Over half of Brits haven't heard of Vincent van Gogh's 'Starry Night' painting
Three in ten Brits admit they have never heard of Leonardo da Vinci's famous mural painting, “The Last Supper” – and over half (53%) are unaware of Vincent van Gogh's iconic “The Starry Night”.
Other masterpiece works of art that Brits have never encountered include van Gogh's “Sunflowers” (27%), Edvard Munch's “The Scream” (31%), and “Girl With A Pearl Earring”, by Johannes Vermeer (46%).
It even emerged that four in ten (39%) can't name a single artwork by van Gogh, while 68% said the same of Pablo Picasso – and 62% don't even know the names of any paintings by more modern street artist, Banksy.
The survey of 2,000 adults found that 46% confess they are “clueless” when it comes to legendary painters or their notable works – with Edward Hopper (78%) and Henri Matisse (43%) among others they have never heard of.
However, 38% are eager to improve their knowledge of the subject – with 61% claiming that art, and especially “public art”, is important to the cultural identity of local communities.
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The study was commissioned by DS Automobiles, as the brand reveals a series of art tours featuring the locations of “public art” – statues, sculptures, murals, graffiti, and more – which can be seen for free.
But four in ten are keen to improve their knowledge on the subject (DS Automobiles)This comes as the study found 55% admitted entrance fees or admission costs put them off visiting local art galleries, cultural attractions, or events.
It also emerged one in three aren’t clued up as to the whereabouts of local art initiatives, galleries, or public art installations. Julie David, managing director of DS Automobiles UK, said: “When travelling, it’s often easy to stop and take in your surroundings, running the risk of missing out on some of the accessible cultural experiences that the UK has to offer.
“We hope that our new Art Tour routes offer drivers the opportunity to experience more of the cultural experiences that the UK has to offer, whilst bringing a little bit of the French Art of Travel to the roads of the UK.”
The study also found that almost two-thirds (63%) don’t know the names of any Andy Warhol works, and 74% don’t know any by Rembrandt.
However, the findings don’t necessarily mean those polled aren’t interested in, or appreciative of, art – as more than half (53%) said it has the power to change perceptions of a particular village, town, city, or region.
Further to this, the study, carried out through OnePoll, found the appeal of art is such that a quarter of adults have purposefully taken a detour during a drive, just to see an area’s street art.
And further underlining their love of this method of creativity, 55% said public art installations, such as murals or sculptures in their community, “enhance” their day.
TOP 10 ARTWORKS UK ADULTS HAVEN’T HEARD OF:
- “Nighthawks” by Edward Hopper – 87%
- “A Bar at the Folies-Bergère” by Édouard Manet – 80%
- “American Gothic” by Grant Wood – 77%
- “The Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli – 66%
- “The Kiss” by Gustav Klimt – 63%
- “The Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh – 53%
- “Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Johannes Vermeer – 46%
- “The Scream” by Edvard Munch – 31%
- “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci – 30%
- “Sunflowers” by Vincent van Gogh – 27%
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