What's so special about the Mona Lisa, and Munch's "Scream" painting?

Question

I'm interested in knowing why these two painting in particular stand out from all of the other paintings of their time. What was achieved, in relation to the message or painting methods used? Why are these two so significant?

And why is a painting of a can of soup so well known?
I'm hoping your answers will help me improve my own paintings and ideas!

Answer 1

Hi Cherry Pie,

Paintings such as these stand out because they are different, they are something new, they represent their time so well, or because they speak to us across the ages.

My view is that the Mona Lisa was the first well-known portrait painting that represented just the sitter and nothing else. It's not an allegory, its not the patron put into a historical context - its just La Giaconda represented (I believe) as she appeared in real life, as opposed to an idealised version of her. Look at other portraits of the time and they tend not to be true representations of the sitter.

"The Scream" speaks to us as it may be interpreted in so many ways. Clearly the main figure is in emotional turmoil. This speaks to us of our own angst-ridden age, our own inner turmoil and the unsuccessful search for peace.

Warhol's soup tin again represented the age of mechanisation. This and his Marilyn images portray the mass production prevelant in society now - the lack of individualism.

In your paintings, as with any art in any medium, should have an emotional basis in you as the creator. The work should mean something to you, and hopefully this will find a connection with the viewer.

Answer 2

i dont know about the other 2, but the mona lisa is famous for several reasons. First, Leonardo popularised 3-d painting, which might not sound like much now but was a huge innovation. In the painting he experimented with several innovative techniques to create more movement and life. First, the landscape on both sides of lisa are at different heights so as to create more movement in the painting. Leonardo also successfully used the concept of foreground and background. He also painted her eyes at slightly different heights to make it seem that her eyes follow you around the room. He also hired musicians and mimes to entertain the lady as the painting took years to finish. The lady in the picture is also believed to be the wife of a very important politician/merchant of the time. cant remember his name at the mo. It was also Leonardo's fave painting and he carried it around with him everywhere.
It's not so much the actual painting that is what makes them famous, as oppossed to the era that they represent.