The most iconic acrylic paintings to date

Acrylic painting has a number of advantages over oil and watercolor. In fact, it combines the vividness of watercolor and the concentration of oil paints in a medium that even boasts of practical features like quick-drying application and general durability when compared to other media. It also became popular as a safer alternative for people who felt apprehensive about the continuous use of oil and the bad effects of inhaling the fumes. 

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Development of the medium from synthetic resins already began in the 19th century, but its prevalence only happened after World War II. Its adoption by the most iconic contemporary artists of the 20th century added to its appeal. Here are some of the best acrylic paintings that marked a new era in the visual arts: 

Untitled (Black on Grey) by Mark Rothko 

One of the most luminous proponents of Abstract Expressionism, Rothko’s color field paintings are some of the best representatives of the style. The intimations of a dark landscape are unusually sharp and biting with acrylic paints. 

200 Campbell Soup Cans by Andy Warhol 

The undisputed master and champion of Pop Art, Warhol’s Campbell works are iconic images that challenge people’s view of artistic production and subject. They might also say something about consumerism, but that is for another time. 

A Bigger Splash by David Hockney

Another pillar of Pop Art, David Hockney lived in California for a long time, and it is where he conceived his swimming pool paintings, a subject that would be associated with him. This work is one of them. The brightly lit surface made possible by acrylic paints implies so much more depth and mystery. 

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Vijaya Prakash Boggala enjoys watching cricket, tennis, basketball, and other live sports. As an artisan at heart, he enjoys a wide array of arts and is particularly fond of DIY projects. He paints and likes to use oils and acrylics on different media. To learn more about his other inclinations, visit this page.