MoMA – The Museum of Modern Art in New York – is the largest museum of modern and contemporary art in the city and one of the most renowned in the world. It is a “must-see” even for those who are not big fans of modern art. You will be surprised to discover works that you necessarily know!

niood lists you the 12 Most Famous Paintings At the MoMa New York:

1. Starry Night, Van Gogh

Dimensions: 73.7 cm × 92.1 cm (29 in × 36.25 in)

Location: The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York City, United States

Created: June 1889

Genre: Landscape

Medium: Oil on canvas

Periods: Post-Impressionism, Modern Art

“Starry Night” is one of the most famous and recognizable paintings by Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh. Completed in 1889, the painting depicts the view from the window of Van Gogh’s asylum room at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where he was recovering from a mental breakdown. The painting features a swirling and tumultuous night sky, with a bright crescent moon and a small village nestled in the foreground.

The painting is famous for its vivid and expressive use of color, with shades of blue, yellow, and white creating a sense of movement and energy in the night sky. The cypress trees in the foreground are also a prominent feature of the painting, with their twisted and gnarled branches adding to the sense of movement and intensity.

Despite the turbulent nature of the painting, there is also a sense of calm and serenity in “Starry Night”, which is a hallmark of Van Gogh’s work. The painting reflects his deep connection to nature and his belief in the power of art to transform and elevate the human spirit. Overall, “Starry Night” is a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and captivate viewers around the world with its beauty and emotion.

2. Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, Pablo Picasso

Dimensions: 243.9 cm x 233.7 cm (8 ft x 7 ft 8 in)

Location: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York City, United States

Created: 1907

Genre: Proto-Cubist art, Avant-garde

Medium: Oil on canvas

Periods: Cubism, Modern Art

“Les Demoiselles d’Avignon” is a painting created by Spanish artist Pablo Picasso in 1907. It depicts five female figures in a brothel setting, with distorted and angular forms, inspired by African art and the avant-garde movements of the time. The figures are depicted in a variety of poses, with two of them confronting the viewer directly, while the others are seen from different angles. Their faces and bodies are simplified and fragmented, with sharp angles and geometric shapes. The background is also fragmented and shows various planes and angles.

The painting caused a scandal when it was first exhibited in Paris in 1916, due to its radical departure from traditional Western art and the use of African and primitive influences. The work was also considered controversial due to its depiction of female sexuality and the objectification of women.

Despite the initial negative reception, “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon” is now considered a masterpiece and a seminal work in the development of modern art. It is famous for its radical departure from traditional representation, its use of abstraction and fragmentation, and its influence on the development of Cubism, which Picasso pioneered along with Georges Braque. The painting is housed in the Museum of Modern Art in New York and continues to inspire and challenge artists and viewers alike to this day.

3. The Persistence of Memory, Salvador Dalí

Dimensions: 24 cm × 33 cm (9.5 in × 13 in)

Location: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York City, United States

Created: 1931

Genre: Surrealism

Medium: Oil on canvas

Periods: Surrealism, Modern Art

“The Persistence of Memory” is a painting created by Spanish artist Salvador Dalí in 1931. It depicts a barren landscape with several pocket watches draped over various objects, including a tree branch, a melting table, and a distorted human face. The landscape is dreamlike and surreal, with a distorted perspective and a soft, hazy quality. The painting is famous for its depiction of time, memory, and decay, as well as its surrealistic imagery.

The image of the melting watches is one of the most iconic in art history and has become a symbol of the surrealist movement. The melting watches are a visual representation of the idea of time melting away, or the fluidity of time. This idea was a common theme in Dalí’s work and reflects his fascination with the subconscious mind and the way in which time and memory are experienced.

“The Persistence of Memory” is also famous for its combination of realism and surrealism, which creates an eerie and unsettling atmosphere. The objects in the painting are depicted with incredible detail, which adds to the realism of the image, but their placement in the surreal landscape creates a sense of disorientation and unease. The painting challenges the viewer’s perception of reality and invites them to explore the hidden depths of the subconscious mind.

4. Campbell’s Soup Can, Andy Warhol

Dimensions: Each canvas measures 50.8 cm x 40.6 cm (20 in x 16 in)

Location: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York City, United States

Created: 1962

Genre: Pop Art

Medium: Synthetic polymer paint on canvas

Periods: Pop Art, Modern Art

“Campbell’s Soup Can” is a series of paintings created by American artist Andy Warhol in 1962. The series features 32 canvases, each depicting a different flavor of Campbell’s Soup. The paintings were created using the technique of silkscreening, which allowed Warhol to reproduce the image of the soup can with remarkable accuracy and consistency.

The Campbell’s Soup Can series is famous for its celebration of the everyday and its challenge to traditional notions of art. Warhol was interested in exploring the relationship between art and commerce, and the soup can paintings reflect his fascination with consumer culture and mass production. By elevating an ordinary object to the status of art, Warhol challenged the idea that art had to be highbrow or exclusive.

The soup can paintings are also an early example of Pop Art, a movement that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s in which artists drew inspiration from popular culture and consumer products. Warhol was one of the leading figures of the Pop Art movement, and the Campbell’s Soup Can series is one of his most iconic and enduring works. The series has become a symbol of Warhol’s artistic vision and his ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.

5. The Lovers, René Magritte

Dimensions: 54 cm x 73 cm (21 in x 28 in)

Location: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York City, United States

Created: 1928

Genre: Surrealism

Medium: Oil on canvas

Periods: Surrealism, Modern Art

“The Lovers” is a painting created by Belgian artist René Magritte in 1928. The painting depicts a man and a woman embracing, but with their heads obscured by white cloths or sheets. The image is haunting and surreal, with the two figures appearing to float in a cloudy blue sky. The painting challenges the viewer’s perception of reality and invites them to question the nature of love and identity.

The white cloths that cover the faces of the lovers in the painting have become a symbol of Magritte’s work and his fascination with the concept of hidden meaning. The image suggests that there is something hidden or mysterious about the nature of love and the relationship between men and women. The ambiguity of the image invites the viewer to create their own interpretation and to explore the hidden depths of the human psyche.

“The Lovers” is a powerful and thought-provoking work of art that continues to inspire and challenge viewers today. Its surreal imagery and enigmatic meaning have made it one of Magritte’s most famous and enduring works. The painting is a testament to Magritte’s belief in the power of art to reveal the hidden truths of the world and to explore the mysteries of the human condition.

6. The Water Lilies, Claude Monet

Dimensions: The Water Lilies is a series of paintings, and dimensions vary across the works.

Location: The Water Lilies series can be found in museums and galleries around the world, including the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.

Created: 1899-1926

Genre: Impressionism

Medium: Oil on canvas

Periods: Impressionism, Modern Art

“The Water Lilies” is a series of paintings created by French Impressionist artist Claude Monet between 1899 and 1926. The series features dozens of canvases that depict Monet’s water lily pond at his home in Giverny, France. The paintings are known for their vibrant colors, loose brushwork, and abstract style, which capture the changing light and colors of the natural world.

Monet was deeply inspired by the beauty of nature and the play of light and color on the landscape. His water lily paintings are a testament to his love of nature and his fascination with the way in which light and color can transform the world around us. The paintings are famous for their ability to transport the viewer into a peaceful and serene natural world, where time seems to stand still.

The Water Lilies series is one of Monet’s most famous and enduring works. The paintings have been reproduced countless times in a variety of mediums, from prints and posters to coffee mugs and t-shirts. The series is a testament to Monet’s legacy as one of the greatest Impressionist painters of all time and his ability to capture the beauty and magic of the natural world in his work.

7. The Dream, Henri Rousseau

Dimensions: 204.5 cm x 298.5 cm (80 1/2 in x 117 1/2 in)

Location: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York City, United States

Created: 1910

Genre: Post-Impressionism

Medium: Oil on canvas

Periods: Post-Impressionism, Modern Art

“The Dream” is a painting created by French Post-Impressionist artist Henri Rousseau in 1910. The painting depicts a nude woman reclining on a couch in the center of a lush jungle setting, surrounded by exotic plants and wild animals. The image is dreamlike and surreal, with the woman’s serene expression and the vibrant colors of the jungle adding to the sense of mystery and enchantment.

Rousseau was a self-taught artist who was known for his bold, vivid paintings of imaginary landscapes and exotic animals. His work was often inspired by his love of nature and his fascination with the exotic cultures of far-off lands. “The Dream” is a perfect example of Rousseau’s style, which combined elements of fantasy and reality to create a magical and otherworldly atmosphere.

Overall, “The Dream” is a masterpiece of Post-Impressionist art that continues to inspire and captivate viewers today. Its dreamlike imagery and lush, vibrant colors reflect Rousseau’s unique artistic vision and his belief in the power of art to transport us to other worlds and other times. The painting is a testament to the enduring power of the imagination and the endless possibilities of art.

8. Gas Station, Edward Hopper

Dimensions: 66.7 cm x 102.2 cm (26 1/4 in x 40 1/4 in)

Location: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York City, United States

Created: 1940

Genre: American Realism

Medium: Oil on canvas

Periods: American Realism, Modern Art

“Gas Station” is a painting created by American Realist artist Edward Hopper in 1940. The painting depicts a gas station in the middle of nowhere, with a lone attendant standing outside a small building. The image is haunting and evocative, with the stark, flat landscape and the intense light of the midday sun creating a sense of desolation and isolation.

Hopper was known for his ability to capture the emptiness and loneliness of modern life in his work. His paintings often featured stark, spare landscapes and figures that seemed to be frozen in time. “Gas Station” is a perfect example of his style, which combined a keen eye for detail with a sense of abstraction and a deep understanding of the human condition.

Overall, “Gas Station” is a powerful and evocative work of art that continues to resonate with viewers today. Its stark, minimalistic style and haunting sense of isolation make it a testament to the power of art to capture the essence of the human experience. The painting is a reminder of the ways in which the modern world can leave us feeling lost and alone, but also of the resilience and beauty of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

9. Self-Portrait with a Haircut, Frida Kahlo

Dimensions: 40 cm x 28 cm (15.7 in x 11 in)

Location: Private Collection

Created: 1940

Genre: Self-portrait, Surrealism

Medium: Oil on metal

Periods: Surrealism, Modern Art

“Self-Portrait with a Haircut” is a painting created by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo in 1940. The painting depicts Kahlo sitting in a chair, with a lock of hair in her hand and a pair of scissors on the floor beside her. The image is powerful and evocative, with Kahlo’s intense gaze and the symbolic imagery of the painting suggesting a deep sense of introspection and self-exploration.

Kahlo was known for her striking and often autobiographical self-portraits, which explored themes of identity, pain, and resilience. Her work is characterized by its use of vivid colors and symbolic imagery, which reflect her deep connection to Mexican folk art and her own personal experiences. “Self-Portrait with a Haircut” is a perfect example of Kahlo’s style and her ability to use her art to explore her own identity and innermost feelings.

Overall, “Self-Portrait with a Haircut” is a powerful and deeply personal work of art that continues to inspire and captivate viewers today. Its use of bold colors and symbolic imagery, combined with Kahlo’s intense gaze and introspective posture, make it a testament to the power of art to explore the complexities of the human experience. The painting is a reminder of the ways in which art can help us to connect with our own innermost feelings and to find meaning and beauty in even the most difficult of circumstances.

10. One: Number 31, Jackson Pollock

Dimensions: 269.5 cm x 530.8 cm (106 in x 209 in)

Location: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York City, United States

Created: 1950

Genre: Abstract Expressionism

Medium: Enamel on canvas

Periods: Abstract Expressionism, Modern Art

“One: Number 31” is a painting created by American Abstract Expressionist artist Jackson Pollock in 1950. The painting is a large, gestural canvas that features drips and splatters of paint in a variety of colors. The image is a testament to Pollock’s unique style, which involved dripping and pouring paint onto the canvas in a process that was both improvisational and highly intentional.

Pollock was known for his ability to capture the spontaneity and energy of the creative process in his work. His paintings were often large and abstract, with sweeping gestures and bold colors that reflected his intense passion for art. “One: Number 31” is a perfect example of his style, which combined a deep understanding of the history of art with an irreverent and rebellious spirit that defied convention and tradition.

Overall, “One: Number 31” is a powerful and evocative work of art that continues to inspire and challenge viewers today. Its use of bold colors and sweeping gestures reflects Pollock’s unique artistic vision and his belief in the power of art to capture the essence of the human experience. The painting is a testament to the enduring power of abstract expressionism and the ways in which art can help us to connect with the deepest parts of ourselves and the world around us.

11. Drowning Girl, Roy Lichtenstein

Dimensions: 171.6 cm x 169.5 cm (67 5/8 in x 66 3/4 in)

Location: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York City, United States

Created: 1963

Genre: Pop Art

Medium: Oil and synthetic polymer paint on canvas

Periods: Pop Art, Modern Art

“Drowning Girl” is a painting created by American Pop artist Roy Lichtenstein in 1963. The painting is a large-scale canvas that features a woman’s head submerged in water, with a speech bubble above her head that reads, “I don’t care! I’d rather sink—than call Brad for help!” The image is a perfect example of Lichtenstein’s signature style, which involved the use of bold, graphic lines and bright, primary colors to mimic the style of comic book illustrations.

Lichtenstein was known for his ability to parody and critique the mass media and consumer culture of his time through his work. His paintings often featured images and symbols that were familiar to viewers, but which he twisted and subverted in order to challenge their assumptions and beliefs. “Drowning Girl” is a perfect example of this approach, with the image of the woman drowning in water and the speech bubble suggesting a critique of the limited roles and options available to women in the 1960s.

Overall, “Drowning Girl” is a powerful and provocative work of art that continues to captivate and challenge viewers today. Its use of bold, graphic lines and bright, primary colors reflects Lichtenstein’s unique artistic vision and his belief in the power of art to critique and challenge the status quo. The painting is a testament to the enduring relevance of Pop Art and the ways in which art can help us to see the world in new and unexpected ways.

12. Bicycle Wheel, Marcel Duchamp

Dimensions: The original 1913 version of the Bicycle Wheel no longer exists. The first “readymade” bicycle wheel that Duchamp submitted to an exhibition in 1916 was lost, but Duchamp created several replicas of the piece over the years. The dimensions of these replicas vary.

Location: The original 1913 version and the first replica are no longer extant. Later replicas are held in various private and public collections around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.

Created: 1913 (original version), 1951 (first replica)

Genre: Readymade, Dada

Medium: Bicycle wheel mounted on a stool

Periods: Dada, Modern Art

“Bicycle Wheel” is a readymade sculpture created by French artist Marcel Duchamp in 1913. The sculpture consists of a bicycle wheel mounted on a stool, and it is considered to be one of the earliest examples of readymade art. Duchamp created the sculpture as a way of challenging traditional notions of art and the role of the artist, by taking an ordinary, everyday object and turning it into an object of contemplation and beauty.

Duchamp was a key figure in the development of Dadaism and Surrealism, and his work often challenged the assumptions and beliefs of the art world. His use of readymade objects was a radical departure from the traditional art forms of the time, and it paved the way for a new approach to art that emphasized the importance of concept and context over technique and craftsmanship.

Overall, “Bicycle Wheel” is a powerful and thought-provoking work of art that continues to inspire and challenge viewers today. Its use of an ordinary, everyday object as a work of art is a testament to Duchamp’s unique artistic vision and his belief in the power of art to transform the world around us. The sculpture is a reminder of the ways in which art can challenge our assumptions and beliefs, and help us to see the world in new and unexpected ways.