Our history has been blessed with the genius and talent of so many gifted artists that have crafted the incredible master pieces that have motivated and inspired, not just an era, but for so long after they finished their paintings.

As it is true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it would be impossible to pick just a few and present them as the best without triggering fierce debate, of which it is not wise.

I have written a short reference to present top 3 most famous painters of all time.

1.Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519)- Renaissance

I think the number 1 spot belongs to the great Leonardo Da Vinci. We usually referred to as the father of Renaissance, and a master of perspective, the influence of Leonardo Da Vinci today extends far beyond the realm of artistic endeavor.

Inspired and encouraged by growing up in an environment rich in scholarly flavor there are about 15 significant art works credited to Leonardo Da Vinci, comprising paintings on panels, a large mural and some drawings. Leonardo Da Vinci is famous for his work in such fields as engineering, geometry, architecture.

Leonardo Da Vinci became the first painter, architect, and engineer for King Francis 1st in France. It was the King himself at his side on the 2nd of May, 1519 when he died.

Enter http://www.famouspainters.org to read more about the life of his genius.

2.Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)- Impressionist

The works of Vincent Van Gogh are perhaps the most easily recognized and remembered of any artist, well known or not.

Although he mostly created his master pieces with everyday objects, such as sunflowers and an empty chair, his art is really emotional.

Vincent Van Gogh was born the son of a pastor and spent his childhood in a cultured and religious surroundings. He first worked in a book store and as an art salesman before becoming a preacher for which he was latter fired for being overzealous. In 1880, he turned to the study of art with the determination to give joy by creating beauty.

Van Gogh suffered severe bouts of depression and has been known as a "difficult companion", an understated comment when considering that during one of his "difficult" episodes he attempted to attack his closest friend and peer, Gauguin, with a razor. The assault was successfully defended but Van Gogh then famously cut off a part of his own ear.

Van Gogh's depression and tantrums intensified and he began to suffer fits of madness and was admitted to an asylum.

In 1890, two months after his release from the asylum Vincent Van Gogh kill himself, only ever having sold 1 painting. Over 200 years after his death, or deeply tragic life, the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh are last forever.

http://www.famouspainters.org presents more on the troubled life of Vincent Van Gogh and the success of his determination 200 years later

3.Salvador Dali- (1904-1989)- Surrealism

The paintings of Salvador Dali depict unrealistic imaginary characters of burning giraffes and apparently melted wax watches. Salvador Dali proclaimed his own works as 'hand-painted dream photographs'.

Salvador Dali is famous for his many talents apart from sculpture, painting, jewelry design as well as theatre work, making the first ever surrealistic film, "Un chien andalou" in 1929 and also writing a novel, “Hidden Faces” in 1944.

Although Salvador Dali is famous for representing the surrealist era, he skillfully expanded his own version which he named 'critical paranoia'. His theory supporting critical paranoia is that one should nurture fantasy, although awareness and will suspended in thought.

If the sum of a man is his character, we would still be confused as to who Salvador Dali was. He cannot possibly be explained in few short paragraphs. If you think you can understand him in nature there emerges one more perspective.

Read about Salvador Dali in more detail on http://www.famouspainters.org