There are several lists that provide an opinionated perspective of the most influential visual artists of all time. This list, however, is not one of them.

Sure, this list includes some of the greatest artists of all time, but this list is about influence. What sort of an impact did this specific artist have on other artists, the evolution of historical art movements, and the field of visual art as a whole? And while some of the names in this list may surprise you, others may not.

Leonardo Da Vinci (1452 – 1519)

No list of influential visual artists would be complete without mentioning Leonardo Da Vinci. Da Vinci was a man of “many hats,” but he is most renowned for producing the most iconic artwork of all time, The “Mona Lisa.”

It is possible to claim that Leonardo Da Vinci was one of the most important figures in history. In addition to his contemporaries, Da Vinci has impacted innumerable painters and artisans throughout history.

Michelangelo (1475 – 1564)

Michelangelo, a genuine artist (sculptor and painter), affected painters as well as sculptors throughout history. Michelangelo is primarily known for his “David” and the iconic frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. His paintings affected many, most notably his Renaissance colleagues and artists such as Raphael.

Titian (1480 – 1576)

Titian is regarded as one of the most important Italian artists of all time. Most of his paintings depicted religious settings, but with dramatic attention to detail. Titian has had a profound impact on other painters, with El Greco topping the list.

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606 – 1669)

This Dutch painter cum printmaker is regarded as the “first artist to create for the sake of art.” He is, ironically, the most prolific Biblical painter in history. He is well-known for his extensive art collection and outstanding portraits. The majority of them were self-portraits.

Rembrandt has a huge effect on a wide range of genres. Many portrait artists credit Rembrandt for inspiring their composition and brushstroke technique. Rembrandt influenced several Romantic artists, including Georges Seurat, who cited Rembrandt as a major influence on his work.

Paul Cezanne (1839 – 1906)

Paul Cezanne is known as the “Father of Modern Art.” How’s that for prestige? Cezanne was a French Post-Impressionist painter who helped bridge the gap between Impressionism and Cubism. Cezanne was fascinated with breaking down items into their essential forms and shapes, as well as how humans see objects.

Since we view with two eyes, we effectively perceive two distinct images. Cezanne wished to depict this in his paintings. Picasso and Matisse both cite Cezanne as a direct influence on their painting approaches.

Claude Monet (1840 – 1926)

With his painting “Impression-Sunrise,” Monet is regarded as the pioneer of Impressionism. Impressionism emphasizes free brushstrokes and optical color perceptions. The Impressionist movement, which includes artists such as Renoir, Manet, and Seurat, influenced Van Gogh and many subsequent abstract artists.

Vincent Van Gogh (1853 – 1890)

It is impossible to discuss the most influential visual artists of all time without discussing Vincent Van Gogh. Van Gogh did not decide to become an artist until he was nearing the end of his life. In that little time, though, he produced nearly 800 paintings.

His understanding of color relationships and distinct brush technique have established him as one of the most profound and greatest artists of all time. Van Gogh’s legacy lives on today. His work inspires Modern Impressionists all across the world and as the most well-known artist in history, his works and legacy are presented to new artists on a regular basis.

Pablo Picasso (1881 – 1973)

Pablo Picasso is undoubtedly one of the most influential visual artists of all time. Picasso, the co-founder of Cubism, changed the face of art.

Picasso, a prodigy of creative ability, altered the way painters approached a canvas. Cubism ushered in the realm of Abstraction and a new way of looking. Picasso is said to have influenced painters such as Salvador Dali and Paul Klee, among many others.