# Jigsaw Puzzle artwork & why is it so meh. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 19, 2006, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jigsaw-puzzle-artwork-why-is-it-so-meh/357470 "2006-05-19T23:22:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jigsaw-puzzle-artwork-why-is-it-so-meh/357470/1 "2006-05-19T23:22:03Z")
I have just gotten into the world of jigsaw puzzles ( courtesy of the piles and piles of boxes of them at garage sales for a quarter or so.) one thing I cannot help but notice is the pictures in the artwork are so…starving artist. ( or ultra cutesy). Why is this? Is it possible to get a jigsaw puzzle of say, I dunno, the Mona Lisa or some other Big Named Art work? ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jigsaw-puzzle-artwork-why-is-it-so-meh/357470/2 "2006-05-19T23:23:57Z")
Shirley, you hack. [Google is your friend.](http://www.gamesbyjames.biz/product_info.php/products_id/1837) ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jigsaw-puzzle-artwork-why-is-it-so-meh/357470/3 "2006-05-20T00:24:23Z")
I’ve never been a jigsaw puzzle fan, but I have one of a unicorn my mom gave me when I was about 12 and loved unicorns. It’s a nice fanciful picture, but really nothing special, I guess. Your post just reminded me I have had the damn thing for 33 years or so and the box has never been opened. I’ve always wanted to try one of the 3-D jigsaw puzzles - those look like a good way to drive yourself crazy. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jigsaw-puzzle-artwork-why-is-it-so-meh/357470/4 "2006-05-20T01:09:32Z")
I rather liked [this](http://www.jigsawgallery.com/details.php?refnum=R17409&action=add&PHPSESSID=0ade9dedb247cb16a725c0a83c0f3c8f) painting when I saw it, so I bought a jigsaw puzzle of it. 5000 pieces. Took me a month. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jigsaw-puzzle-artwork-why-is-it-so-meh/357470/5 "2006-05-20T01:25:41Z")
I can’t wait until we have a house with a room we can keep completely cat free (damn but do they LOVE to eat jigsaw pieces) that we can put a big table in that will be just for jigsaws. I love the damned things. ---
**Author:** ![blueserge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@blueserge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blueserge)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jigsaw-puzzle-artwork-why-is-it-so-meh/357470/6 "2006-05-20T01:42:25Z")
Beware the jigsaw puzzles you buy at garage sales! Sometimes they have only 499 pieces, but you won’t know it until you’ve interlocked the other 498. :sigh: When I was about 8, I developed an interest in the _Titanic_. My grandmother gave me a jigsaw puzzle that Christmas of the _New York Times_ front page announcing the sinking of the ship. It was tough because most of that page was taken up with a passenger list in 4-point type. I wish I still had it, or that I had sealed it after I finished it. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jigsaw-puzzle-artwork-why-is-it-so-meh/357470/7 "2006-05-20T21:19:02Z")
I don’t mind paying a quarter for a 100-500 piece puzzle and it is missing a piece or two. It is still a great way to keep busy for an hour or so. Can’t beat that deal, imho. Picked up 5 more puzzles today at garage sales. Hooray for me! ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jigsaw-puzzle-artwork-why-is-it-so-meh/357470/8 "2006-05-20T21:20:06Z")
**Robot Arm** that picture is amazing! I can’t beleive it took you only a month to complete that puzzle! I think it would be a good year before my brain just turned to goo. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jigsaw-puzzle-artwork-why-is-it-so-meh/357470/9 "2006-05-20T21:22:39Z")
Thanks for that link to Jigsaw Gallery. Some cool stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jigsaw-puzzle-artwork-why-is-it-so-meh/357470/10 "2006-05-20T21:34:21Z")
I just got a cool one with Edward Gorey artwork from _Dracula_, 1000 pieces. I’m not interested in less than at least 750. Even though I hate little pieces. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jigsaw-puzzle-artwork-why-is-it-so-meh/357470/11 "2006-05-20T21:37:41Z")
I love puzzles, but I have nowhere I can sit and work on the things. My cat would jump up and take a nap on the pieces. ---
**Author:** ![JudithKD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f6c823/32.png) [@JudithKD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JudithKD)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jigsaw-puzzle-artwork-why-is-it-so-meh/357470/12 "2006-05-20T23:59:39Z")
If you’re interested in jigsaws with fine art images, you can find them here: [http://www.puzzlehouse.com/](http://www.puzzlehouse.com/) jkd ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jigsaw-puzzle-artwork-why-is-it-so-meh/357470/13 "2006-05-21T01:30:26Z")
> [@blueserge](#): > > Beware the jigsaw puzzles you buy at garage sales! Sometimes they have only 499 pieces, but you won’t know it until you’ve interlocked the other 498. :sigh: > > When I was about 8, I developed an interest in the _Titanic_. My grandmother gave me a jigsaw puzzle that Christmas of the _New York Times_ front page announcing the sinking of the ship. It was tough because most of that page was taken up with a passenger list in 4-point type. I wish I still had it, or that I had sealed it after I finished it. Hey, isn’t the Titanic jigsaw puzzle SUPPOSED to missing a few pieces, right? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jigsaw-puzzle-artwork-why-is-it-so-meh/357470/14 "2006-05-21T04:26:42Z")
> [@Robot Arm](#): > > I rather liked [this](http://www.jigsawgallery.com/details.php?refnum=R17409&action=add&PHPSESSID=0ade9dedb247cb16a725c0a83c0f3c8f) painting when I saw it, so I bought a jigsaw puzzle of it. > > 5000 pieces. Took me a month. Hey, I have that exact same puzzle hanging on my wall! But yeah, there are lots of jigsaw puzzles out there of fine art or photographs. Click on the “category” link on the side of **Robot Arm** ’s link and there’s a good selection to choose from. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jigsaw-puzzle-artwork-why-is-it-so-meh/357470/15 "2006-05-21T06:49:42Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > **Robot Arm** that picture is amazing! I can’t beleive it took you only a month to complete that puzzle! I think it would be a good year before my brain just turned to goo. I had just moved into a new apartment and I couldn’t get my furniture delivered for three weeks. I had a mattress, pillow, sleeping bag, and that puzzle. For 5000 pieces, I think it was relatively easy. The ones that drive me nuts are the landscapes where you finish most of it pretty quickly, and then take forever to finish all the featureless blue sky. > [@Sublight](#): > > Hey, I have that exact same puzzle hanging on my wall! I saw the painting in the Louvre and really liked it. I did a little research on the artist and found out he did four very similar paintings, with the paintings-within-the-painting depicting landmarks from different eras of Rome’s history. (And I’m not certain that the one I saw is the same one as the puzzle.) The angles and perspective appeal to my art and architecture geekeries, sort of like Escher. (Although, I had enough time studying the puzzle to notice some mistakes; knowlege of perspective was not yet perfect, I guess.) Once I started looking, I found out one of the other paintings is at the Museum of Fine Arts right here in Boston. Two down, two to go. ---
**Author:** ![Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mirror_Image_egamI_rorriM)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jigsaw-puzzle-artwork-why-is-it-so-meh/357470/16 "2006-05-21T07:26:56Z")
My dad got a puzzle with a photomosaic version of van Gogh’s “Starry Night” on it for Christmas. All the little photos were space themed–galaxies, rockets, views of the Earth from space, craters on the Moon, astronauts, etc. It was damn near impossible, because there was really no way to do any kind of big picture forming, it was all “Ok, I need to find the other half of this astronaut guy.” The fact that there were a lot of repeat photos didn’t help at all.