Witnessing the world’s greatest artistic treasures in person is a voyage into the very center of what it means to be human. From the enigmatic smile of the Mona Lisa to the ethereal swirls of Van Gogh’s Starry Night, these iconic paintings have transcended time and culture, etching their brilliance into the annals of art history and the minds of generations of art lovers.

If you would like to experience these masterpieces yourself, here’s our city by city guide. So pack your curiosity and come with us on a pilgrimage to witness firsthand the profound magic that only great art can conjure.

The Creation of Adam is significant not just for its profound depiction of God giving life to Adam, but also for Michelangelo’s mastery of anatomy, dynamic composition, and emotional depth, exemplifying the High Renaissance style.

Van Gogh’s The Starry Night is easily the most instantly recognizable painting in New York City’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). The museum is typically pretty crowded, and there’s almost always a crowd waiting to get a close look at Van Gogh’s most iconic painting. But once you’re able to get a moment with the painting, you’ll be struck by it vibrancy and intense emotional power. Van Gogh is in fact noted for his revolutionary depiction of emotion through vibrant colors and dynamic brushwork.

There’s a real dichotomy in the painting. The swirling sky and looming cypress tree evoke intense, anxious feelings, while the village below exudes tranquility. The bold use of color and thick impasto technique reflect Van Gogh’s wild emotional state and inner turmoil. This masterwork reflects Van Gogh’s post-impressionist style, merging reality and imagination and building a bridge to the expressionistic style that was to emerge in the 20th century.

Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring is a pinnacle of Dutch Golden Age portraiture. Painted around 1665, it epitomizes Vermeer’s mastery of light, texture, and psychological depth. The enigmatic girl’s gaze, the luminous pearl, and the play of shadow and color reveal Vermeer’s exceptional skill in capturing the essence of his subjects.

The painting is located in the Mauritshuis in The Hague in The Netherlands. The allure of the painting stems partly from its mysterious narrative and timeless beauty, inviting viewers to contemplate both the subject’s identity and the painter’s technical finesse. The painting embodies the era’s focus on individuality and the interplay between reality and idealism, while also standing as an iconic symbol of art’s ability to capture the essence of what it is to be human.

Edvard Munch’s The Scream is a symbolist masterpiece created in 1893. The profound and lasting impact of the painting lies in its visceral depiction of existential angst and emotional turmoil, encapsulating the uncertainties and anxieties of the modern human experience. The distorted figure against a swirling, vivid sky creates a sense of alienation, fear, and inner torment, evoking a universal sense of isolation and vulnerability.

The Scream is housed in the National Gallery and Munch Museum in Oslo, Norway. In its time, the painting and its raw expressionism defied traditional norms, reflecting Munch’s personal struggles and resonating with the turbulence of a changing world. But The Scream also transcends its specific context to become an enduring symbol of human fragility, resonating across generations and cultures.

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Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss was painted between 1907 and 1908, and is a quintessential example of symbolism and art nouveau. The painting’s sumptuous use of gold leaf, intricate patterns, and sensuous figures exemplifies Klimt’s distinctive style, combining classical forms with an innovative modern sensibility. Located at the Austrian Gallery Belvedere in Vienna, The Kiss is an exploration of love and connection. Its ornate design and symbolic details reflect the era’s fascination with spirituality, eroticism, and the interplay between masculine and feminine energies. But Klimt’s work also transcends its time, standing as a testament to the innovation and romanticism at the turn of the 20th century.

Have you ever seen any of these great paintings in person? Tell us about it in the comments below!