"Desserts for the soul"

I recently asked my readers which work of art most inspires them. Here is what they told me.

The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci "It shows the last meal of a group of men that revolutionized the world whether you believe in their message or not. The painting was painted directly on the wall. It is beautiful and shows depth and perspective. It is interesting in the way that it was formatted--the figures are in groups of three, there are three windows behind the figure of Christ. Why did the artist paint it this way? - Laura R.

Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo

"It is so beautiful and leaves you in awe that someone could actually paint like that." Jackie T

"It glorifies God." Janel I

"The Creation of Adam takes me back to a time unknown--a time I wish I could have experienced." - Jodia J.

“When I zero in on our Creator touching Adam, it’s feels as though He is touching me . . . giving me life and love all over again.” - Marti P.

Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh  

"While he did so many lovely daylight paintings, this one really tugs at my heartstrings because I’m a night owl – he was  such a tortured soul, and never got the recognition during his lifetime. I hope he knows now how much he is loved!" - Theresa C.

"It makes me feel like possibilities are endless." - Ann Maria M.

"Everything is in continuous motion and I imagine it to be never ending. Just like our lives." - Chrystalin R.

“The colors of the night sky swirling amongst the stars keeps me hopeful and excited about our ever-changing world.  It calms me when I'm agitated, relaxes me when I'm stressed and worried. Just overall beautiful." - Monica Jamison 

The Pioneer by Frederick McCubbin

"A painting of early life in Australia. The three panels tell a poignant story of arriving in a strange place, miles from anywhere, and the despair and fear of this new life, the next is perhaps acceptance, and lastly – is he burying his wife or child?"- Judy D.

Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci

"She looks so serene, something I would like to be." - Alfreda M.

"My painting is of course the 'Mona Lisa.' I love her little smirk. I was however named after the song by Nat King Cole. When I was a little girl I actually got to go to the Louvre to see her however photographs were not allowed. I wanted to stand by her and get my picture taken with her, but oh well, I understood the need to protect the precious artwork." - Mona Lisa S.

Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer

“The Look on her face” - V.C. Waterhouse

Gothic and Unusual

"I don't have a specific piece of art that inspires me but a type of art. I love gothic and the unusual. I enjoy out of the box, freaky and creative thinking.

It inspires me to dig deeper into my imagination and find my own out of the box creativity."- Katrina D.

Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci

“Yes, Christ is dressed in Renaissance blue, but it's him holding the crystal orb, the dots in the orb, the Christ sign Jesus is making... it's the whole picture that seems and feels enigmatic and secretive. Like, step a little closer and I'll let you in on cosmic secrets your soul is yearning for.” - Beverly D.

Small Worlds I by Vasily Kandinsky

"Kandinsky’ paintings like 'Small worlds I' or Composition 6 and Tchaikovsky’ Piano concerto 1, B flat, as they keep secrets you can discover by taking time to watch or listen with patience and attention. They are desserts for the soul." - Lida H.

Café Terrace at Night by Vincent van Gogh,

"I can always picture myself on the Terrace just taking it all in and enjoying the hauntingly beautiful atmosphere." - Grace Henley

Don Quixote by Pablo Picasso

"I have always been inspired by the book and the artwork captures my idea of the main characters. I have a copy that hung in my dining room until I moved 2 years ago and am still looking for the best place for it in my new home." - Shirley C.

Christus by Bertel Thorvaldsen.

"It reminds me of His love for all of us, and inspires me to love others as He loves me." - Susan C.

Black-capped Chicadee by Joe Garcia

"I love the way Joe paints birds and the detail that goes into each one, he has become a good friend of mine and it was interesting to see his studio and learn how much time he puts in there every day! He also has a wood deck in front of their little wood house in Julian, CA and down below out in front are huge bird feeders. He inspires me to want to paint again and get back into my drawing.- Judy Escoto

The Church at Auvers by Vincent van Gogh

"His story is one that hits quite close to home in some ways. All of his paintings are mesmerising, but this specific one calls to me in a way that I have never felt before.

Additional bit of information: This painting and a few others were in a Doctor Who episode of which was dedicated to Vincent van Gough." - Dani C.

San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk by Claude Monet

"My favorite paintings are by Monet, especially his sunsets." - Donna M.

David by Michelangelo

"It is so life like and you feel that he can walk away. Every little detail is perfection. It is so amazing, awesome,and inspiring to see in person." - Marlene O.

Rue Venice by Maurice Utrillo -

“I have had this for about 20 years and look at it everyday and gives me inspiration” - Jodi F.

Peach Tree in Blossom by Vincent van Gogh

"That painting is so beautiful and happy. Vincent struggled through so many difficulties, yet was able to create these amazing works that make people happy, and I think, made him happy, too.

An interesting thing about van Gogh, is that he's believed to have had migraines (he often complained of severe headaches in his letters to his brother Theo) which, as a neurological disorder, was misdiagnosed as a mental illness during his lifetime. The swirly halos around the stars in 'Starry Night' are reminiscent of the auras some, but not all, migraineurs have prior to a migraine. I have this same disorder, so he inspires me to keep going, and to know that I can make beautiful, happy things in my life, too." - Joy S

Other Works of Art

"I don't know if it counts but I a have a large print that says, 'COEXIST.' It's a reminder that we all should get along regardless of our race, spiritual beliefs, sexual orientation, background or political leanings." - Betty Downs

"COEXIST"

"It's a hard call: my house is a cross between a museum and a library. Notwithstanding the paintings and prints by known artists, and the original sculptures, the work of art that most inspires me is a collage by my grandson because.... a child's imagination is beyond value." Janet Lerner