The untold stories behind iconic works of art

'The Garden of Earthly Delights'

'The Garden of Earthly Delights', 'The Creation of Adam', 'The Persistence of Memory', 'Nighthawks', 'Autumn Rhythm', 'Isabella', 'Boy Mozart', 'Mona Lisa', 'The Prophet Zechariah', 'Netherlandish Proverbs', 'An Old Man in Military Costume', 'The Life of Saint Francis', 'The Starry Night', 'Patch Of Grass', 'Supper at Emmaus'

This work was created by painter Hieronymus Bosch between 1490 and 1510. It's a triptych which includes three paintings on separate panels, each depicting common themes within Christianity.

Many have speculated about the hidden symbols in this great piece of art, but art historian Hans Belting was the first to theorize that the artist included a self portrait in the painting, although it cannot be verified.

'The Creation of Adam'

'The Garden of Earthly Delights', 'The Creation of Adam', 'The Persistence of Memory', 'Nighthawks', 'Autumn Rhythm', 'Isabella', 'Boy Mozart', 'Mona Lisa', 'The Prophet Zechariah', 'Netherlandish Proverbs', 'An Old Man in Military Costume', 'The Life of Saint Francis', 'The Starry Night', 'Patch Of Grass', 'Supper at Emmaus'

Some scholars point out that a human brain is dissimulated in the figure of God in this fresco painting by Michelangelo.

'The Persistence of Memory'

'The Garden of Earthly Delights', 'The Creation of Adam', 'The Persistence of Memory', 'Nighthawks', 'Autumn Rhythm', 'Isabella', 'Boy Mozart', 'Mona Lisa', 'The Prophet Zechariah', 'Netherlandish Proverbs', 'An Old Man in Military Costume', 'The Life of Saint Francis', 'The Starry Night', 'Patch Of Grass', 'Supper at Emmaus'

The melting clocks in this work by Surrealist painter Salvador Dali were inspired by images of melting Camembert cheese, as outlined on Mental Floss.

'Nighthawks'

'The Garden of Earthly Delights', 'The Creation of Adam', 'The Persistence of Memory', 'Nighthawks', 'Autumn Rhythm', 'Isabella', 'Boy Mozart', 'Mona Lisa', 'The Prophet Zechariah', 'Netherlandish Proverbs', 'An Old Man in Military Costume', 'The Life of Saint Francis', 'The Starry Night', 'Patch Of Grass', 'Supper at Emmaus'

It is speculated that one of the most famous paintings of the 20th century by Edward Hopper doesn't actually depict a New York restaurant in Mulry Square as originally believed, but is instead an amalgamation of several spots in the city.

'Autumn Rhythm'

'The Garden of Earthly Delights', 'The Creation of Adam', 'The Persistence of Memory', 'Nighthawks', 'Autumn Rhythm', 'Isabella', 'Boy Mozart', 'Mona Lisa', 'The Prophet Zechariah', 'Netherlandish Proverbs', 'An Old Man in Military Costume', 'The Life of Saint Francis', 'The Starry Night', 'Patch Of Grass', 'Supper at Emmaus'

To create this painting, abstract expressionist artist Jackson Pollock placed the blank canvas on the floor and used towels, knives, and wooden sticks to apply the paint.

'Isabella'

'The Garden of Earthly Delights', 'The Creation of Adam', 'The Persistence of Memory', 'Nighthawks', 'Autumn Rhythm', 'Isabella', 'Boy Mozart', 'Mona Lisa', 'The Prophet Zechariah', 'Netherlandish Proverbs', 'An Old Man in Military Costume', 'The Life of Saint Francis', 'The Starry Night', 'Patch Of Grass', 'Supper at Emmaus'

The Independent reveals that studies of this painting by John Everett Millais suggest the character in the foreground dressed in white tights is actually hiding an erection.

'Boy Mozart'

'The Garden of Earthly Delights', 'The Creation of Adam', 'The Persistence of Memory', 'Nighthawks', 'Autumn Rhythm', 'Isabella', 'Boy Mozart', 'Mona Lisa', 'The Prophet Zechariah', 'Netherlandish Proverbs', 'An Old Man in Military Costume', 'The Life of Saint Francis', 'The Starry Night', 'Patch Of Grass', 'Supper at Emmaus'

Several theories regarding this painting by Pietro Antonio Lorenzoni indicate that it includes Masonic symbols. Mozart's hidden left hand may represent a hierarchical rank in the secret society.

'Mona Lisa'

'The Garden of Earthly Delights', 'The Creation of Adam', 'The Persistence of Memory', 'Nighthawks', 'Autumn Rhythm', 'Isabella', 'Boy Mozart', 'Mona Lisa', 'The Prophet Zechariah', 'Netherlandish Proverbs', 'An Old Man in Military Costume', 'The Life of Saint Francis', 'The Starry Night', 'Patch Of Grass', 'Supper at Emmaus'

Italian historian Silvano Vincenti claimed to have discovered secret symbols in Mona Lisa's eyes not visible to the naked eye, including the painter's initials "LV" in the right pupil.

'The Prophet Zechariah'

'The Garden of Earthly Delights', 'The Creation of Adam', 'The Persistence of Memory', 'Nighthawks', 'Autumn Rhythm', 'Isabella', 'Boy Mozart', 'Mona Lisa', 'The Prophet Zechariah', 'Netherlandish Proverbs', 'An Old Man in Military Costume', 'The Life of Saint Francis', 'The Starry Night', 'Patch Of Grass', 'Supper at Emmaus'

The celebrated painter Michelangelo created this work in the Sistine Chapel. He had a strained relationship with Pope Julius II, yet represented him in the figure of the biblical prophet Zechariah together with two angels.

'Netherlandish Proverbs'

'The Garden of Earthly Delights', 'The Creation of Adam', 'The Persistence of Memory', 'Nighthawks', 'Autumn Rhythm', 'Isabella', 'Boy Mozart', 'Mona Lisa', 'The Prophet Zechariah', 'Netherlandish Proverbs', 'An Old Man in Military Costume', 'The Life of Saint Francis', 'The Starry Night', 'Patch Of Grass', 'Supper at Emmaus'

Pieter Bruegel's work from 1559 illustrates various proverbs, and is estimated to contain around 100 in total.

'An Old Man in Military Costume'

'The Garden of Earthly Delights', 'The Creation of Adam', 'The Persistence of Memory', 'Nighthawks', 'Autumn Rhythm', 'Isabella', 'Boy Mozart', 'Mona Lisa', 'The Prophet Zechariah', 'Netherlandish Proverbs', 'An Old Man in Military Costume', 'The Life of Saint Francis', 'The Starry Night', 'Patch Of Grass', 'Supper at Emmaus'

Advanced imaging techniques have discovered a hidden, unfinished painting beneath the layers of oil paint.

'The Life of Saint Francis'

'The Garden of Earthly Delights', 'The Creation of Adam', 'The Persistence of Memory', 'Nighthawks', 'Autumn Rhythm', 'Isabella', 'Boy Mozart', 'Mona Lisa', 'The Prophet Zechariah', 'Netherlandish Proverbs', 'An Old Man in Military Costume', 'The Life of Saint Francis', 'The Starry Night', 'Patch Of Grass', 'Supper at Emmaus'

After going unnoticed for centuries, it was discovered by medieval art expert, Chiara Frugoni, that the artist hid a smiling devil in the background of the painting, as reported by The Telegraph.

'The Starry Night'

'The Garden of Earthly Delights', 'The Creation of Adam', 'The Persistence of Memory', 'Nighthawks', 'Autumn Rhythm', 'Isabella', 'Boy Mozart', 'Mona Lisa', 'The Prophet Zechariah', 'Netherlandish Proverbs', 'An Old Man in Military Costume', 'The Life of Saint Francis', 'The Starry Night', 'Patch Of Grass', 'Supper at Emmaus'

Researchers came to the conclusion that Van Gogh was shockingly able to capture the concept of turbulent flow in this painting, which is one of the most difficult concepts in physics and mathematics.

'Patch Of Grass'

'The Garden of Earthly Delights', 'The Creation of Adam', 'The Persistence of Memory', 'Nighthawks', 'Autumn Rhythm', 'Isabella', 'Boy Mozart', 'Mona Lisa', 'The Prophet Zechariah', 'Netherlandish Proverbs', 'An Old Man in Military Costume', 'The Life of Saint Francis', 'The Starry Night', 'Patch Of Grass', 'Supper at Emmaus'

In 2008, scientists from the Netherlands and Belgium used X-ray technology to discover a hidden portrait behind this painting.

'Supper at Emmaus'

'The Garden of Earthly Delights', 'The Creation of Adam', 'The Persistence of Memory', 'Nighthawks', 'Autumn Rhythm', 'Isabella', 'Boy Mozart', 'Mona Lisa', 'The Prophet Zechariah', 'Netherlandish Proverbs', 'An Old Man in Military Costume', 'The Life of Saint Francis', 'The Starry Night', 'Patch Of Grass', 'Supper at Emmaus'

This work was painted by Caravaggio in 1601 and depicts Jesus revealing himself after his resurrection. The painting is full of religious symbols, including grapes that represent Christ's blood and a pomegranate that represents his resurrection.

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