6 rare artworks from museums you can own for free

Renowned as one of the trailblazers of 20th-century abstract art, Dutch painter Piet Mondrian left an indelible mark on the art world with his iconic Composition series, which later served as inspiration for the legendary Mondrian dresses crafted by Yves Saint Laurent in 1966.

Yet, Mondrian’s artistic journey had humble beginnings rooted in the serene landscapes of his native Holland, particularly the flat expanses surrounding a small farm. 

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Among his early modernist works dating back to 1905, Farm near Duivendrecht held a special place in Mondrian’s heart, becoming a recurring subject of his artistic exploration. At times, he turned to this pastoral scene to take respite from his experiments with Cubism, while on other occasions, it was in response to the preferences of his wartime patrons, who favoured his earlier naturalistic compositions.

The evocative 1916 artwork remains in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.

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Manet, Renoir, Pissarro, Degas and Monet—these luminaries spearheaded the Impressionist movement in France, but it was American painter Childe Hassam who played a pivotal role in popularising Impressionism across the Atlantic.

Having honed his craft at the prestigious Parisian art school Académie Julian, Hassam returned to America armed with the techniques of French Impressionism, which he skillfully applied to his depictions of American cities and landscapes, such as his hometown of Boston and the bustling streets of New York City, where he settled upon his return from Paris.

In New York Street, available for public access via the Art Institute of Chicago’s archive, Hassam captured the dynamic energy of Fifth Avenue along Central Park. Employing a naturalistic approach to light, he utilised short, vibrant brushstrokes of colour—particularly reds and yellows—to infuse life into what would otherwise be a grey and white winter cityscape.

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Famous for his masterful brushwork, particularly in capturing the vibrant atmosphere of Spain bathed in sunlight, Joaquín Sorolla was celebrated as one of his nation’s greatest painters. 

This included 10 of Sorolla’s Impressionist beach scenes, which billionaire art collector J Paul Getty acquired in 1922, and many of which now grace the walls of the Getty Museum.

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Amongst the 88,000 plus artworks available for public access, The Wounded Foot stands out as a poignant example of his ability to capture fleeting moments of light, water and human interaction. Painted rapidly while Sorolla was on a beach in Valencia, this scene pulsates with life, as coloured reflections dance across the canvas, defining the forms of the figures and the sea itself.

In The Wounded Foot, Sorolla’s keen eye for detail is evident in the play of light on the injured child’s shoulder and the sand around her foot. The informal composition, with the child’s arm cut off at the left, lends it an air of spontaneity, as if the viewer has stumbled upon an intimate moment between two children on the shore.

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Often mistaken for a Pre-Raphaelite artist, English painter John William Godward’s works actually belong to the Victorian Neo-classical tradition. Despite this distinction, Godward shared with the Pre-Raphaelites a deep fascination with Classical civilisation, particularly Ancient Rome. His meticulous attention to detail, especially in his rendering of marble textures, delicate wildflowers and female portraiture, reflects his commitment to authenticity.

Reverie (In the Days of Sappho), a different perspective of Godward’s more important pictures of the period When the Heart is Young, offers a glimpse into his mastery of composition and his ability to capture the essence of a romantic daydream. 

Set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean, a young woman with lustrous raven-coloured hair is depicted in a moment of contemplation, surrounded by the portrayal of silk, fur and marble, which Godward renders with a striking degree of realism through the subtle interplay of colours—the soft pink of the toga, the golden ribbons and pale blue stola—adding depth and richness to the composition.

Although Godward’s style fell out of fashion with the rise of modern art, his vibrant and evocative paintings are nonetheless available for public access at the Getty Museum.

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Georges Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte is undoubtedly one of the most iconic works of French post-Impressionist art. While many may recognise the painting from its depiction of leisurely park activities on the island, others may recall it from cultural references such as the musical Sunday in the Park with George by James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim, or John Hughes’ Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

In Gray Weather, Grande Jatte, Seurat masterfully captures the vivid outdoor clarity of nature, utilising his innovative Divisionism or Pointillism technique. By applying small, distinct dots of colour in patterns, Seurat creates a nuanced depiction of light and atmosphere, allowing colours to blend seamlessly in the viewer's eye.

Originally exhibited in 1889, Gray Weather, Grande Jatte is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s downloadable collection, offering the public free access to this timeless masterpiece.

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William Merritt Chase, a notable advocate of Impressionism, demonstrated remarkable proficiency across various mediums, including oil painting, pastel, watercolour and etching, particularly in his portraits and landscapes. 

However, it was still life paintings that held a special place in his heart throughout his career, dating back to his days as a student. Chase’s skilful depiction of light on metallic surfaces, such as copper bowls and pitchers, paired well with his most renowned subject: dead fish.

Chase had a penchant for acquiring the fish, painting them swiftly, and returning them to the market before they spoiled–a practice that reflected his dedication to capturing the fleeting effects of light and texture.

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Still Life: Fish exemplifies his mastery in this genre. Through bold brushwork reminiscent of 17th-century Spanish still lifes, he transformed an ostensibly mundane scene–a plate of striped bass and salmon on the tabletop and a bowl in the dark-toned background—into a captivating and engaging composition with charm and allure.

Chase would also go on to establish Chase School, later the Parsons School of Design, while his notable artworks are on display at and made available in the public domain through the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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