What is the greatest piece of art in private collection?

How would we know if it’s not viewable? Am i being a dumbass? I really am confused.

fwrex, not a dumbass. I’m confused, too. How are we to know what art is in unviewable collections?

That’s a matter of personal opinion, but you can see a selection here and make a choice for yourself!

Ah, well, that’s better. Thanks Seesul.
Caravaggio’s work is amazing. He captures the light in such a magical way. But art like many things is subjective, so who’s to judge?
Maybe my son’s painting of a tulip from kindergarten is the greatest piece of art in a private collection? Who’s to say for sure?

@Dorkgirl Ya know I was actually gonna say “my own moleskine!” but was so confused that I didn’t know what to say. Either way I bet your son’s painting is better than my scribbles… damn.

This woman in the U.S. has one of the Crystal Skulls.

@ seesul – thanks for the link. I think it is a travesty that the images are so small.

Of those on the link I would say Rembrandt: “Self-portrait”, 1659. I think he was one of most powerful and gifted painters the world has ever seen.

tWrex—your little scribbles are cute, too. You just need to have your mom on Fluther to promote your work.
Now my kid draws things and gets them tattooed on himself. sigh what’s a mother to do?

I’m gonna go with Wassily Kandinsky: “Composition V”, 1911. I actually studied him in one of my first art classes and took a great deal of my abstract influence from his works. I suppose that my next choice would be Pablo Picasso: “Dora Maar au chat”, 1941. I actually don’t know why I like it. I just do.

@Dorkgirl LoL! I’ll ask her when I see her this weekend! And amusingly enough, I draw things and get them tattooed now too. My mother just throws her hands in the air. She’s grown accustomed to them now, though so now she asks what’s next.

@Bri-I agree, I actually found myself clicking on them, figuring they would enlarge. I’ve seen some of those in larger form, and I swear I’ve seen one or more before they went into private collections. I’ve seen some original Rembrandts and I have to agree with you, but I’m like a kid in a candy store in any gallery.

@ tWres – I agree kandinsky is amazing. I found his pieces to be an amazing mix of visual beauty and abstract functionalism, which isn’t that prominent in other artists of that style.

@ Seesul – Me to. There is no comparison no matter what your looking at.

That is the ONLY advantage to living in the terrible state of Illinois. We have the Art Institute, which is a 5 block walk from my college or a 30 minute drive from the house.

Can’t pick just one. Love the Rothko, though.

The vatican has way too many sculptures sequestered away.

Laocoön and His Sons is probably my favorite that’s hidden away. Sad.

GA, delirium.

They aren’t necessarily in “private collections”, but what about all the Egyptian tomb paintings? Man, some of those are simply incredible, and the public can’t see most of them.

There was this girl who had a STUNNING tattoo of the great wall of china that ran up her inner thigh to…...

The Scream (assuming it’s still missing)?

It isn’t: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scream

Thank goodness

@les well thats nice to know

The Whisper, The Snort and The Nose Pick are still missing however so keep your eyes open

Vermeer’s The Concert, Rembrandt’s Storm on the Sea of Galilee, and the others stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. What a tragedy.

Bri, you forgot “The Burp”

What is the use if it is not viewable by the public. Art is too be admired not hoarded.

An original piece doesn’t necessarily have to be in a public location to be viewable by the public. Copies are very common, and legitimate. Wanting to have an original piece of art in your home makes perfect sense. Its like collecting antique cars, or anything else. Its a way of feeling connected.

To own something beautiful isn’t a gesture of luxury, usually, but a gesture of admiration.

Also, if you didn’t have private patrons, we wouldn’t have any high art at all.