Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh voted greatest artwork of all time
Revealed: Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh is voted the greatest artwork of all time ahead of Banksy and Rodin – but where does YOUR favourite masterpiece rank?
- The Scream by Edvard Munch and The Splash by David Hockney are in the top 20
Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh has been voted the greatest artwork of all time ahead of works by Banksy and Monet, according to a new survey.
Considered one of the most popular of the post-Impressionist painters, Van Gogh painted Starry Night in 1889 during his stay at the asylum of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole near Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. It came top of the poll with 44 per cent of the vote.
Banksy’s Girl with Balloon came in close second place, getting 42 per cent of the vote. Arguably the illusive artist’s most iconic series of murals, the artworks depict a young girl reaching for a heart-shaped balloon just out of her grasp – an allegory of hope, love, and freedom. First appearing around London in 2002, the image has become an icon of 21st Century art.
In third place comes French sculptor, Augustine Rodin’s most famous work, The Thinker. Created in 1904, the bronze sculpture depicts a nude male figure sitting on a rock, with his right elbow placed on his left thigh, holding the weight of his chin on the back of his right hand.
The top 20 list also includes classic paintings and sculptures, such as The Scream by Edvard Munch and The Night Watch by Rembrandt, alongside more contemporary works like The Splash by David Hockney and the Louise Bourgeois Maman series, which can be found in Japan, the US, Canada, the UAE and Europe. See the full list below.
Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh has been voted the greatest artwork of all time, according to a new survey (number one)
Banksy’s Girl with Balloon came in close second place, getting 42 per cent of the vote (number 2)
French sculptor, Augustine Rodin’s most famous work, The Thinker (number 3)
THE 20 GREATEST ARTWORKS, ACCORDING TO BRITS
1. The Starry Night by Van Gogh – 44%
2. Girl with Balloon by Banksy – 42%
3. The Thinker by Augustine Rodin – 36%
4. The Scream by Edvard Munch – 35%
5. Water Lilies by Claude Monet – 33%
6. Venus de Milo by Alexandros of Antioch – 32%
7. The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusa – 27%
8. Going to the Match by L.S.Lowry – 25%
9. Whistler’s Mother by James McNeill Whistler – 24%
10. Angel of the North by Anthony Gormley – 24%
11. The Night Watch by Rembrandt – 22%
12. The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dalí – 22%
13. Fearless Girl by Kristen Visbal – 18%
14. Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird by Frida Kahlo – 17%
15. Guernica by Picasso – 15%
16, The Kiss by Gustav Klimt – 15%
17. Jimson Weed by Georgia O’Keefe – 12%
18. Cloud Gate by Anish Kapoor – 12%
19. The Splash by David Hockney – 12%
20. Maman by Louise Bourgeois – 9%
The survey found that two thirds (68 per cent) of Brits consider themselves to be art lovers, with 20 per cent of the 2,000 polled admitting that they love exploring their creative side through art, music and drama.
93 per cent go so far as to say that having the space and freedom to be creative is important to their wellbeing.
The survey was conducted by Jacksons of Yorkshire, who have teamed up with charity Create to launch their Feeding Creativity campaign, aiming to help people facing challenges through creative art projects.
Half (49 per cent) of the nation say they are inspired by both classic and contemporary art works, with a quarter (28 per cent) preferring classic pieces. One in four (23 per cent) turn to contemporary art for a creative boost.
But despite being an art loving nation, 84 per cent wish they were more artistic with one in three (30 per cent) keen to develop their creative side further, but unsure how to go about it.
Nicky Goulder, CEO of Create, which runs creative arts programmes across the UK to connect, empower and upskill people who don’t normally get the chance to be creative, said: ‘It is clear from the research that Brits not only love great art but also understand the value of creativity.
‘People need to create. Creativity impacts wellbeing, emotional and mental health. It builds skills, brings joy and reduces isolation. It allows us to think differently, to express ourselves, and to be heard. It raises aspirations and – according to industry leaders including the World Economic Forum – is a core skill for business.
‘There is significant evidence for the role that arts and cultural engagement play in improving health throughout life. It is shocking to think that many don’t have the opportunity to explore their creativity and create their own masterpieces whether it be through writing, painting, drawing or the performing arts.
‘Too many are denied the vital benefits provided by the creative arts, and it is often the most disadvantaged children and adults in society who are the most excluded. We need to ensure that everyone has access to the life-enriching power of creativity.’
Venus de Milo by Alexandros of Antioch – 32% (number 6)
Going to the Match by L.S.Lowry – 25% – came in at number 8
Whistler’s Mother by James McNeill Whistler – 24% (number 9)
The famous Angel of the North sculpture by Anthony Gormley (number 10)
‘The Night Watch’ by Rembrandt came in at number 11
The study found that half (50 per cent) of us feel happy and relaxed (49 per cent) when being creative, with a third (31 per cent) feeling content and free (30 per cent).
And the average Brit undertakes a creative pursuit – such as writing, drawing, photography or dancing – three times a week.
Despite 31 per cent agreeing that creativity is a crucial skill in life and a quarter (25 per cent) claiming to be at their happiest when they are being creative, one in four (26 per cent) say they haven’t had the opportunity to do anything in the creative arts space since they left school.
A third (30 per cent) say they simply don’t have the imagination, while 28 per cent don’t have the time to explore their creative side. A lack of inspiration (28 per cent) and money (27 per cent) are also barriers when it comes to being more imaginative.
The study also found that the average Brit visits an art gallery three times a year.
When the nation does manage to visit a gallery, a third (32 per cent) say they feel inspired when looking at a piece of art, with a further 17 per cent saying it makes them feel amazed and creative. One in ten (11 per cent) feel excited when viewing an artwork.
Feeding Creativity is Jacksons of Yorkshire’s pledge to support all things creative. Working with Create, the bakery brand is sponsoring creative projects for young people across the school holidays.
Jacksons of Yorkshire’s Feeding Creativity loaves are on shelves in supermarkets now, giving brand fans the opportunity to win a family art trip to London and art kits for their local school.