The First Paintings By Famous Artists

Where the masters got their start.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Among the more fascinating aspects of art history is how the field develops. This is meant not just as a general statement, but also artist-to-artist. Some come out of the gate firing on all cylinders, their visions and practices honed by a seemingly mystical place. Others take years to develop their signature styles. This development usually speaks to the overall purpose of the artist—the development is often much more interesting than any singular piece. That being said, it’s almost a requirement to look at an artist’s body of work on the largest possible time scale. Here are 20 of The First Paintings By Famous Artists

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Sandro Botticelli, Fortitude (1470)

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Leonardo da Vinci, The Adoration of the Magi (1481)

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Rembrandt, The Stoning of Saint Stephen (1625)

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Claude Monet View, From Rouelles (1858)

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Edgar Degas, The Bellelli Family (1858-1867)

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Edvard Munch, The Sick Child (1885)

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Vincent Van Gogh, The Potato Eaters (1885)

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Pablo Picasso, Le Picador (1890)

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Kandinsky, Odessa. Port. (1898)

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Georgia O'Keeffe, Untitled (Dead Rabbit With Copper Pot) (1908)

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Salvador Dali, Landscape Near Figueras (1910)

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Frida Kahlo, Self Portrait in a Velvet Dress (1926)

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Mark Rothko, Untitled (1940)

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Jackson Pollock, Mural (1943)

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Andy Warhol, The French Look (1950s)

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Cy Twombly, Untitled (1951)

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Robert Rauschenberg, White Painting (seven panel) (1951)

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Jasper Johns, Flag (1955)

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Roy Lichtenstein, Ten Dollar Bill (1956)

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Jean Michel Basquiat, Untitled, (1980)

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