Van Gogh\u2019s Sunflowers (Amsterdam)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\nhttps:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/ChOWuxSL3cJ\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAny Amsterdam trip deserves time in the Van Gogh Museum. Of the 5 versions of his infamous, painted (still life) sunflowers: the oil canvas in here is perhaps the most compelling. And at 95 cm x 73 cm in size, its presence is difficult to miss. Despite doubts from other artists, Vincent Van Gogh was determined to prove that an elegant piece of art can be painted with just one colour, in variations. That\u2019s why three different shades of yellow dominate the canvas and reel you in. It was completed in 1889 (the year before he died), and today, sunflowers remain his signature. And you can see it on Trafalgar\u2019s Amsterdam Explorer tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nStarry Night <\/strong>(The Museum of Modern Art<\/strong>, New York)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"Starry](\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2022\/08\/vangoghstudio_amsterdam_290362139_440161107929321_8407940178326761258_n-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAlthough Van Gogh\u2019s sunflowers became a phenomenon, he had even more art masterpieces. During his year-long stay at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-R\u00e9my (southern France) to restore his mind, he was struck by the delicate view from his window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The result was an oil painting on canvas in June 1889 \u2013 Starry Night \u2013 which captures it beautifully. We see planet Venus (to the left) and the bright moon to the right, perhaps just before sunrise. This was the first Van Gogh painting to enter the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan, New York (in 1941). And travellers and locals alike come here to gaze at this iconic example of Van Gogh\u2019s thick and bold brushstrokes; and lose themselves in the surreal swirling motions. Don\u2019t be surprised when it roots you to your spot in a trance. This is must-see art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RELATED CONTENT: Where to go for the best high art travel experiences<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mona Lisa (The Louvre, Paris)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"Mona](\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2022\/08\/eric-terrade-0WQOCx1g8hw-unsplash-1-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLeonardo Da Vinci\u2019s Mona Lisa is the world\u2019s most famous portrait. It is a Renaissance oil painting (on wood) – found in the Salle des \u00c9tats: the largest room in Paris\u2019 the Louvre Museum. It\u2019s believed to depict Lisa Gherardini (a wife of a silk merchant in Florence), but a debate swirls around the woman’s true identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her famous, enigmatic half-smile invites endless interpretation. What does it mean? It’s unclear where she\u2019s looking, which is a unique experience for the viewer. And the surreal mountainous background can be unsettling or calming (depending on your experience). To add to the mystery, the painting is neither signed nor dated by Da Vinci. The subtle contours, contrasts and smooth transitions between light and shade colours on her face is similarly enchanting. This is a prime example of Leonardo Da Vinci\u2019s technique, which he mastered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You simply must visit Mona Lisa when in Paris (hop on our Paris Explorer<\/a> tour to make sure).<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Birth of Venus (Uffizi Gallery Museum, Florence)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\nhttps:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/ChR7A1rqw9u\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\nPainted by Sandro Botticelli between 1482-85, The Birth of Venus is the first Renaissance painting on canvas. It can be found in the Uffizi Gallery Museum in the historic centre of Florence, Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remarkably, Botticelli\u2019s hypnotic (172.5 x 278.5 cm) work was the first full size female nude seen since antiquity, which captured critics\u2019 attention. It shows Venus (the Roman goddess of love, sex, beauty, and fertility) standing on a shell on the seashore, with her handmaid (Ora) by her side. A scene from Ovid\u2019s Metamorphoses. The violets in the meadow are a symbol of modesty and also used in love potions, adding to the physical and spiritual beauty of the piece. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sign up for our Italy Bellissimo tour<\/a> to explore Florence and Rome to discover more art masterpieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLas Meninas (Prado Museum, Madrid)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\nhttps:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Chajc60ue0W\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWithin seconds of entering Madrid\u2019s Prado Museum, your gaze inevitably fixes on Las Meninas (\u2018The Ladies-in-waiting\u2019), located in an immense gallery bathed in natural sunlight. Diego Vel\u00e1zquez painted this colossal oil canvas (318 cm \u00d7 276 cm) in 1656, and even weaves himself into his work. (You can spot him by the canvas to the left). It shows the main chamber in the Royal Alcazar of Madrid during the reign of King Philip IV of Spain, and includes his daughter Princess Infanta Margarita Teresa. While critics debate whether it is reality or illusion \u2013 its influence on the art world is undisputed. It immediately entered the Prado Museum on its foundation in 1819 and inspired Picasso\u2019s Las Meninas collection in 1957, when he created 58 variations based on Vel\u00e1zquez\u2019s work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GET INSPIRED BY: <\/em><\/strong>Spanish Wonder tour (includes Madrid)<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nMichelangelo\u2019s frescoes (The Sistine Chapel, Vatican City)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Any Amsterdam trip deserves time in the Van Gogh Museum. Of the 5 versions of his infamous, painted (still life) sunflowers: the oil canvas in here is perhaps the most compelling. And at 95 cm x 73 cm in size, its presence is difficult to miss. Despite doubts from other artists, Vincent Van Gogh was determined to prove that an elegant piece of art can be painted with just one colour, in variations. That\u2019s why three different shades of yellow dominate the canvas and reel you in. It was completed in 1889 (the year before he died), and today, sunflowers remain his signature. And you can see it on Trafalgar\u2019s Amsterdam Explorer tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although Van Gogh\u2019s sunflowers became a phenomenon, he had even more art masterpieces. During his year-long stay at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-R\u00e9my (southern France) to restore his mind, he was struck by the delicate view from his window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The result was an oil painting on canvas in June 1889 \u2013 Starry Night \u2013 which captures it beautifully. We see planet Venus (to the left) and the bright moon to the right, perhaps just before sunrise. This was the first Van Gogh painting to enter the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan, New York (in 1941). And travellers and locals alike come here to gaze at this iconic example of Van Gogh\u2019s thick and bold brushstrokes; and lose themselves in the surreal swirling motions. Don\u2019t be surprised when it roots you to your spot in a trance. This is must-see art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n RELATED CONTENT: Where to go for the best high art travel experiences<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Leonardo Da Vinci\u2019s Mona Lisa is the world\u2019s most famous portrait. It is a Renaissance oil painting (on wood) – found in the Salle des \u00c9tats: the largest room in Paris\u2019 the Louvre Museum. It\u2019s believed to depict Lisa Gherardini (a wife of a silk merchant in Florence), but a debate swirls around the woman’s true identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her famous, enigmatic half-smile invites endless interpretation. What does it mean? It’s unclear where she\u2019s looking, which is a unique experience for the viewer. And the surreal mountainous background can be unsettling or calming (depending on your experience). To add to the mystery, the painting is neither signed nor dated by Da Vinci. The subtle contours, contrasts and smooth transitions between light and shade colours on her face is similarly enchanting. This is a prime example of Leonardo Da Vinci\u2019s technique, which he mastered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You simply must visit Mona Lisa when in Paris (hop on our Paris Explorer<\/a> tour to make sure).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Painted by Sandro Botticelli between 1482-85, The Birth of Venus is the first Renaissance painting on canvas. It can be found in the Uffizi Gallery Museum in the historic centre of Florence, Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remarkably, Botticelli\u2019s hypnotic (172.5 x 278.5 cm) work was the first full size female nude seen since antiquity, which captured critics\u2019 attention. It shows Venus (the Roman goddess of love, sex, beauty, and fertility) standing on a shell on the seashore, with her handmaid (Ora) by her side. A scene from Ovid\u2019s Metamorphoses. The violets in the meadow are a symbol of modesty and also used in love potions, adding to the physical and spiritual beauty of the piece. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sign up for our Italy Bellissimo tour<\/a> to explore Florence and Rome to discover more art masterpieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Within seconds of entering Madrid\u2019s Prado Museum, your gaze inevitably fixes on Las Meninas (\u2018The Ladies-in-waiting\u2019), located in an immense gallery bathed in natural sunlight. Diego Vel\u00e1zquez painted this colossal oil canvas (318 cm \u00d7 276 cm) in 1656, and even weaves himself into his work. (You can spot him by the canvas to the left). It shows the main chamber in the Royal Alcazar of Madrid during the reign of King Philip IV of Spain, and includes his daughter Princess Infanta Margarita Teresa. While critics debate whether it is reality or illusion \u2013 its influence on the art world is undisputed. It immediately entered the Prado Museum on its foundation in 1819 and inspired Picasso\u2019s Las Meninas collection in 1957, when he created 58 variations based on Vel\u00e1zquez\u2019s work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n GET INSPIRED BY: <\/em><\/strong>Spanish Wonder tour (includes Madrid)<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nStarry Night <\/strong>(The Museum of Modern Art<\/strong>, New York)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMona Lisa (The Louvre, Paris)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Birth of Venus (Uffizi Gallery Museum, Florence)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Las Meninas (Prado Museum, Madrid)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Michelangelo\u2019s frescoes (The Sistine Chapel, Vatican City)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n