Famous Paintings in the Tate Gallery: the Originals

1. Mandola by Georges Braque, 1910
2. Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose by John Singer Sargent, 1885
3. The Metamorphosis of Narcissus by Salvador Dalí, 1937
4. Fishermen at Sea by J. M. W. Turner, 1796
5. Of This Men Shall Know Nothing by Max Ernst, 1923
6. Autumn Cannibalism by Salvador Dalí, 1936
7. The Lady of Shalott by John William Waterhouse, 1888
8. The Sleeping Venus by Paul Delvaux, 1944
9. The Uncertainty of the Poet by Giorgio de Chirico, 1913
10. Self Portrait with Bandaged Ear and Pipe by Vincent van Gogh, 1889

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   Georges Braque (1882–1963)

   1. Mandola by Georges Braque, 1910

   Tate Gallery, London1910Oil on canvas (presumed)71 × 56 cm

   Rather than presenting a straightforward representation, Braque deconstructs the mandola (a lute-like instrument), fracturing its shape into a complex interplay of geometric planes. The painting is characterized by an intensely fragmented composition dominated by interlocking facets of muted tones – grays, browns, ochres, and subtle greens. Created during a period of intense collaboration with Pablo Picasso, “Mandola” exemplifies the core tenets of early Cubism. This work reflects Braque’s fascination with Paul Cézanne's emphasis on underlying structure and his exploration of how painters represent light and perspective.

   The originalOriginals by Georges Braque

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   John Singer Sargent (1856–1925)

   2. Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose by John Singer Sargent, 1885

   Tate Gallery, London1885Oil on canvas174 × 154 cm

   John Singer Sargent’s Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose (1885-86) is a landmark achievement in late Impressionism, subtly infused with Symbolist undertones. The painting portrays Dolly and Polly Barnard, daughters of illustrator Frederick Barnard and friends of Sargent, standing amidst a profusion of flowers at Farnham House in Broadway, Cotswolds, England. Acquired by Tate Britain in 1887 – the first Sargent work to enter a public museum collection – it remains one of his most beloved masterpieces and a cornerstone of late 19th-century art.

   The originalOriginals by John Singer Sargent

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   Salvador Dalí (1904–1989)

   3. The Metamorphosis of Narcissus by Salvador Dalí, 1937

   Tate Gallery, London1937Oil on canvas51 × 78 cm

   The tale – of a beautiful youth consumed by his own reflection and transformed into the narcissus flower – becomes a vehicle for exploring themes of identity, desire, and the destructive power of self-love. Executed in oil on canvas (51 x 78 cm), the work showcases Dalí's exceptional technical skill. Created during Dalí’s “paranoiac-critical period,” The Metamorphosis of Narcissus reflects his deep engagement with the psychoanalytic theories of Sigmund Freud.

   The originalOriginals by Salvador Dalí

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   J. M. W. Turner (1775–1851)

   4. Fishermen at Sea by J. M. W. Turner, 1796

   Tate Gallery, London1796Oil on canvas91 × 122 cm

   Fishermen at Sea, painted in 1796, is one of the earliest oil paintings exhibited by the renowned English artist Joseph Mallord William Turner. Turner was influenced by the tradition of nocturnal subjects popularized by artists such as Horace Vernet, Philip James de Loutherbourg, and Joseph Wright of Derby. Fishermen at Sea is not only an important work in Turner's oeuvre but also a significant piece in the history of British art.

   The originalOriginals by J. M. W. Turner

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   Max Ernst (1891–1976)

   5. Of This Men Shall Know Nothing by Max Ernst, 1923

   Tate Gallery, London1923Oil on canvas81 × 64 cm

   The artwork presents a surreal scene dominated by elongated humanoid figures suspended in mid-air, connected by strings to celestial bodies. Created in 1923, "Of This Men Shall Know Nothing" reflects the influence of Giorgio de Chirico and mail-order catalogues on Ernst's work. The painting shares features with Silberer's diagram, including a landscape setting and alchemical motifs. This period marked Ernst's transition from Dada to Surrealism, characterized by his use of symbolic imagery.

   The originalOriginals by Max Ernst

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   Salvador Dalí (1904–1989)

   6. Autumn Cannibalism by Salvador Dalí, 1936

   Tate Gallery, London1936Oil painting60 × 60 cm

   The central focus is a large, distorted face or head that dominates the foreground, surrounded by smaller elements such as hands, rocks, and organic shapes. The subject matter of "Autumn Cannibalism" is abstract and open to interpretation.

   The originalOriginals by Salvador Dalí

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   John William Waterhouse (1849–1917)

   7. The Lady of Shalott by John William Waterhouse, 1888

   Tate Gallery, London1888Oil-on-canvas

   This 1888 painting is a mesmerizing representation of Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem of the same name, blending vivid colors and intricate details to create a scene of haunting beauty. The artwork depicts Elaine of Astolat, a young noblewoman from Arthurian legend, who is cursed to live in isolation in a tower near Camelot. Waterhouse's fascination with Tennyson's poetry and Arthurian themes is evident in this piece, which he painted as part of a series exploring the Lady of Shalott's story.

   The originalOriginals by John William Waterhouse

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   Paul Delvaux (1897–1994)

   8. The Sleeping Venus by Paul Delvaux, 1944

   Tate Gallery, London1944Oil on canvas173 × 199 cm

   A reclining nude – evoking the traditional Venus motif – dominates the foreground, yet she is far from the idealized beauty of Renaissance predecessors. Executed with oil on canvas (173 x 199 cm), Delvaux employs a refined technique characterized by smooth blending and meticulous detail. Delvaux himself stated his intention to contrast the “calm of Venus” with the surrounding “drama and anguish.” The painting can be interpreted as an allegory for the fragility of beauty and life amidst widespread destruction and uncertainty.

   The originalOriginals by Paul Delvaux

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   Giorgio de Chirico (1888–1978)

   9. The Uncertainty of the Poet by Giorgio de Chirico, 1913

   Tate Gallery, London1913Oil paint106 × 94 cm

   De Chirico's unique style blends elements of classical art with the avant-garde, creating a composition that is both visually striking and intellectually stimulating. The central figure of the painting is a classical-style statue with a blank, circular head placed on a green surface.

   The originalOriginals by Giorgio de Chirico

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    Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890)

    10. Self Portrait with Bandaged Ear and Pipe by Vincent van Gogh, 1889

    Tate Gallery, London1889Oil on canvas51 × 45 cm

    The painting emerged from a turbulent period in Van Gogh’s life. Following his arrival in Arles, he envisioned establishing an artist's colony with Paul Gauguin. While initially productive, their relationship quickly deteriorated, culminating in a violent altercation that led to Van Gogh’s self-mutilation.

    The originalOriginals by Vincent van Gogh

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   11. Snow Storm, Hannibal and his Army Crossing the Alps

   J. M. W. Turner · 1812

   Oil on canvas · 145 × 236 cm

   Painted in 1812, this monumental canvas transports us to the treacherous slopes of the Maritime Alps, where Hannibal Barca and his Carthaginian legions battled not only the elements but also the formidable local tribes defending their territory.

The Tate Gallery (Tate, National Gallery of British Art, Tate Museum) — museum — in London, United Kingdom. Its collection counts 293 approved works. Its highlights: British Collection, Works by J.M.W. Turner, Pre-Raphaelite paintings, David Hockney works, Salvador Dalí works, Georges Braque works, Camille Pissarro works. Our catalogue lists 293 of its paintings and works on paper, by 85 artists, dated 1592 to 1944.