What's your favorite painting/artist and why?

[Violette]

Originally Posted by T4Texas

Wow! What a great lot of art lovers you are! I have enjoyed the posts and the wide variety of art represented.
Several years ago I went to a traveling MOMA exhibit that came to Houston. There were many famous paintings including Starry Night by Van Gogh. I had seen the painting many times in books and frankly wasn't a huge Van Gogh fan. But as I stood in front if it, you could see every single brush stroke and suddenly I felt overwhelmed with emotion. It was like I was standing there watching him paint it and you could feel the raw power, love, pain and desire for perfection all in one moment. I actually started to tear up right there in the museum. I have never felt that way about a piece of art before or since, and feel it was one of those rare moments in life when your soul is truly touched by something.

I felt very similarly when I saw Il Davide (I actually saw all three, but I am speaking of the one in the Accademia). Standing in front of it was very moving. There is a reason it is such an art cliche.

Wow, love this thread! So many artists came to mind, here's only a few:

Caravaggio: for his dramatic use of chiaroscuro
Munch: well, b/c, who hasn't felt like that guy in The Scream?
Michelangelo, Bernini, Rodin: I think sculpture is magical (Come on now, Ecstasy of Saint Teresa--amazing!)
O'Keeffe: she was just pretty damn cool. Strong. Brilliant.
Kahlo: one of my absolute favorites. Her work touches me deeply.
My kid: I am biased, but I think she is brilliant!


Oh, I haven't even gotten to the photographers. And don't get me started on dancers...