5 Famous Fine Art Drawings You Should Know

Because all you need is a pencil and a blank sheet of paper to bring it to life, fine art drawing is very popular. It comes in an infinite number of styles, sometimes realistic, sometimes abstract, sometimes naïve. But what are the essential works of this discipline of untamed lines and borders? Artsper invites you to discover the art of drawing through 5 breathtaking works!

1. L’évidence, result of an extraordinary collaboration

An emblematic figure of the Surrealist movement, Man Ray played a fundamental role in Dadaism. If he revolutionized photography with the technique of solarization, Man Ray was also an incredible drawer. Among all his masterpieces, Les Mains libres remains unchallenged. This collaboration with Paul Éluard allowed the two artists to pay tribute to each other. The beauty of Man Ray’s drawings celebrates the writing of Éluard, and vice versa. This artistic osmosis culminates in L’évidence, a work as captivating as it is moving.

2. Vive l’amour, fine art drawing as a pedagogical tool

The very famous Niki de Saint Phalle has a work as colorful as it is diverse. We are indebted to her for the magnificent Jardin des Tarots in Tuscany, Italy. A park in which the mosaics in mirrors and ceramic sculptures take us on a dreamlike journey. But this artist also has a very important place in the field of fine art drawing. The essential Vive l’amour is certainly her most popular drawing. A recurring theme in Niki de Saint Phalle’s work, the tree is a symbol of vitality, love and happiness. And if this drawing inspires joy, its initial role was also to inform. As an activist, Niki de Saint Phalle created a book to raise awareness and funds for AIDS research. Vive l’amour is one of the works featured in this book.

3. Three Pumpkins, fine art drawing as a way to fight against your fears

Could you have missed Yayoi Kusama ? This Japanese artist is now one of the most appreciated and highly rated in the world. Her work is easily recognizable, as it deals with recurring forms and subjects. Polka dots, flowers, and pumpkins have been the focus of her work for decades. But such thematic obsession is no accident. From the age of 10, Kusama suffered from severe hallucinations. She is frequently haunted by the subjects that will become the essence of her work. Art serves as an outlet, allowing her to fight against fear and regain control over her emotions. Three Pumpkins is an emblematic work of Kusama since it associates an infinity of peas with the theme of pumpkins.

4. Vitruvian Man and the birth of a new canon of beauty

How can we talk about fine art drawing without talking about Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man? Fascinated by the human body, he decided to create a portrait of a man with perfect proportions. But as a scientist, inventor, painter, sculptor – and above all a perfectionist – Leonardo da Vinci revolutionized the world of art. Using the golden ratio, which aroused all his admiration, the artist would create a new canon of beauty.

5. The visionary fine art drawing of Kandinsky

A major figure and founder of abstract art, Vassily Kandinsky revolutionized art of his time. A true artistic explorer, he developed a new approach to drawing, particularly through his treatment of lines and curves. This famous drawing testifies to his eternal experimentation, his obsession with balance and, above all, his visionary talent!

Fine art drawing, an invitation to artistic practice

Because it requires very little material, drawing is the most financially accessible art. And this does not prevent it from travelling through societies and centuries without a wrinkle. For these reasons, it is an excellent way to start an artistic practice!