As a responsible blogger I feel that it is my duty to provide information

that you might need when browsing for art at flea markets, estate sales,

auctions or thrift shops.  (Remember the Faberge egg found at a flea market?)

This information will also come in handy at

least once in your life at a cocktail party.

Petit Poulailler

Titian

If the images have dark backgrounds and everyone

has tortured expressions on their faces, it's Titian.

Tiziano Vecellio (Titian), 1488-1576

Jan Van Eyck

If everyone - including the women - looks

like Vladimir Putin, it's van Eyck.

Jan van Eyck, 1390-1441

El Greco

If everything is highly-contrasted and sharp and

everyone has gaunt bearded faces, it's El Greco.

El Greco, born Domenikos Theotokopoulos,

1541-1614

Amerighi da Caravaggio

If all the men look like cow-eyed, curly-haired women

and there are clusters of grapes, it's Caravaggio.

Amerighi da Carravaggio, 1571-1610

Michelangelo

If everyone is beautiful, semi-naked, and

looks guilty, it's Michelangelo.

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni,

1475-1564

 Peter Paul Rubens

If everyone in the painting has enormous

rear-ends, it's Rubens.

Sir Peter Paul Rubens, 1577-1640

Rembrandt

If everyone looks like hobos illuminated only

by a dim streetlamp, it's Rembrandt.

Rembrandt van Rijn, 1606-1669

Edgar Degas

If all you see are ballerinas, it's Degas.

Edgar Degas, 1834-1917

Claude Monet

If it looks "dabby" and out of focus, it's a Monet.

Claude Monet, 1840-1926

Vincent van Gogh

If it looks like paint-by-numbers using

straw, it's van Gogh. 

Vincent Willem van Gogh, 1853-1890

Pablo Picasso

If you see a dozen eyes and noses but there's

only one person in the painting, it's Picasso.

Pablo Ruiz y Picasso, 1881-1973

Jackson Pollock

If it looks like your 3 year old could have painted it, it's Pollock.

Paul Jackson Pollock, 1912-1956

Andy Warhol:

"Art is whatever you can get away with."

Andy Warhol, 1928-1987

There you have it - your simplified guide to great

art over the last 500 years.  You're welcome.