Every year, billions of dollars' worth of art passes through international auction houses, while leading museums each hold tens of thousands -- even hundreds of thousands -- of artworks in their collections. But precious few ever achieve the fame required to truly be considered household names
We compared dozens of popular masterpieces -- from classics such as "Mona Lisa," "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" and the "Salavator Mundi," to more modern works like "Nighthawks" and even the "Dogs Playing Poker" series.
Based on those results, these are the world's 10 most searched-for paintings:
1. 'Mona Lisa'
It should come as no surprise that the most famous painting in the world is that mysterious woman with the enigmatic smile. But that's one of the few certainties about this work of art.
The sitter in the painting is thought to be Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Florence merchant Francesco del Giocondo, but experts aren't sure. It did represent an innovation in art -- the painting is the earliest known Italian portrait to focus so closely on the sitter in a half-length portrait, according to the Louvre, where it was first installed in 1804.
2. 'The Last Supper'
Leonardo, the original "Renaissance Man," is the only artist to appear on this list twice.
Painted in an era when religious imagery was still a dominant artistic theme, "The Last Supper" depicts the last time Jesus broke bread with his disciples before his crucifixion.
The painting is actually a huge fresco -- 4.6 meters (15 feet) high and 8.8 meters (28.9 feet) wide, which makes for a memorable viewing.
3. 'The Starry Night'
The comparatively abstract painting is the signature example of van Gogh's innovative and bold use of thick brushstrokes. The painting's striking blues and yellows and the dreamy, swirling atmosphere have intrigued art lovers for decades.
4. 'The Scream'
First things first -- "The Scream" is not a single work of art. According to a British Museum's blog, there are two paintings, two pastels and then an unspecified number of prints. The paintings reside in the National Museum and the Munch Museum, and in 2012, one of the pastels sold for almost $120 million at auction.
Much like the case of "Mona Lisa," daring thefts (1994 and 2004) of the two painting versions of "The Scream" helped elevate the public's awareness of the artworks. (Both were eventually found).
5. 'Guernica'
This is the most recent painting on this list, and it depicts the German aerial bombing of the town of Guernica in the Basque region during the Spanish Civil War.
The painting has that distinctive Picasso style, and its unflinching examination of the horrors of war made it an essential part of 20th century culture and history.
6. 'The Kiss'
From Klimt's "Golden Period," Byzantine artistic influences can be seen in the highly decorative robes worn by the passionate, life-sized couple.
The Upper Belvedere says that with "The Kiss," Klimt makes a "general allegorical statement about love being at the heart of human existence." Given its magnetic appeal, it seems people agree.
7. 'Girl With a Pearl Earring'
This intriguing favorite often gets compared with the "Mona Lisa." Besides the stylistic differences, technically "Girl With a Pearl Earring" isn't even a portrait, but a "tronie" -- a Dutch word for a painting of an imaginary figure with exaggerated features.
The oil on canvas masterpiece is brilliant in its simplicity. The girl -- wearing a blue and gold turban and an oversized pearl earring -- is the entire focus with only a dark backdrop behind her.
8. 'The Birth of Venus'
The oldest painting in the top 10 and competing with "The Kiss" for most sensuous, "The Birth of Venus" was probably commissioned by a member of the wealthy and art-loving Medici family, which ruled Florence and nearby areas for centuries.
Marrying a renewed interest in classic Greek culture with Early Renaissance style, Botticelli creates an unforgettable figure with the Goddess of Love emerging from a huge scallop shell.
First, he painted on canvas instead of the more popular wood. Secondly, nudity was rare at this time -- so it was daring that Venus is completely exposed minus her long, flowing hair and a hand (barely) covering her most intimate body parts.
9. 'Las Meninas'
Housed at the popular (and vast) Prado, "Las Meninas" is not only Diego Velázquez`s most famous painting, it's also one of his largest. The complexity of the work has fascinated art critics and the public for centuries.
The painting does double duty as a portrait. It serves as a group portrait of Spanish royalty, but it's also a self-portrait of Velázquez himself at work (on the left).
10. 'The Creation of Adam'
The most famous work by renowned artist Michelangelo covers a section of the Sistine Chapel's ceiling -- you have to look up to view it. The scene depicts God and Adam with outstretched arms, their fingers nearly touching. It is one of the most replicated images in history.
Adam's muscular form hints at Michelangelo's other talent -- his "David" is possibly the world's most famous sculpture. You can see the towering marble statue at the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence.
credit : CNN
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