Founded in 1929, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is one of the most famous museums in the world. It is also one of the most visited in New York City. When staying at the Concorde Hotel New York, you are less than a mile away, making it a quick ten-minute walk or taxi ride. The museum is 708,000 square feet with six floors to explore. Each floor is dedicated to a different art style. For many visitors, starting with the most famous paintings of the MoMA is a priority.
1. Starry Night, Van Gogh (1889)
As one of the most famous paintings at the MoMa, thousands of people come to the museum with the sole purpose of seeing Starry Night. Located on the fifth floor, it has been a part of the permanent collection since 1941. It is an oil on canvas painting that features Van Gogh’s iconic style of swirling brushwork and vibrant colors. It is widely believed that it captures the nighttime view from the artist’s studio during his time in an asylum.
2. Water Lilies, Claude Monet (1919)
In the twilight of Claude Monet’s life, he dedicated his painting to creating several dreamy panels featuring the lush lily ponds in his French garden. As an impressionist painter, there is not clear definition, creating a dream-like and immersive world that draws the viewer in. This panel is a part of a series Monet created. To see Water Lilies, head to the fifth floor of the MoMa.
3. Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, Pablo Picasso (1907)
Known for his revolutionary cubist painting style, Les Demoiselles d'Avignon is a beautiful specimen of Picasso’s work. Located on the fifth floor, this oil on canvas painting depicts five naked women representing Barcelona prostitutes in the street of Avinyó. As you gaze upon the painting, depth and perception are played with as angular shapes appear to jut out and sink back.
4. The Persistence of Memory, Salvador Dalí (1931)
At first glance, The Persistence of Memory may seem like just a picture of melting clocks. However, upon further inspection you will see it is so much more than that. As with other works by the surrealist painter, The Persistence of Memory features hidden meanings and symbolism that build layer upon layer. Each time you view the painting, you will notice more details and take away a new impression of this thought-provoking painting. This oil on canvas painting has been on display at the MoMA since 1934. You can find it on the fifth floor.
5. Campbell's Soup Can, Andy Warhol (1962)
The Pop Art movement was led by Andy Warhol. One of his most well-known works is this one featuring Campbell’s Soup. The artwork embodies Warhol’s approach to art and life, highlighting his fascination with mass production and consumer culture. This painting is actually 32 separate canvases, each depicting a single soup can. At the time of creation (1962), Campbell’s had 32 flavors of condensed soup, all of which are featured in these paintings. You can see the soup cans for yourself by heading to the fourth floor.
See the Most Famous Paintings of the MoMA
The MoMA’s painting collection consists of almost 200,000 pieces from artists around the world, spanning 150 years. While the museum continually rotates its exhibits, there are a few pieces that are continually on display. These six famous paintings of the MoMA are just some of the paintings that are always on display. Many are located on the fifth floor, making this a perfect place to start your exploration.
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