Top 10 Iconic Blue Pieces of Art Throughout History

by A Kladov

What do you associate blue color with? In psychology, it’s the color of calmness and peace. It’s about water, ocean, sky, and a sense of relaxation. It isn’t surprising that many famous artists wanted to depict the atmosphere of the color blue. Let’s check who has achieved great success in this. 

Most historians admit that the blue color in art makes a deep impression on viewers. We are going to have a look at the most recognized pieces of art below.

Painting 1: Mark Rothco, “Rust and Blue” (No.61)

This artist has become popular in the middle of the XX century in the USA. His primary focus was abstract art. Since childhood, he started to work in this direction. One can notice that his works contain tons of chromatic hues. 

One of his works, “No.61,” has made a deep impression on viewers despite its simplicity. There are layers of colors combined with the color blue. If you are an abstract art fan, you should see “Rust and Blue” (1953). No doubt that this painting deserves your attention as it’s one of the best blue pictures ever.

Painting 2: Pablo Picasso, “The Old Guitarist”

Pablo Picasso shows us that the color blue isn’t only about a sense of relaxation and harmony. It’s also about a moody and dusky state. 

The painting “The Old Guitarist” (1903) was devoted to the painter's best friend. Casagemas suffered from depression and other mental problems. Finally, he committed suicide. Pablo devoted several paintings to those who couldn’t deal with their worries during the mentioned period. 

One can see that the piece of art is done in a blue color. It’s very deep here, having a long-lasting effect on viewers. The face of the guitarist in this painting tells everyone about his pain and misery.  

According to art critics, Picasso is the one who managed to show how deep depression looks like with the help of blue hues. 

Painting 3: Claude Monet, “Waterloo Bridge”

There is no French man who doesn’t know Claude Monet. He is a famous painter who chose the Impressionist movement. In 1903, the artist did his brilliant piece of art named “Waterloo Bridge, Sunlight Effect”. 

One can see many blue colors that depict water and sky. What kind of blue did he use? They are deep hues to show the heavy London fog. Once, the artist said that the fog made this city so mystic and magnificent. 

The painting combines tons of different blue colors. The bridge can hardly be seen because of the fog. The same situation is in London when you look through the fog and can hardly see what is in the background.

Painting 4: Henri Matisse, “The Conversation”

He did the painting “The Conversation” in 1912. Although most of his works were done using many colors, this one was devoted to the color blue. He managed to show the broad sense of the blue. 

One can see the artist with his beloved in the painting. It seems that the blue color is all over them. They are involved in a conversation and part of the color blue magic. 

There is a contrast of clothes in the picture. Ameli, the wife of the artist, looks very elegant and aristocratic. Henry is wearing pajamas. It’s his usual clothes when spending time in his art studio. 

Painting 5: Vincent Van Gogh, “The Starry Night”

There is no man who hasn’t heard about this great artist. The painting number one among these art pieces is “The Starry Night”. Here, one can see the mental state of the artist. Not everyone knows that Van Gogh suffered from manic depression. 

The painting (1889) depicts the night's calmness disturbed by the wind. The artist used brush strokes to create this effect. The artist was inspired by his view from his window when living in the south of France. 

“The Starry Night” can rightly be called the most famous painting among Post-Impressionist paintings of the artist.  

Painting 6: Vassily Kandinsky, “Blue Painting 1924”

Most historians and critics would agree that Kandinsky is one of the most talented artists focused on abstract art. Various linear forms and shapes make a great expression. 

The artist combines different colors and shapes to create a long-lasting effect on viewers. As for the “Blue Painting”, it is about blue color only. It’s all over the canvas. 

The artist created this wonderful painting in 1924. One can notice that deep hues of blue are used at the edges, and the brighter color is in the center. Undoubtedly, the artist wanted viewers to focus on the painting’s center. 

Painting 7: Georgia O'Keeffe, “Abstraction Blue”

Georgia is one of the few talented artists who depicted nature using deep blue color. This lady has become popular among artists who describe natural settings. But the most fabulous one is her “Abstraction Blue” (1927). It’s one of the most striking abstract art pieces of the XX century. 

One can notice that the artist has used many different hues of blue color. The painting shows a beautiful flower that was a common topic in Georgia. 

Painting 8: Paul Gauguin, “Woman with Mango”

Unfortunately, Paul Gauguin has become famous after his death. In 1892, he presented his “Woman with Mango,” where one can see a young lady who married at 13. 

First, it seems the artists used a purple color, not the blue one. The deepness of the coloration creates the effect. The artist was inspired by his travels to Tahiti. The painting is devoted to a pretty girl from this island. She was portrayed in a deep blue dress and a mango fruit in her right hand. 

Painting 9: Mary Cassatt, “Elsie in a Blue Chair”

Mary Cassatt devoted her paintings to the impressionist art. In most cases, she portrayed individuals and various settings in society during the XIX-XX centuries. 

All her art pieces deserve your attention, but “Elsie in a Blue Chair” is unique. It was done in 1880. There is a small girl on the chair drawn in the color blue. She is wearing a white dress and a hat. But the white color isn’t pure. It has blue hues.

By the way, blue tones are everywhere in the painting. That’s why it isn’t surprising that “Elsie in a Blue Chair” is among the most prominent blue paintings. 

Painting 10: Paul Signac, “Saint Tropez, Storm”

Have you ever heard of such an art form as stippling? Paul Signac is the master of this technique. He used deliberate dots to create different subjects and figures. The main idea is to draw the viewers' attention to each painting detail. 

In 1895, the artist did his “Saint Tropez, Storm” masterpiece. He was one of the stippling pioneers who achieved enormous success in this era. In the painting, you can see a peaceful city that expects to meet with the storm and strong wind. Blue is everywhere here. Tons of blue hues are used to portray clouds and water. 

As you can see, the blue color can make a deep impression on viewers. It’s the best choice for portraying not only the calmness of the night and nature's beauty but also to tell about mental problems and gloomy periods in life.