What is the most beautiful, awe-inspiring artwork? Is it art that is inspired by the divine? Or by the human spirit? And what art most beautifully captures each?
My husband loves Taoist paintings of ethereal and majestic landscapes and Zen Buddhist watercolors of cherry blossoms. He finds the divine in these celebrations of the beauty of nature.
The most awe-inspiring artwork I've seen are Northwest Native American totem poles. The first time I ever saw one, I was in awe that artwork could be so powerful. It wasn't just the size of the pole (thought it was an impressive 20+ feet tall). It was the vibrancy and boldness of the black and white patterns, and the sheer confidence and calmness in the eyes of the bird at the top. There was something enchanting and otherworldly about that totem pole that I have never felt before or since.
As for human-inspired paintings,
Ten Cent Breakfast is my all time favorite. It is a European Romantic painting of a few men at a bar table - the expressions on their faces are beautiful. I love art and stories where you feel you can see straight through to someone's soul. (That may not make sense, but I'm not very good with words :-)). The Romantic period is my favorite, with its emphasis on the honest expression of human emotion.
All images courtesy of wikipedia.
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