25 Iconic Modern and Contemporary Artworks That Made History

Since the late 19th century, modern art paintings have captured our imagination and reshaped how we think about creative expression. Iconic works, such as Pablo Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (1907) and Salvador Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory (1931), are among the most famous artworks that challenged artistic conventions while reflecting the cultural shifts of their time.

As the 20th century progressed, the impact of modern art laid the foundation for what came next. The rise of photography pushed painters to explore new directions, and with that came an explosion of innovation. Think of the sharp geometry of Cubism, the deep dive into the subconscious in Surrealism, or the bold embrace of mass media in Pop Art. This was a vibrant period that opened the door to new voices and new ways of making art.

While the terms are often used interchangeably, modern art and contemporary art refer to two distinct periods. Modern art generally includes works produced from the 1860s through the 1970s, defined by radical departures from realism and the invention of entirely new visual languages. Contemporary artworks, by contrast, span from the late 20th century to today, often responding to present-day themes, technology, and cultural shifts. Together, they trace over a century of creative evolution shaped by artists who refused to conform.

In this article, we revisit 25 iconic pieces, a mix of modern art and contemporary artworks, that continue to inspire, challenge, and define our time. From Mondrian to Banksy, each work represents a milestone in visual culture, offering its own story and reason for lasting relevance.  These pieces are some of the most prominent examples of famous artworks.

1. Pablo Picasso, Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (1907)

 Les Demoiselles d'Avignon [1907] by NichoDesign, CC BY-SA 2.0.

Spanish artist Pablo Picasso painted Les Demoiselles d’Avignon in 1907, a groundbreaking work that redefined modern art. Its fractured forms and mask-like faces marked a sharp break from Western tradition, paving the way for Cubism. Influenced in part by African art, particularly the masks Picasso encountered in Paris, its raw, angular features carry a striking, almost ritual presence. Today housed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, it remains one of the most iconic works of the 20th century and is considered one of the world's most famous artworks. Read more on Africa's influence on Western Modernist artists, such as Picasso, Matisse, and Modigliani, in our editorial, Before Picasso, There was Africa.

2. Henri Matisse, The Red Studio (1911)

French artist Henri Matisse painted The Red Studio in 1911, a work that transformed a quiet interior into a vibrant field of colour. By flattening space and washing the entire scene in rich red tones, Matisse shifted the focus from realistic detail to mood, harmony and composition. The furniture, artworks and objects seem to float within the space, creating a sense of intimacy and abstraction. Now considered a landmark of early modern art, it reflects Matisse’s mastery of colour and his ability to capture emotion through simplified form.

3. Marcel Duchamp, Nude Descending a Staircase, No. 2 (1912)

French-American artist Marcel Duchamp painted Nude Descending a Staircase, No. 2 in 1912, combining the fractured forms of Cubism with the energy of Futurism. The figure is built from layered geometric shapes, giving it a mechanical, almost robotic movement that was unlike anything audiences had seen before. Many were unsettled by how far it strayed from the traditional, graceful portrayal of the nude, finding it strange and even provocative. When it appeared at the 1913 Armoury Show in New York, it caused an uproar and became a turning point in the story of modern art.

4. Famous Contemporary Artwork: Kerry James Marshall, Many Mansions (1994)

With lush greenery, stark figures, and bright smiles that feel both staged and loaded, Many Mansions invites viewers to look beyond surface beauty. Marshall’s work confronts how Black life has been represented, or erased, in art history. This piece, part of his Garden Project series, draws on the tradition of modern art paintings while placing Black American identity at the heart of everyday spaces. It was a powerful turning point in contemporary art, addressing race, visibility, and dignity with striking clarity.

5. Wassily Kandinsky, Composition VII (1913)

Russian-born artist Wassily Kandinsky created Composition VII in 1913, a vivid explosion of colour, form and movement. Sweeping curves, layered shapes and bold contrasts create a sense of rhythm and intensity that feels almost musical. Kandinsky believed art could express spiritual truths, and here he pushed painting beyond the visible world into pure abstraction. Often regarded as his greatest work, it stands as a landmark in modern art for its ability to convey emotion and energy without relying on recognisable imagery. This is one of the most celebrated modern art paintings of its time.

6. Kazimir Malevich, Black Square (1915)

Russian artist Kazimir Malevich unveiled Black Square in 1915, presenting a stark, unapologetic canvas that marked a radical break from traditional art. By reducing painting to a simple black form on a white background, he declared that pure feeling could exist without any link to the physical world. Malevich described it as the “zero point of painting,” a moment he saw as a complete reset for art. This bold statement became a cornerstone of the Suprematist movement and a defining symbol of modernism’s search for a new visual language.

7. Joan Miró, The Harlequin’s Carnival (1924–25)

Spanish artist Joan Miró painted The Harlequin’s Carnival in 1924–25, filling the canvas with whimsical, dream-like forms that seem to dance across the surface. Inspired by Surrealism, Miró used biomorphic shapes and playful colours to create a world where logic gives way to imagination. The lively, almost musical composition invites viewers into a space of curiosity and wonder. Celebrated for its originality, this modern art painting went on to inspire generations of artists, shaping the course of both modern and contemporary art.

8. Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled (1982)

American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat painted Untitled (1982) with an energy that feels both urgent and deliberate. Layers of bold colour, expressive lines and fragmented symbols draw from African diasporic history, street culture and personal iconography. The work speaks to themes of identity, power and resistance, asserting a strong presence for Black self-representation in contemporary art. Its raw intensity and cultural depth marked a turning point in how these narratives were seen and valued within the art world, earning it recognition as one of the most famous contemporary artworks.

9. Georgia O’Keeffe, Black Iris III (1926)

 

American artist Georgia O’Keeffe painted Black Iris III in 1926, magnifying the delicate curves and deep tones of a single flower until it became both intimate and monumental. By blending fine detail with bold abstraction, she transformed the bloom into a striking image of sensuality and strength. The work challenged traditional ideas of floral painting, offering a modern, unapologetic vision that continues to captivate audiences nearly a century later.

10. Tarsila do Amaral, Abaporu (1928)

Brazilian artist Tarsila do Amaral painted Abaporu in 1928 as a gift for her husband, writer Oswald de Andrade, inspiring the launch of Brazil’s Anthropophagic Movement. Blending elements of European modernism with bold symbols of Latin American identity, the work features an elongated figure under a blazing sun, evoking themes of cultural transformation and self-definition. Today, it is celebrated as one of the most significant and influential works in South American art history.

11. René Magritte, The Treachery of Images (1929)

Photo of Magritte’s "The Treachery of Images" by Daryl Mitchell, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Belgian artist René Magritte painted The Treachery of Images in 1929, showing a perfectly detailed pipe with the words “Ceci n’est pas une pipe” underneath. The phrase, meaning “This is not a pipe,” reminds viewers that a painting is only an image, not the real thing. With this simple but clever twist, Magritte invited people to think differently about how we see and describe the world. It remains one of his most famous artworks and still sparks conversations in contemporary art today.

12. Keith Haring, Radiant Baby (1982)

American artist Keith Haring created Radiant Baby in the early 1980s, using thick lines and bright colours to depict a crawling infant surrounded by lines of energy. Simple in form yet full of life, it became one of his most recognisable images and a symbol of vitality and hope. Haring’s street-inspired style brought art into public spaces, while his work often carried powerful messages about identity, the AIDS crisis and social justice. Radiant Baby remains a defining image in contemporary art, celebrated for its clarity, optimism and cultural impact.

13. Yayoi Kusama, Infinity Mirror Rooms (1965–present)

Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama began creating her Infinity Mirror Rooms in the 1960s, using mirrored walls, repeating lights and reflective surfaces to create the illusion of endless space. Reintroduced and expanded in the 21st century, these immersive installations drew massive global audiences and turned viewing into a fully participatory experience. The works shifted contemporary art toward large-scale, experiential pieces, changing how audiences interact with and inhabit an artwork. Today, they remain among the most celebrated and sought-after installations in the world, and are certainly some of the most famous contemporary artworks.

14. Tracey Emin, My Bed (1998)

British artist Tracey Emin presented My Bed in 1998, displaying her own unmade bed surrounded by personal items such as worn sheets, underwear and empty bottles. The raw, unfiltered presentation turned a private space into a public artwork, challenging ideas about what could be shown in a gallery. Both confessional and confrontational, it acted as a self-portrait through objects rather than images. The piece became a defining work of the Young British Artists movement and a landmark in contemporary art for its rejection of traditional form.

15. Iconic Modern Art Paintings: Piet Mondrian, Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow (1930)

Dutch artist Piet Mondrian created Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow in 1930, reducing painting to its most basic elements: straight black lines, blocks of primary colour and perfect balance between form and space. This radical simplicity was part of his vision to express universal harmony, free from personal emotion or decorative detail. At the time, it was a bold challenge to traditional art, and its clean, balanced design went on to influence modern architecture, fashion, graphic design and painting. It remains a timeless symbol of abstraction and order, and one of the most recognised modern art paintings of the 20th century.

16. Salvador Dalí, The Persistence of Memory (1931)

"The Persistence of Memory” (1931) by Salvador Dalí, photographed by Mike Steele, licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Spanish artist Salvador Dalí painted The Persistence of Memory in 1931, filling a quiet coastal landscape with surreal, melting clocks. The dreamlike scene questions the stability of time, space and reality, suggesting these concepts are far less fixed than they seem. With its haunting imagery and unsettling calm, it became one of the most iconic works of the 20th century. Its themes of impermanence and the subconscious continue to influence how we think about Surrealism, securing Dalí’s place as a leading figure of the Surrealist movement.

17. Frida Kahlo, The Two Fridas (1939)

Mexican artist Frida Kahlo painted The Two Fridas in 1939, portraying two versions of herself seated side by side, their hearts exposed and connected by a single vein. One wears European-style clothing, the other traditional Mexican dress, reflecting her mixed heritage and the inner conflict between these identities. Created shortly after her divorce from fellow artist Diego Rivera, the work also captures the heartbreak of their separation and the emotional strain of feeling divided between two worlds. Rich in symbolism and emotional intensity, this haunting double self-portrait has become one of Kahlo’s celebrated modern art paintings.

18. Famous Artwork: Banksy, Girl with Balloon (2002)

British street artist Banksy created Girl with Balloon in the early 2000s, showing a young child reaching towards a heart-shaped balloon drifting out of reach. Simple in form yet rich in meaning, it speaks to themes of hope, loss and innocence. The work combines the immediacy of street art with a universal emotional pull, making it one of the most recognisable images in contemporary art. It is also one of the most famous contemporary artworks of the 21st century.

19. Edward Hopper, Nighthawks (1942)

American artist Edward Hopper painted Nighthawks in 1942, showing a near-empty diner glowing under harsh fluorescent light while the surrounding streets sit in shadow. The scene captures a sense of quiet stillness, yet also a deep loneliness, reflecting the isolation often felt in modern urban life. Its precise lines, cinematic composition and dramatic lighting have made it one of the most recognisable images in American art. Beyond its beauty, the painting resonates because it tells a story without words, influencing film, photography and visual storytelling for generations.

20. Piet Mondrian, Broadway Boogie Woogie (1942–43)

Dutch artist Piet Mondrian painted Broadway Boogie Woogie in 1942–43, using small squares of red, blue, yellow and white to create a vibrant grid that seems to pulse with movement. Inspired by the city’s streets and syncopated jazz rhythms, Mondrian translated the energy of New York into pure abstraction. As his final completed work, it stands out for bridging the gap between modernist ideals of harmony and the dynamism of everyday urban life. Its lively, musical quality has made it one of the most celebrated paintings of the 20th century.

21. Andy Warhol, Marilyn Diptych (1962)

“Detail – Andy Warhol’s ‘Marilyn’s Diptych’ (1962)” by Andrew Moore, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

American artist Andy Warhol created his Marilyn Diptych in 1962, using a press photograph of Marilyn Monroe repeated in vibrant colour and fading black and white. The work reflects on the glamour and fragility of celebrity, with the repetition echoing mass production and the endless circulation of her image. Part tribute and part commentary on fame and consumer culture, it became one of the defining works of Pop Art. Its bold imagery and cultural resonance have kept it among the most recognisable contemporary artworks in the world.

22. Julie Mehretu, Stadia II (2004)

Ethiopian-born artist Julie Mehretu painted Stadia II in 2004, layering architectural plans, maps, national flags and sweeping gestural marks into a vast, dynamic composition. The work captures the energy and turbulence of a world shaped by global events, migration and cultural exchange. Merging elements of abstraction with references to real structures and symbols, Mehretu creates a visual language that reflects the interconnected chaos of contemporary life. Stadia II stands as one of her most celebrated works, admired for its scale, complexity and ambition.

23. Roy Lichtenstein, Whaam! (1963)

“Roy Lichtenstein’s Whaam! (1963) at Tate Modern” by André Luís, licensed under CC BY 2.0.

American artist Roy Lichtenstein painted Whaam! in 1963, adapting a scene from a comic book into a large-scale canvas. Bold outlines, Ben-Day dots and bright primary colours transform familiar popular imagery into something striking and monumental. The work challenged ideas about what subjects could belong in fine art and became one of the most recognisable pieces of Pop Art, celebrated for its energy, scale and cultural impact. This is a key example of the shift that occurred in modern art paintings during this period.

24. El Anatsui, Earth’s Skin (2007)

Ghanaian artist El Anatsui created Earth’s Skin in 2009 from thousands of recycled bottle caps connected with copper wire, forming a shimmering, tapestry-like surface. The intricate folds and metallic colours transform discarded materials into something monumental and striking. Drawing on traditional African craft as well as global abstraction, the work reflects themes of consumption, transformation and cultural exchange. Earth’s Skin is celebrated for its beauty, scale and ability to bridge local histories with a wider international dialogue, making it one of the most famous contemporary artworks.

25. David Hockney, A Bigger Splash (1967)

"A Bigger Splash” (1967, acrylic on canvas) by David Hockney, photographed by Ian Burt, licensed under CC BY 2.0.

British artist David Hockney painted A Bigger Splash in 1967, showing the moment after a dive into a bright blue pool, with no figure in sight. The sharp lines, flat planes of colour and intense Californian light create a sense of stillness that contrasts with the burst of water. This blend of precision and suggestion captures the atmosphere of West Coast modern life in the 1960s. Over time, it has become one of the most recognisable modern art paintings of the postwar era.

Expand Your Collection with Today’s Most Exciting African Artists

Today, a new wave of African contemporary artists is expanding the global art conversation and shining a spotlight on African creativity. Artists such as Helen Zeray, who experiments with texture and form; Fanuel Leul, whose Afrofuturistic vision reimagines African identity through digital storytelling; and Godswill Utong, who creates striking surreal compositions, are continuing this momentum. Their work adds fresh perspectives to the international art scene while celebrating the diversity and innovation of African art today. These artists are creating the next generation of famous artworks, building on the traditions of classic modern art paintings. Browse our full collection and take home a piece from the artists shaping the future.

 

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