If you could choose one artwork to own, what would it be?

[AllaMova]

With the following caveat, you must select one that you love, rather than for its worth etc.

At the moment, I would choose “Sketch of a Seated Cat” by Gwen John. ❤️

I adore his paintings of London bridges.

I used to live in Glasgow and would go to see it often when it was in the St Mungo Museum. I'm agnostic, maybe atheist, but something about it captivated me.

That is just delightful. Who is is?

Nocturne in grey & gold is so atmospheric

@ConstanzeMozart it is by Thomas Jones. There are a few of his in the National Gallery too of which my favourite is this https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/thomas-jones-a-wall-in-naples

Thank you! I live in London and have been to the National a fair few times, but don't think I've seen his work.

Lilith by John Collier

Exactly. I’m not religious, either, but it is well worth seeing. Not something I’d want in the house..man’s inhumanity to man has never appealed.

Anything by the French artist Bernard louedin is my fav.

Years ago we went to Chatsworth & I had a slight Sistine Chapel moment when I saw the veiled vestal virgin bust. Not screaming, but to the embarrassment of my sons I did have a ‘tissue moment’. At the time I couldn’t afford the price of the replica in the gift shop but after this thread I’m ordering it. I don’t know where I’ll put it but even if it lives in my knicker drawer I can get it out & marvel at it. It’s just so incredible that out of a block of stone he created a diaphanous fabric with serene features underlaying it.

This is my choice too. I've seen it a couple of times and could just look at it all day.

Like others I was bewitched by Carnation, Lily, Lily Rose when I first saw it and I also covet some of Monet’s Facade of Rouen Cathedral series but as I get older I find myself drawn to “quieter” painting too so I’m greedily going to stake my indecision between Vermeer’s The Little Street, which hangs in the Rijksmuseum, Pieter de Hooch’s Boy Bringing Bread from the Wallace Collection, and Jan Van Eyck’s Annunciation which hangs in the National Gallery in Washington DC. I first saw the latter in September and reproductions and images completely fail to convey the brilliance and jewel like beauty of the original. I can’t imagine the impact it must have had on people in the early 15th century.

https://www.nga.gov/artworks/46-annunciation

There’s so many more I would love too. Pope Innocent X by Velasquez I’m looking at you!

Yes, I adore quiet paintings too, hence my love of Gwen John. Vermeer is a miracle-worker IMO, and I love Boy Bringing Bread (in fact I love all the Wallace Collection's 17th-century Dutch domestic stuff).

Me too re the quiet things. I got to go to the Mauritshuis last year. Probably my favourite art gallery ever. I’ve already staked my claim to Vermeer’s View of Delft up thread. But the little intimate interiors, love them.

@MeAndMyGhostDid you know Beryl Cook is exhibiting in Plymouth at the moment? https://www.studiointernational.com/index.php/beryl-cook-pride-and-joy-review-the-box-plymouth

Young Lady with Gloves. Tamara de Lempicka. Art Deco brilliance.

Another piece I’d love to own is Spirit by Roux. Isn’t it beautiful?!

There is an upcoming Christie’s auction that has done Monet and Salvador Dali in the listings….. some are very weird and the price

That is stunning

Ooh thanks for letting me know, will have a look nochance if buying one but just fascinated. My parents had the lowry print which I have now wouldnt mind a Dali print. Picasso is another that fascinates me , went to his house in Batcelona

Light of the World.

Cafe Terrace at Night by Van Gogh. I love the colours and the atmosphere created, the heat of the night is palpable.
https://www.1st-art-gallery.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=webp,quality=85/media/wysiwyg/Vincent_Van_Gogh_-_Cafe_Terrace_at_Night.jpg

Light of the Harem, by Frederic Leighton.

Came across this one today which is extraordinary!
Pere Borrell del Casio

Will try adding the photo!