colors, any of these portraits can brighten your interiors.