Picture : The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh – one of the most famous oil paintings in the world, showcasing the Impressionist style

Recognize this Famous Painting ?

Yes, this is The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh - a masterpiece created over a century ago, yet still admired as if it were painted yesterday. Like this, countless famous paintings have captured our hearts and stood the test of time. These works are not just strokes of color on canvas; they are celebrated for their artistic brilliance, historical significance, and the timeless stories they tell.

Paintings have always drawn us in, haven’t they? But how often do we pause to explore the struggles behind these masterpieces, the journeys of the famous painters who shaped art history through their unique painting styles?

The Struggles Behind the Masterpieces...

Let’s go back to where it all began, the great Art Movements.

Although the idea of depicting life through art has existed for centuries but one of the most famous starting points of this struggle was the Renaissance Period. This was an era when art wasn’t just decoration; it was a revolution that gave us some of the most famous paintings of famous painters we admire even today.

But behind these breathtaking masterpieces lay struggles we rarely think about - Picasso’s Blue Period is one such example, where his pain and poverty shaped works that now hang in museums and are valued far beyond just paintings for sale.

Each art movement carries a story of resilience, sacrifice, and vision reminding us that these works are not merely to be hung on walls but to be deeply appreciated for the journeys behind them.

"The School of Athens" - by Raphael

The School of Athens, a masterpiece of the High Renaissance by Raphael in the Apostolic Palace, Vatican City, portrays a congregation of the ancient philosophers Plato and Aristotle at the center.

Raphael’s The School of Athens, a High Renaissance popular painting, was born from his struggle to prove himself among legends like Michelangelo and Leonardo.

In many ways, his struggle mirrors ours today - the silent battles, the need to be seen, and the hope that our efforts will one day be valued as masterpieces too.

"The Calling of St. Matthew" - by Carravagio

This renowned oil painting by Caravaggio depicts the biblical moment when Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow him - A masterpiece of the Baroque period.

Behind this Baroque masterpiece lies Caravaggio’s own struggle - a turbulent life marked by poverty, violence, and rejection. Yet, through shadows and light, he created a work that speaks of transformation and hope.

Much like today, when many of us face setbacks before finding our true calling, Caravaggio turned hardship into timeless art.

"The Old Guitarist" - by Pablo Picasso

Painted in 1903, The Old Guitarist shows an aged, frail man playing music on the streets of Barcelona. Created during Picasso’s Blue Period, the painting reflects his own poverty, grief over a dear friend’s suicide, and influences of El Greco and Symbolism.

Behind The Old Guitarist lies Picasso’s darkest struggles, grief over a close friend’s suicide, crushing poverty, and nights of hunger that shaped his “Blue Period.” Every brushstroke mirrors loneliness and despair.

Yet, out of that pain came a masterpiece that still moves us today. It’s a reminder that even in our own struggles, we too can turn pain into something meaningful.

"The Scream" - by Edvard Munch

Created in 1893 during the Expressionism movement, The Scream by Edvard Munch depicts a figure with a contorted face on a bridge, set against a swirling, blood-red sky. This iconic masterpiece captures intense emotional distress and existential dread, reflecting Munch’s personal struggles

Behind The Scream, Munch grappled with anxiety, grief, and the fear of mortality - struggles that many of us still face today. His masterpiece inspires us that even through hardship, we can transform our lives into something powerful and meaningful.

Moving Towards New Forms of Art and Expression...

While the classics show us the struggles behind timeless masterpieces, here we will see how contemporary and modern art invite us to explore new forms of expression and discover fresh ways of seeing life today. These will be more relatable to us because it expresses emotions, thoughts and modern lives the way we see it. Basically, a reflection of the way we live, think, and feel.

The Evolution Continues...

The Persistence of Memory - By Salvador Dalí

(Surrealist Painting)

Composition VII- By Wassily Kandinsky

(Abstract Painting)

Marilyn Diptych- By Andy Warhol

(Pop Art)

Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Diptych bursts with color and energy, a Modern Art masterpiece that feels alive and vibrant just like our generation. It reminds us how art can capture personality, fame, and emotion.

Wassily Kandinsky’s Composition VII (1913) is a vibrant Modern Art masterpiece that embraces pure abstraction. Though its chaotic forms and colors aren’t easy to grasp at first, people are drawn to its energy and emotion, finding beauty in the freedom it represents.

Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory bends time and reality with its melting clocks, a striking Modern Art masterpiece of Surrealism. Its unconventional imagery reminds us that even in a world that feels strange and unpredictable, creativity can turn the impossible into something mesmerizing.

Why These Paintings Still Inspire Us Today

Aren't these masterpieces beautiful to look at ? that is because they carry the stories, struggles, and passions of the artists who created them. From the Renaissance to Modern and Contemporary Art, every brushstroke holds emotion, history, and life lessons that continue to touch our hearts.

I have a suggestion for all of you: Whenever life feels heavy or you’re struggling I urge you to visit a museum or simply spend time with the works of famous painters. Try to understand their perspective, the struggles they faced, and the story behind each painting. It might not solve your problems, but I promise it will give you a fresh perspective on life.

These paintings remind us that even in our darkest moments, creativity, resilience, and passion can turn struggles into something beautiful. They connect the past with the present, and through them, we can find inspiration, hope, and a little bit of ourselves.