14 Famous Sad Paintings

A sad painting is a style of art that portrays feelings of sadness and despair. These heart-touching paintings give the viewer a sense of emotional pain. Various sad painting elements contribute to this feeling, like dark colors, dull backgrounds, rough textures, lonely subjects, shadows, empty land, barren trees, and remote figures. Each element has its way of creating a sense of sadness and emotion in a painting. 

The most famous sad paintings include "Christina's World" by Andrew Wyeth (1948), "The Old Guitarist" by Pablo Picasso (1904), "At Eternity's Gate" by Vincent van Gogh (1890), "The Wounded Deer" by Frida Kahlo (1946), "Automat" by Edward Hopper (1927), "In a Café (L'Absinthe)" by Edgar Degas (1876), "Melancholy" by Edvard Munch (1892), "Les Saltimbanques" by Gustav Doré (1874), "The Sad Message" by Peter Fendi (1838), "Inconsolable Grief" by Ivan Kramskoy (1884), "Mary Magdalen (Sorrow)" by Paul Cézanne (1867), "Seated Woman (Femme Assise)" by Pablo Picasso (1926), "La Melancolie" by Louis-Jean-François Lagrenée (1785), and "St. Jerome in his Study by Candlelight" by Aert van Leyden (1520).

These 14 famous sad paintings are listed below:

Christina's World by Andrew Wyeth (1948): This sad painting shows a lonely woman lying in a field with nothing around.

The Old Guitarist by Pablo Picasso (1904): This famous sad painting suggests sadness and loneliness by portraying a weak old man holding a guitar.

At Eternity's Gate by Vincent van Gogh (1890): This painting about sadness depicts an elderly man dropping his head on his hands, showing a sense of grief and sorrow.

The Wounded Deer by Frida Kahlo (1946): This famous painting about sadness features a deer combined with a human, portraying how a human would feel a wounded deer’s pain and suffering.

Automat by Edward Hopper (1927): This famous sad painting depicts a woman alone in the cafe, signifying the loneliness and despair in the picture.

In a Café (L'Absinthe) by Edgar Degas (1876): This painting about sadness features two people, with a woman looking unbearably sad and lonely.

Melancholy by Edvard Munch (1892): This sad painting shows a lone figure on a beach, emphasizing his loneliness and sadness.

Les Saltimbanques by Gustav Doré (1874): This famous painting about sadness portrays circus performers with sad and tired expressions.

The Sad Message by Peter Fendi (1838): This famous sad painting shows a family's sorrow after receiving bad news.

Inconsolable Grief by Ivan Kramskoy (1884): This painting about sadness depicts a sad woman mourning, highlighting her grief.

Mary Magdalen (Sorrow) by Paul Cézanne (1867): This sad painting features Mary Magdalene looking sad and deeply sorry.

Seated Woman (Femme Assise) by Pablo Picasso (1926): This famous sad painting portrays a woman in a sad and thoughtful pose.

La Mélancolie by Louis-Jean-François Lagrenée (1785): This painting about sadness shows a man with expressions representing sadness or depression.

St. Jerome in his Study by Candlelight by Aert van Leyden (1520): This sad painting depicts St.Jerome’s struggles and sadness as he is shown working in a room lit by a candlelight.

Christina's World by Andrew Wyeth (1948)

Christina’s World is a sad painting is famous for portraying feelings of isolation and ache. It features a woman named Christina in the middle of a big empty field, looking towards a farmhouse in the distance. The muted color of grass, rough textured land, large landscape, and Christina’s unwell-looking body make the scene quiet and lonely.

Andrew Wyeth inspired this painting by his neighbor Christina Olson, who has a degenerative muscle disease. Wyeth was amazed at her spirit and captured her strength in this sorrowful painting. Other notable sad paintings by Wyeth include "Wind from the Sea," "Winter 1946," and "Trodden Weed."

The Old Guitarist by Pablo Picasso (1904)

The Old Guitarist is one of Picasso’s saddest paintings, created during his famous blue period. The painting depicts an elderly, weak man leaning with the support of his guitar, with a frown on his face. The dull background colors and blue tones highlight poverty and sadness.

Picasso was inspired to create this painting by the hardships of his close friend Carlos Casegemas, who committed suicide. Other sad paintings by Picasso include "La Vie," "The Tragedy," and "Blue Nude."

At Eternity's Gate by Vincent van Gogh (1890)

An Eternity’s Gate is a deep sad painting that portrays heartfelt grief, showing an elderly man sitting with his head resting in his hands. This gesture of the man shows his deep sorrow and hopelessness. Using bold brushstrokes and a simple scene creates an impactful emotional feeling.

Vincent van Gogh’s time in the Saint Paul asylum, where he struggled with loneliness and mental illnesses, inspired him to make this painting. "Sorrowing Old Man," "Sorrow," and "Worn Out" are also some primary examples of his sad artwork.

The Wounded Deer by Frida Kahlo (1946)

The Wounded Deer is a sorrow painting that depicts Frida Kahlo’s personal pain through suggestive imagery. It shows a deer with Kahlo’s face standing in a forest, stabbed by multiple arrows, and has a deeply sad and painful face. The scene's vivid colors and rough background create a sense of suffering and sorrow.

This painting reflects Khalo’s struggles. She painted it after suffering from a failed spinal surgery that caused her immense physical and emotional pain. Some other famous sad paintings by Frida Kahlo include "The Broken Column," "Without Hope," and “The Two Fridas.”

Automat by Edward Hopper (1927)

Automat is a famous sad painting that depicts loneliness and thoughtfulness. It features a lonely woman sitting in a cafe, staring into a coffee cup. The cafe has a bright interior, which contrasts nicely with the night outside. Bright lights, dark shadows, and the woman’s thoughtful expressions highlight her loneliness.

Hopper was inspired to create this painting while exploring themes of solitude and isolation for his work. Some other popular sad paintings by Edward Hopper are "Nighthawks," "Morning Sun," and "Room in New York."

In a Café (L'Absinthe) by Edgar Degas (1876)

In a Cafe is a melancholic painting that gives off a sense of darkness and grief. It shows a man and a woman sitting in a cafe, with the woman looking sad and depressed. The muted colors, in contrast with the cafe’s interior, create a dull mood, capturing a moment of despair and highlighting loneliness and the effects of addiction.

Edgar kept a keen observation of modern life that brought out his darker sides and inspired him to create this painting. Other sorrow paintings by Edgar Degas include "The Absinthe Drinker," "Women Ironing," and “The Tub.”

Melancholy by Edward Munch (1892)

Melancholy is a sorrow painting that shows a man sitting on a beach, lost in deep thoughts. The man looks lonely and somewhat depressed. The color palette of this painting is dull and dark, representing the man’s extreme distress and agony. You can see him looking into the vast sea, lost in his deep thoughts and depression.

Edvard Munch is known for his sad and distressing painting style, which has deep meanings within it. Like “Melancholy,” he has also painted many other popular art pieces, like “The Scream” and “The Sick Child.” 

Les Saltimbanques by Gustav Doré (1874)

Les Saltimbanques is a popular painting and one of Dore’s saddest and most distressful artworks. It shows a group of circus clowns sitting in a dark corner with a grieving look. They look worn out and exhausted. It also shows a small child crying in his mother’s lap. The dark and muted color tones in this painting give the painting a more gloomy and grim feeling.

This art piece portrays the daily difficulty and hardships the circus clowns have to go through while seeming like a source of entertainment and laughs to the public. Dore’s other notable sad paintings include “Little Red Ridinghood”,  “The Bible,” and “A Friendly Tournament”.

The Sad Message by Peter Fendi (1838)

The Sad Message shows a family receiving some shocking news from a soldier. It seems that a man in the family had been martyred while fighting in war. Each of the family members seems to be embracing their grief differently. They are in utter disbelief, shock, and sobbing in sadness.

The dark color palette of this painting depicts a gloomy scene. Fendi used to explore human emotions in his work, which inspired him to create this painting. His other popular art pieces include "The Death of Prince Albert" and "Maternal Love."

Inconsolable Grief by Ivan Kramskoy (1884)

Inconsolable Grief is a sorrow painting that portrays a woman mourning with her head resting on her hands. She be is sitting in extreme sorrow, which is causing her emotional pain. The dark and empty background highlights her loneliness, while the blend of bright lights and dark shadows gives the scene an emotional impact.

Kramskoy loved to explore human emotions, which inspired him to create this portrait with psychological depth. Other famous sad paintings by Kramskoy include "Unknown Woman," "Christ in the Desert," and "Contemplation."

Mary Magdalen (Sorrow) by Paul Cézanne (1867)

Mary Magdalen is a deep sad painting that features Mary Magdalen in a state of guilt and sadness. She is shown in a state of internal suffering with her head bowed down, hands clasped in a prayer state, and her eyes closed. The dark muted background highlights her sad expressions and creates a sense of sorrow and repentance in the scene.

Paul Cézanne was inspired for this painting when he explored religious and emotional themes. Other sad artworks by Cézanne include "The Eternal Feminine," "The Murder," and "The Abandoned House."

Seated Woman (Femme Assise) by Pablo Picasso (1926)

Seated Woman is a sorrow painting that shows a woman in a thoughtful and sad pose. Her foul expressions and the dark background with muted colors convey a sense of emotional depth and highlight the sadness and grief within the woman.

Picasso wanted to reflect his personal struggles through his artwork, which inspired him to create this painting. Other deep sad paintings by Picasso include "Weeping Woman," "The Tragedy," and "Woman with Folded Hands."

La Melancolie by Louis-Jean-François Lagrenée (1785)

La Melancolie is a melancholic painting that shows an isolated figure with a sad expression. The figure seems to seated with her head rested on her hands, surrounded by symbols of loss. The soft colors and muted background give the painting a reflective mood and create and emotional impact. 

Lagrenée got the inspiration for this painting while exploring emotional human experiences and acts. Other notable sad artworks by Lagrenée include "The Penitent Magdalene," "Time Unveiling Truth," and "The Abduction of Europa."

St. Jerome in his Study by Candlelight by Aert van Leyden (1520)

St. Jerome in his study by candlelight is a  famous sad painting that portrays St. Jerome in a dark room with a candle as the only source of light. The light from the candle falls on his face to draw all attention to his thoughtful expression. The darkness and slight shadows from the candlelight enhance the sad and lonely feel of the painting.

Leyden created this painting because he was inspired by St. Jerome's thinking skills and his ability to stay sharp-minded even during sad times. Other famous sad artworks by Aert van Leyden include "The Last Judgment," "The Crucifixion," and "The Card Players."

How is a Sad Painting Created?

To create a sad painting, you must combine different visual elements and artistic techniques to give the viewer a sense of sadness and grief. Many artists choose to use a muted color palette, with cool and dark tones, as they are known for conveying emotions and a sense of sorrow. There is a minimal use of vibrant and bright colors in a sad painting. 

The texture of the colors and elements also needs to be considered, as it plays a crucial role in a sad painting. Rough textures can add a feeling of discomfort and sorrow to a painting. On the other hand, smoother textures add a quieter and more reflective sense of sadness. Another key element is composition, as placing the main subject in an isolated place in the painting, away from every other subject, can give a feeling of loneliness. 

Additional details on the main subject, like fowl or sorrowful expressions, poses that emphasize emptiness, and gestures that signify loneliness, are also important in a sad painting. Using all these visual elements together creates a powerful emotional impact and conveys a sense of despair, sadness, and grief to the viewer. 

What Colors Are Used to Create Sad Art?

Artists typically use a palette of cool and muted colors like brown, grey, and blue to create sad art as they are known for being associated with sadness and isolation. Adding dark tones with black and deep purple can also give the art a sense of sorrow. Greens and washed-out yellow can also enhance the overall emotional impact. 

Which Art Movement is Connected With The Rise of Sad Paintings?

Expressionism is the art movement most connected to the rise of sad paintings. The Expressionism Art Movement emerged in the 20th century and was focused on representing raw and emotional expressions. Artists used exaggerated expressions, bold colors, and dramatic blends to create a sense of sadness and despair. 

What are the Different Emotions that a Painting Can Evoke?

A painting can evoke emotions like sadness, anger, love, happiness, fear, and peace. An emotion is genuinely expressed when all the different elements of a painting come together perfectly. For example, bright colors and smooth textures can evoke happiness. In contrast, using bold colors like black and red with chaotic compositions can express anger. The subject matter and textural lines also have a crucial impact on the overall emotion of a painting. 

What are Examples of Emotional Paintings?

Examples of emotional paintings include "The Scream" by Edvard Munch, "Starry Night" by Vincent van Gogh, "Guernica" by Pablo Picasso, and "The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt. Emotional paintings express different emotions, like happiness, sadness, anger, fear, love, peace, or awe, using different colors, compositions, and textures. 

What are Examples of Suicidal Paintings?

Some famous examples of suicidal paintings are "Death of Marat" by Jacques-Louis David, "Sorrowing Old Man (At Eternity's Gate)" by Vincent van Gogh, and "The Suicide" by Édouard Manet. Suicidal paintings are artworks that portray themes linked to suicide and hopelessness. These paintings often use dull colors and sharp compositions. 

What are the examples of famous paintings about depression and anxiety?

Examples of famous paintings about depression and anxiety include "The Scream" by Edvard Munch, "Melancholy" by Edvard Munch, "The Blue Room" by Pablo Picasso, and "Noir et Blanche" by Man Ray.

What are The Examples of Oil Paintings about Sadness?

Popular examples of oil paintings about sadness include "Christina's World" by Andrew Wyeth, "The Old Guitarist" by Pablo Picasso, "At Eternity's Gate" by Vincent van Gogh, and "Inconsolable Grief" by Ivan Kramskoy.

What are The Examples of Acrylic Paintings about Sadness?

Some famous examples of acrylic paintings about sadness include "The Wounded Deer" by Frida Kahlo, "Portrait of a Young Man in Grief" by Kerry James Marshall, "The Cradle" by Lora Zombie, and "Solitude" by Jack Vettriano.

What are The Examples of Sad Painting Ideas?

Some primary examples of sad canvas painting ideas include a lonely figure standing in the rain, a dead flower in a barren land, a person sitting alone on a bench in an empty park, a figure crying in a graveyard, an empty dark room with a single chair, and a figure sitting alone with his head on his hands. 

What are The Examples of Paintings Showing Suffering?

Popular examples of paintings showing suffering are "Guernica" by Pablo Picasso, "The Third of May 1808" by Francisco Goya, "Saturn Devouring His Son" by Francisco Goya, and "The Wounded Deer" by Frida Kahlo.

What are The Examples of Art That Evokes Anger?

Examples of art that evoke anger include "Guernica" by Pablo Picasso, "The Raft of the Medusa" by Théodore Géricault, "Liberty Leading the People" by Eugène Delacroix, and "The Massacre at Chios" by Eugène Delacroix.

What are The Names of Famous Artists who Suffered from Depression and Anxiety?

Some names of famous artists who suffered from depression and anxiety include Vincent van Gogh, Edvard Munch, Frida Kahlo, Mark Rothko, and Jackson Pollock. All of them are well-known for their personal struggles, and they express them through their artwork.