Known for his suprematism and constructivism works, Kandinsky was a Russian painter afflicted with chromesthesia; a neurological syndrome that caused him to see sound. As a result, his paintings became beautiful reflections of the music he enjoyed.

Inspired by his Czech roots, Alphonse Mucha was a monumental artist of the Art Nouveau movement. His work was primarily created for advertisement and publications, a large part of which were for the theater. His artwork is credited as being one of the reasons poster advertisements began to be seen as art and collectible.:

The Creation of Adam is one of the most recognizable artworks in history. Adorning the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the fresco was done by Michelangelo as requested by Pope Julius II and was completed in 4 years. This was relatively quick, considering that the tomb he was commissioned to make for Pope Julius took 40 years and was considered incomplete.

One of the most influential paintings of all time, The Scream represents an artist's inner turmoil. While it is known that Munch suffered from panic attacks, a different source of inspiration has been suggested. The nearby eruption of Krakatoa would have left the sky looking very similar to that in the painting. Munch’s diary at the time stated, “suddenly the sky turned blood red…and I felt a vast infinite scream [tear] through nature.”

Credited with creating the Ukiyo-e style of art, Hokusai was a printmaker during the Edo period in Japan. Two of his most iconic works are featured in this design: Under the Wave off Kanagawa and Thunderstorm Beneath the Summit of the Thirty-Six View of Mount Fuji series. Hokusai is noted as being the first Japanese artist to influence Western culture.

An early work of Van Gogh, Skull of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette is thought to have been created out of frustration in traditional teaching practices of art that focused on human anatomy. This unsigned, undated work was painted while Van Gogh was studying at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, where drawing skeletons was a regular activity in beginner courses.

Albert Bierstadt was a prominent painter from the Luminism and Romanticism movements of the American West. He is known for his oil paintings of vast landscapes bathed in light, using harsh shadows to highlight the depth of nature. Bierstadt’s work is recognized as a catalyst for the appreciation of America’s parks and environmental conservation, notably in Yellowstone National Park.