In this case I’d put Michelangelo’s David pretty high up. Probably not quite as famous as The Scream, but everyone’s heard of Michelangelo (mainly as that ninja turtle who likes to party, but still…). Also, I’ve only ever heard of the sculpture referred to as “Michelangelo’s David” – never just “David” – so anyone who knows the name of the piece probably also knows the artist.
You’d think so, but then you’d find that most people think that it features Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and Humphrey Bogart and is called “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”.
Most of those people also owned a Patrick Nagel print. As an aside, I couldn’t remember his name, but I got it by googling “ubiquitous 80s girl painting”.
I’m shocked that no one’s mentioned Monet’s Waterlilies. Again, it’s a series rather than a single painting, but I think that actually makes it more well-known since several cities have variations on the theme. As with others, I don’t know how many people actually know the name of the painting or the artist, but I think most people would recognize the painting if they saw it. It’s practically a cliche that people who don’t know much about art still like “those paintings with the lily pads.”
I also think Van Gogh’s Sunflowers has to be very high on the list; higher than Starry Night since it’s more likely to be reproduced in poster/bath towel form.
I’ve seen the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, and I don’t think there are any paintings next to it. IIRC, it’s on its own wall.
If you’re referring to this painting of Washington, the artist is Emanuel Leutze.
Until this thread, i had neither heard of nor seen “The Scream.” My vote was for “The Last Supper” or “Starry Night”
I don’t know the title nor the artist, but “that evolution painting” has been reproduced and parodied countless times. Here’s one example.