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Unmissable masterpieces: Exploring Guggenheim Museum's most famous paintings

The Guggenheim Museum in New York City is the home to numerous remarkable paintings by some of the most renowned artists of the 20th century. Find out about the must-see Guggenheim Museum paintings on this page.

Overview of the Guggenheim Museum paintings

Guggenheim Museum paintings

History of the Guggenheim Museum paintings

The Guggenheim Museum, initially known as the Museum of Non-Objective Painting, was established in 1937 by Solomon R. Guggenheim. His passion for abstract art led to the creation of a unique collection of paintings, which were first displayed in 1939 in New York. The collection included remarkable works by Vasily Kandinsky and his followers, such as Rudolf Bauer, Alice Mason, Otto Nebel, and Rolph Scarlett.

The museum’s collection of paintings grew over time, reflecting the evolving trends in art. The museum boasts the world’s largest collection of paintings by Wassily Kandinsky, showcasing his journey from his early landscapes to his later, more abstract works. The collection also includes rich holdings of paintings by Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, and Joan Miró, each artist’s passion and unique style reflected in their paintings.The third floor houses works from the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao Collection. This collection showcases a journey through some of the leading art movements in the second half of the twentieth century and the early years of the twenty-first. It includes works by renowned artists like Cristina Iglesias, Sol LeWitt, and Mark Rothko.

8 most famous Guggenheim Museum paintings

Before the Mirror Guggenheim Museum

Before the Mirror (Devant la glace)

Édouard Manet

“Before the Mirror (Devant la glace)” is an oil study by Édouard Manet that portrays a lady of the evening admiring her reflection, evoking the timeless theme of Venus before the mirror. The woman is depicted as an artist standing before her work, which, being a mirror, reflects herself. This painting captures a courtesan about to disrobe before a mirror, reflecting a spontaneous imagining of a moment in passing.

In the Vanilla Grove, Man and Horse Guggenheim Museum

In the Vanilla Grove, Man and Horse (Dans la vanillère, homme et cheval)

Paul Gauguin

This painting by Gauguin, who famously abandoned Europe for Tahiti, derives in part from a classical source: The sculptural frieze on the Parthenon. The painting is situated in a small forest in Tahiti used to grow vanilla. The vanilla vines climb up the trees. The majority of the painting is made up by the landscape.

Morning in the Village after Snowstorm Guggenheim Museum

Morning in the Village after Snowstorm

Kazimir Malevich

‘Morning in the Village after Snowstorm’ is a masterpiece by Kazimir Malevich, painted in 1913. This Cubo-Futurist work, while not as radical as his later Suprematist compositions, is considered one of his most sublime. It depicts scenes from Malevich’s Russian childhood, with women carrying buckets of water and a figure pulling a sled in the snow capturing the serenity of a village morning following a snowstorm.

Guggenheim Museum Going Dark

Going Dark: The Contemporary Figure at the Edge of Visibility

Various Artists

This exhibition presents works across all media, including paintings, photographs, drawings, prints, sculptures, videos and installations. Through revealing and concealing the body, “Going Dark” probes a critical point of conflict in representation; the desire to be seen and the need to be hidden.

Guggenheim Museum Landscape near Antwerp

Landscape near Antwerp

Georges Braque

This artwork is one of Braque’s most famous paintings and is a part of Guggenheim’s collection. The painting is representative of Braque’s fauvist style. In June of 1906, Braque and a painter friend traveled to Antwerp. The port city’s similarity to his hometown, Le Havre, inspired Braque to create this masterpiece. The artwork reflects the influence of Paul Cezanne’s technique of simultaneous painting and drawing.

Guggenheim Museum Mountains at Saint-Rémy

Mountains at Saint-Rémy

Vincent van Gogh

Created during a period of his recovery from a mental health episode in 1889, this painting vividly depicts the Alpilles mountains, employing bold brushstrokes and heavy impasto, characteristic of Van Gogh’s late work. This artwork, mentioned in his letters to his brother Theo, reflects his longing for a rural environment amidst the rapid industrialization of the era.

Guggenheim Museum The Football Players

The Football Players

Henri Rousseau

This work of art captures a moment of four men playing rugby in a field. The men are depicted as awkward and disproportionate, almost cartoonish figures, implying the lightheartedness associated with the game of football. The trees in the landscape all look the same, while the clouds in the sky have a mysterious solidity. It seems like the work of a gifted child.

Guggenheim Museum Black Lines

Black Lines

Vasily Kandinsky

‘Black Lines’ is a pioneering abstract painting by Vasily Kandinsky, created in 1913. Kandinsky knew where he was headed before beginning this canvas of abstract art, but he was worried about public reactions. His paintings had a connection that led to a representation of sequence before giving out altogether this one as the final art. This artwork is a testament to Kandinsky’s innovative approach to abstraction and his profound influence on modern art.

Explore the Guggenheim Museum collection

Aside from a remarkable collection of paintings, the Guggenheim Museum is also home to noteworthy sculptures, antiques, and other works of art. Don’t miss out on a chance to discover one of the finest and largest collections of art.




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Frequently asked questions about the Guggenheim Museum paintings

What are the most famous paintings at the Guggenheim Museum?

The Guggenheim Museum is home to many renowned artworks. Some of the most famous include works by artists such as Édouard Manet, Paul Gauguin, and Kazimir Malevich.

How many paintings are on display at the Guggenheim Museum?

The Guggenheim Museum features over 1,700 artworks.

Can I see the Guggenheim Museum paintings?

Yes, explore the entire collection of paintings, sculptures, and other artworks inside the Guggenheim Museum by booking your tickets here.

Where can I find the Guggenheim Museum paintings?

The Guggenheim Museum’s paintings are displayed within its iconic spiral-shaped galleries.

Do I have to pay to see the Guggenheim Museum paintings?

Yes, there is an admission fee to enter the Guggenheim Museum. Tickets start at $30.

How old are the Guggenheim Museum paintings?

The Guggenheim Museum’s collection includes artworks from the late 19th century to the present day.

Does the Guggenheim Museum showcase any of Van Gogh’s art?

Yes, the Guggenheim Museum displays artworks by Vincent van Gogh. The collection includes over 40 of Van Gogh’s paintings, including ‘Mountains at Saint-Rémy’.

Are there any notable works of Kandinsky at the Guggenheim?

Yes, the Guggenheim Museum houses around eighty of Kandinsky’s remarkable paintings, watercolors, and woodcuts.

Are the Guggenheim Museum paintings worth a visit?

Yes, the Guggenheim Museum is internationally renowned for its distinctive architecture, diverse collection, and innovative exhibitions, drawing visitors from all over the world.