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The 10 Most Popular Gift Paintings
As the holidays approach, finding the right gift for the people in our lives can be overwhelming. A unique and beautiful piece of art is always a thoughtful gift and we make sure to carry something for a variety of tastes. There is a lot of selection out there, so we at overstockArt would like to help give you some suggestions based on what we know to be popular paintings.
Carefully recreated to depict the original scene, the vibrant combination of warm colors and depth of perspective are definitely unique to Van Gogh’s style of painting. The Cafe Terrace at Night is the first painting in which Van Gogh started using backgrounds filled with stars in his work. It pre-dates Starry Night and Starry Night Over the Rhone. This painting features bright, bold tones, undeniable movement, and one of the most enchanting scenes in art history. It would be a great piece to give to someone who loves to cook, ore enjoys gathering people around the table.
Monet used beautiful color combinations to depict his flowers along a simple dirt path that leads to a pond. Considered one of the greatest impressionist painters, this piece uses light and movement to bring the garden to life in any room. Any gardening enthusiast would be delighted to have this hanging in their home.
Though the tree of life has long been a meaningful symbol in religion and mythology, Gustav Klimt managed to create his own very unique interpretation in Tree of Life. The only landscape created during Klimt’s golden period, this tree has a luxurious, shimmering look. The tree demonstrates a connection between heaven, earth and the underworld, with twisting branches that suggest the persistence and complexity of human life. This would be perfect for the spiritual person in your life.
This exciting and romantic scene from this 1881 exhibits the artist’s finest skills in one unique masterpiece. Renoir paints Luncheon of the Boating Party with overlapping figures which projects space on the canvas; while a sense of motion is indicated by the placement and expressions of the figures, he cleverly balances the portrait creating a feeling of intimacy and harmony. This would look wonderful in the backdrop of a party hosted by the social butterfly in the group.
The Kiss depicts a couple surrounded by a gold blanket and ornaments sharing a moment of shear passion – the perfect kiss. Influenced by European avant-garde movements, this Klimt piece combines richly decorative surface patterning with complex symbolism and allegory. It embraces the emotions and beautiful nature of love. The romantics you are shopping for are sure to adore it.
Star Dancer was one of Degas’s most popular paintings from this period, during a time when he made extensive use of pastels for contrast, shadow effects and to capture humans in motion. The preciseness of her arms, head and feet is influenced by Degas’ study of dance and enhances the fantastic reality of the moment. It embodies grace and hope, so it would be ideal for the dreamers who would like a little inspiration.
In a muted palette of desaturated colors, this landscape by Polish artist Justyna Kopania is reminiscent of her stunning nocturnal images. The smoothly reflective blues of the water are punctuated with small ridges of paint and a pale yellow moon glowing above. It gives a new perspective on a scene that we see often, allowing us to get a richer understanding of nature after dark. Surprise someone who likes a little mystery in their life.
In Vase with Poppies Cornflowers Peonies & Chrysanthemums, viewers get a peek into a slightly softer side of the artist. It is a classic still life that offers a great example of the techniques that Van Gogh was famous for. Without being too bright or busy, this piece still has enough detail to draw the eye as a focal point in the room. Anyone looking to add an understated piece of elegance will appreciate this piece.
Inspired by both Impressionism and Japanese woodcuts, Van Gogh painted Branches of an Almond Tree in Blossom to celebrate the beauty of youth. His brush strokes combined a sense of fragility and energy to create a joyous and hopeful image. La Pastiche took that image and expanded it with various colored backgrounds, each providing a different meaning to the audience. Choose the original or any of the wonderful color options to match the youthful spirit of someone you admire.
Monet captured the serene setting in this piece with the use of green for the grass and the warm tones in the changing leaves. Light and dark work together to create a sense of transition often felt during fall months. Nature landscapes can give a room a calm and relaxing atmosphere when done right and this is a wonderful example. Give with to someone who would enjoy a peaceful oasis to escape into to.
Finding the right piece of art to match an individual’s personality can be difficult but well worth it. Taking the time to get the sense of what the piece is trying to express is the first part, then making sure it finds a home in the hands of someone you love is the rest. Hopefully these suggestions will help guide you to giving a gift that will delight someone special in your life.
“By analyzing the visits and purchases of featured paintings on overstockArt.com, we are able to suggest the best pieces of art to give during this holiday season. These masterworks are a smart gift for friends, family, and coworkers who want to enliven a home, apartment, office or other setting. I encourage people to explore overstockArt.com to see the full selection of items we carry,” says David Sasson, CEO of overstockArt.com. The top 10 list reflects not only the seasonal trends in home décor, but in the art world as well. While they certainly work well as gifts during the holidays, these incredible paintings are timeless and can certainly be shared year-round! For more great gift pieces and ideas visit the Holiday Gift Gallery.
About the Author Amanda Hadley
Amanda graduated from the University of Kansas, where she studied English literature and got a masters degree in library sciences. She enjoys reading, cooking and playing with her nephews. Her best friend is her little dog Brady.
