Top 20 Best Painters of All Time

With thousands of painters across centuries, deciding who truly deserves the title of “the best” feels impossible. Some are known for their technique, others for emotion or influence.

But a lot of lists focus only on the old masters, or only on trending names, missing out on the bigger picture.

So instead of narrowing it down to just one “best,” here are 20 painters worth knowing, each with their own style, story, and impact.

Old Masters & Classics (Foundational Artists)

1. Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519)

Leonardo da Vinci is often considered the most famous painter in history, and for good reason. His work combined science, anatomy, and extraordinary technical skill, resulting in paintings that still capture attention centuries later.

His most iconic piece, the Mona Lisa, is known for its mysterious smile and subtle detail. It remains one of the most visited artworks in the world. The Last Supper is another masterpiece, widely studied for its composition and emotion.

Although he completed relatively few paintings, each one shows a deep understanding of light, form, and the human body. His notebooks and sketches also influenced generations of artists and thinkers.

“You can be interested in expressing yourself through more than one practice, and that creativity does not have to be tied to just one discipline. I think that Leonardo da Vinci was maybe the first artist to live by that principle, and I’m trying to do that as well.” - Virgil Abloh.

2. Michelangelo (1475–1564)

Michelangelo is best known for his sculptures, but his paintings also rank among the greatest works of art ever created. His most famous project, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, showcases his ability to combine powerful human figures with complex storytelling.

Even though painting was not his main focus, Michelangelo mastered it quickly. Works like The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment show his deep understanding of anatomy, movement, and emotion.

He approached art with intensity and precision, leaving behind a legacy that shaped the High Renaissance. His influence can still be seen in how artists represent the human form today.

3. Raphael (1483–1520)

Raphael was a master of composition and balance, known for creating calm, harmonious scenes that captured both beauty and clarity. He played a key role in the High Renaissance and was highly respected during his lifetime.

One of his most famous works, The School of Athens, shows great thinkers of history and reflects his skill in perspective and architectural space. He was also known for his Madonna paintings, which combined grace, softness, and emotional warmth.

Although he died at just 37, Raphael left behind a large body of work that continues to influence artists. His oil paintings are still admired for their structure, elegance, and idealized figures.

4. Johannes Vermeer (1632–1675)

Johannes Vermeer is known for his quiet, intimate scenes and his masterful use of light. He often painted everyday moments, usually set in domestic interiors, with a level of detail and atmosphere that makes his work feel timeless.

His most famous painting, Girl with a Pearl Earring, is celebrated for its softness, mystery, and delicate lighting. Other well-known works include The Milkmaid and View of Delft.

Vermeer produced relatively few paintings, but each one reflects a careful approach to composition, color, and mood. His ability to capture stillness and subtle emotion has made him one of the most admired artists of the Dutch Golden Age.

5. Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669)

Rembrandt is considered one of the greatest painters of the Dutch Golden Age, known for his deep understanding of light, shadow, and human emotion. His portraits, biblical scenes, and self-portraits reveal a strong sense of character and storytelling.

One of his most famous works, The Night Watch, stands out for its dynamic composition and dramatic lighting. He also created around 80 self-portraits throughout his life, offering a personal view of his artistic and emotional journey.

Rembrandt’s work is marked by rich textures, expressive faces, and a naturalistic approach that continues to inspire painters and viewers alike.

Modern Legends (19th–early 20th century)

6. Claude Monet (1840–1926)

Claude Monet was a founder of the Impressionist movement and one of the first artists to paint outdoors to capture natural light and changing weather. His work focused on how we see rather than what we see, often painting the same scene at different times of day.

His painting Impression, Sunrise gave the Impressionist movement its name. He is also widely known for his Water Lilies series, which he painted in his garden at Giverny, as well as scenes of haystacks, the Rouen Cathedral, and the Japanese bridge.

Monet’s loose brushwork, bright colors, and focus on atmosphere helped change the course of modern painting. His influence can still be seen in how artists approach light, color, and nature.

7. Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890)

Vincent van Gogh is one of the most recognized names in art, known for his emotional intensity, bold colors, and expressive brushwork. His paintings often reflect his personal struggles and deep connection to the world around him.

His most famous work, The Starry Night, was painted during his stay at a mental asylum and remains one of the most iconic images in art history. Other well-known pieces include Sunflowers, Café Terrace at Night, and many self-portraits.

Although he sold very few paintings during his lifetime, van Gogh went on to become one of the most influential figures in modern art. His unique style and raw emotion continue to resonate with audiences around the world.

8. Edvard Munch (1863–1944)

Edvard Munch is best known for exploring themes like anxiety, love, and death through bold colors and emotional expression. His work is often seen as a bridge between Symbolism and Expressionism.

His most famous painting, The Scream, captures a deep sense of inner turmoil and has become one of the most iconic images in modern art. Munch created several versions of this piece using different materials, including paint and pastel.

Many of his works draw from personal experiences and psychological themes. His style, marked by dramatic lines and haunting figures, helped shape the direction of modern art in the 20th century.

9. Gustav Klimt (1862–1918)

Gustav Klimt was a leading figure of the Vienna Secession movement, known for combining symbolism, decorative detail, and sensuality in his work. His use of gold leaf and ornamental patterns made his style instantly recognizable.

His most famous painting, The Kiss, blends flattened forms with rich textures and emotional intimacy. Other notable works include Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I and Judith and the Head of Holofernes.

Klimt often focused on the female form, exploring themes of beauty, love, and identity. His work influenced later movements like Art Nouveau and continues to attract attention for its elegance and boldness.

10. Henri Matisse (1869–1954)

Henri Matisse was a key figure in modern art, best known for his bold use of color and fluid, simplified shapes. He was one of the leaders of Fauvism, a movement that focused on expressive color over realistic detail.

Some of his most famous works include Dance, The Red Room, and Woman with a Hat. Later in life, after surgery left him bedridden, he created his well-known paper cut-outs, including The Snail and Blue Nude II.

Matisse believed that art should be a source of joy and balance. His work, whether through paint or cut paper, remains celebrated for its energy, clarity, and innovation.

20th Century Icons

11. Pablo Picasso (1881–1973)

Pablo Picasso was one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, known for constantly reinventing his style. He co-founded Cubism, helped develop collage, and played a major role in shaping modern art.

His most famous works include Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, which broke traditional rules of perspective, and Guernica, a powerful response to the bombing of a Spanish town during the civil war. He also produced thousands of paintings, drawings, sculptures, and prints throughout his long career.

Picasso’s work covered many styles and subjects, but he always pushed boundaries. His ability to evolve and experiment made him a key figure in the history of art.

12. Salvador Dalí (1904–1989)

Salvador Dalí was a leading figure in the Surrealist movement, known for his dreamlike imagery, technical precision, and eccentric personality. His work often explored the unconscious mind, time, and symbolism.

His most famous painting, The Persistence of Memory, features melting clocks in a barren landscape and has become a symbol of Surrealism. Other notable works include Swans Reflecting Elephants and The Elephants.

Dalí also worked in sculpture, film, and design, but painting remained central to his artistic identity. His imagination, attention to detail, and unmistakable style continue to influence artists across many fields.

13. Frida Kahlo (1907–1954)

Frida Kahlo is known for her deeply personal and symbolic paintings, often exploring themes like pain, identity, and culture. Her self-portraits reflect both her physical suffering and emotional resilience, shaped by a life of illness and personal struggle.

Her most famous works include The Two Fridas, Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, and Broken Column. She often included elements of Mexican folklore, nature, and surreal symbolism in her art.

Though her work was sometimes overshadowed during her lifetime, Kahlo is now recognized as one of the most important artists of the 20th century. Her bold style and honest storytelling continue to inspire people around the world.

14. Jackson Pollock (1912–1956)

Jackson Pollock was a major figure in Abstract Expressionism and is best known for his drip painting technique. Instead of using traditional brushstrokes, he poured and splattered oil-based paint directly onto large canvases laid on the floor.

His most famous works include No. 5, 1948 and Autumn Rhythm, which showcase his energetic, layered style. Pollock’s approach focused on movement, improvisation, and the physical act of painting itself.

His work challenged the way people understood painting and helped shift the center of the art world to New York. Pollock’s influence is still felt in contemporary art and performance-based practices.

15. Andy Warhol (1928–1987)

Andy Warhol was a leading figure in the Pop Art movement, known for turning everyday objects and celebrities into iconic works of art. He explored the connection between consumer culture, mass production, and artistic expression.

His most famous pieces include Campbell’s Soup Cans, Marilyn Diptych, and Eight Elvises. Warhol used silkscreen printing to create repeated images, blurring the line between commercial design and fine art.

Warhol’s studio, The Factory, became a hub for artists, musicians, and actors. His bold style, fascination with fame, and unique take on modern life made him one of the most recognizable artists of the 20th century.

Contemporary Masters (Living Artists)

16. Gerhard Richter (born 1932)

Gerhard Richter is one of the most influential living painters, known for his wide-ranging style and constant experimentation. He moves between photorealistic painting, abstraction, and color studies, often blurring the lines between them.

His best-known works include Betty, a soft-focus portrait of his daughter, and his large abstract squeegee paintings. He also explored themes of memory and history through series like the Birkenau paintings and October 18, 1977.

Richter’s ability to shift between techniques and subjects has made him a central figure in post-war and contemporary art. His work is held in major museums around the world and continues to shape the conversation around what painting can be.

17. Yayoi Kusama (born 1929)

Yayoi Kusama is known for her bold use of repetition, polka dots, and immersive installations that explore themes like infinity, obsession, and self-identity. Her work spans painting, sculpture, and large-scale environments.

Some of her most iconic pieces include her Infinity Mirror Rooms, pumpkin sculptures, and colorful net paintings. Her style is instantly recognizable and often rooted in personal experiences and hallucinations she has had since childhood.

Kusama has become one of the most celebrated living artists, with major exhibitions around the world and a dedicated museum in Tokyo. Her art is playful, emotional, and visually powerful, attracting audiences across generations.

“My art originates from hallucinations only I can see. I translate the hallucinations and obsessional images that plague me into sculptures and paintings.” - Yayoi Kusama.

18. David Hockney (born 1937)

David Hockney is one of the most influential British painters of the 20th and 21st centuries. He is known for his colorful portraits, California pool scenes, and constant exploration of new media and techniques.

His most famous works include Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) and A Bigger Splash. Hockney has also experimented with photography, iPad drawings, and large digital compositions, always finding new ways to approach image-making.

Throughout his career, Hockney has focused on capturing everyday moments with clarity and bold color. His work is both personal and accessible, and he continues to create from his studio in Normandy, France.

19. Julie Mehretu (born 1970)

Julie Mehretu creates large abstract paintings that layer architectural plans, news images, and energetic marks. Her work often feels like a map that captures movement, conflict, and crowds.

Notable series such as Stadia and Mogamma combine airbrushed photographs with sweeping lines, dashes, and dots, inviting viewers to trace overlapping stories within each canvas. Mehretu’s mark-making reflects her interest in geography, politics, and social change.

Her paintings appear in major museums worldwide, and she has received honors like the MacArthur Fellowship. Mehretu continues to expand how abstraction can speak to current events and collective experience.

20. Jenny Saville (born 1970)

Jenny Saville is known for her powerful oil paintings of the human body. Her work is big, bold, and brutally honest. She paints flesh in a way that’s raw and real—stretch marks, bruises, folds, and all.

She became well known in the 1990s as part of the Young British Artists, and she’s still one of the most important painters working today. Her large-scale canvases often show bodies in unusual poses or multiple layers, making them feel intense and emotional.

Saville uses thick brushstrokes and builds up layers of oil paint to create a heavy, physical look. You can see the influence of classical painters like Rubens, but her subjects and style are completely modern.

Two of her best-known works are Propped and Fulcrum, both showing her unique way of painting the body—unfiltered, vulnerable, and strong all at once.

Conclusion

Across centuries, these 20 painters have shaped how we understand art, from the detailed realism of the Renaissance to the bold abstraction of today. While some, like Leonardo da Vinci, left behind only a handful of known works, others, like Picasso, produced over 20,000 pieces in their lifetime. Yayoi Kusama still creates daily at age 95, and Gerhard Richter holds the record for the most expensive painting sold by a living artist.

Their influence stretches far beyond galleries. You’ll find echoes of their styles in fashion, design, and even album covers. And if you’re curious about today’s emerging talents, some of the artists behind Photo2Painting are carrying that creative spark forward.

They turn your photos into hand-painted artworks—portraits, pets, places, and more—using real brushes and real canvases. Who knows, maybe one of them will be the next big name in the art world. Your custom painting could be the start of something worth remembering.

Feel free to explore the styles and see what kind of masterpiece you could bring home.