You’ve likely heard the quote made famous by poet Oscar Wilde, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” After all, entire genres of art have been created by one artist’s style inspiring another’s. As long as credit is given where credit is due, artistic recreations of famous works of art can be a powerful way to pay homage to some of the most talented and trailblazing artists in history.
These reproductions also allow the masses—who may never be able to visit the Louvre or Museum of Modern Art—to display some of the most famous works of art in their homes to appreciate each and every day. They don’t, however, have to look exactly like the real thing. In fact, a fresh take on a well-known piece of art can blend the past and the present together in a way that makes sense for modern design.
One of the most unique ways to recreate history’s most formative works of art is to create them in mosaic form. Individually hand-cut pieces of marble and natural stone, placed one by one, can transform into some of the world’s most recognizable images.
The most intriguing part about these famous works of art is the story they have to tell. The artists, their work, and their legacies intertwine into captivating tidbits that allow the viewer to dive deeper into the artwork and its meaning. Learn more about some of the most widely known art pieces throughout the world and see for yourself the magnificent impact these mosaic reproductions of brilliant works of art can have on your space’s interior design.
Girl with a Pearl Earring
Painted by Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer in 1665, Girl with a Pearl Earring bears an image that is widely recognized across the globe. As it turns out, however, the “girl” pictured is meant to represent a character, rather than an actual person.
Vermeer famously created pieces that demonstrated a day in the life—mostly of women—at the time. Girl with a Pearl Earring veered away from his typical style, focusing on the girl’s face, rather than any associated activity or backdrop.
To see it in person today, you’ll have to travel to the Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague, Netherlands. It is, however, available as a framed mosaic. Display this piece as a focal point or accent to commentary decor in hues of blue and yellow.
Gypsy Girl
Unlike most of the famous works of art on this list, the Gypsy Girl, in its original form, was a mosaic. While much of its history remains unknown, what is known tells a tumultuous tale.
Archeologists discovered—in large part—the Gypsy Girl mosaic in 1998 during an excavation of the ancient city known as Zeugma located in the modern-day Gaziantep Province of Turkey. Unfortunately, the mosaic was not completely intact and had been looted and brought to the United States decades prior.
In 2018, the Gypsy Girl made it back to Turkey to be put on display at the Zeugma Mosaic Museum. This symbolic piece has been recreated as a handcrafted mosaic to celebrate its meaning and importance to the area it represents.
Water Lilies
Fans of Impressionist art can largely thank Claude Monet for his contributions to the style that became so popular in the mid to late 1800s. He is arguably one of the most well-known artists in the world, having painted countless works of art over his long life and career.
Water Lilies isn’t one piece, but rather, a series that Monet spent his last years curating. In fact, his real-life inspired his art until the very end. The Water Lilies series is comprised of paintings that depict a pond on his property in Giverny, France.
Two of his Water Lilies sets bear particular importance, as he gifted them to France the day after Armistice Day (November 11, 1918), as a symbol of peace as World War I was coming to an end. They were displayed in the Musée de l’Orangerie shortly after his death.
This colorful mosaic reproduction is ideal for a tranquil, calming, and serene space. Whether it is a luxurious bath or a quiet office, this recreation from the Water Lilies series makes for a breathtaking work of art.
Portrait of Young Woman with Unicorn
This 14th-century painting by Raphael didn’t always appear as it does in the Galleria Borghese today. In fact, this famous portrait wasn’t even confirmed to be a work of art by Raphael for centuries, due in part to a complete reimagining of the painting by an unknown artist in the 17th century.
In the 20th century, restorers discovered that an earlier artist had taken several liberties with the piece, adding a cloak to the woman’s shoulders and replacing the unicorn in her hand with a wheel. With the help of X-ray technology, the restorers also discovered that the unicorn had, at one time, been depicted as a dog instead. There are many theories of the portrait’s purpose, as well as the identity of the woman, but no one can definitively say for sure.
This mosaic reproduction of Portrait of a Young Woman with Unicorn depicts today’s version of the painting with subtle differences that uniquely focus on the unknown woman.
Honoring Famous Works of Art in Your Home
It is rare that a famous work of art is created without a story. Whether it is a tale of the subject of the art or the artist themself, there is always more than meets the eye.
While we can appreciate fine art and the artists who create it, knowing the history, context, and inspiration for the artwork can deepen our understanding that much more. Whether it is a portrait, a landscape, or an artistic interpretation somewhere in between, a new take on the most famous works of art can elevate your space in innumerable ways.