Secrets in plain view

The dark side of art: 15 hidden secrets in famous masterpieces

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Art is often more than just visually stunning; it can carry deep, hidden meanings and symbols that offer a richer experience when understood. From elements that tell part of the artwork’s story to deliberate messages and strange secrets, here are 15 famous artworks with hidden layers you might not have noticed before.

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Though the Mona Lisa is perhaps the most famous painting in the world, the identity of the woman in the portrait has long been a subject of debate. Most scholars believe she is Lisa Gherardini, a Florentine woman married to a wealthy merchant, Francesco del Giocondo. However, numerous alternative ideas have emerged, including theories that the subject is an idealized figure or even a concealed self-portrait of Da Vinci.

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Rodin’s famous sculpture, The Thinker, was originally conceived as part of a larger work but became iconic in its own right. Despite its fame, many curious facts about the sculpture are often overlooked. For example, its original name was actually The Poet, which supports the theory that the statue was meant to depict Dante.

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Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus blends classical mythology with Renaissance ideals of beauty. Venus, standing on a shell, symbolizes divine beauty and spiritual rebirth. Curiously, some believe it was modeled after the long-lost Venus Anadyomene, a painting by the ancient Greek artist Apelles, known only through Roman author Pliny the Elder’s description.

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Munch’s The Scream captures a moment of extreme emotional distress. The swirling sky, vivid in color, reflects the inner turmoil of the subject. While Munch claimed the inspiration came from a panic attack he experienced while walking, some argue that the red skies may have been inspired by the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883, which caused vivid sunsets around the world.

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In Raphael’s The School of Athens, ancient philosophers are depicted in conversation, but the placement of the figures is deliberate. Plato and Aristotle are centrally placed, with Plato pointing upwards, symbolizing his belief in ideal forms, while Aristotle’s gesture points horizontally, emphasizing his empirical approach.

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The Statue of Liberty is not just a symbol of freedom; its design includes several symbolic elements. The broken chain at her feet represents the abolition of slavery, while the torch symbolizes enlightenment. But most curiously, Lady Liberty's face is said to have been modeled after the artist Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi's mother.

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Da Vinci’s Last Supper holds numerous symbols, most notably the geometric composition. The table itself forms a triangle, symbolizing the Holy Trinity, while Christ’s position in the center divides the composition into a perfect balance of divine and human. Even the placement of Judas, isolated from the others on the opposite side of Christ, visually hints at his betrayal.

Credit: Ján Jakub Naništa

Grant Wood’s iconic American Gothic has often been interpreted as a commentary on rural American values, but there are more layers to the painting. In fact, it was inspired by a real house built in the style of "Carpenter Gothic," which Wood found rather pretentious for such a humble home. The characters, however, aren’t the real inhabitants of the house but Wood’s dentist and his sister.

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The Venus de Milo represents idealized beauty in ancient Greek sculpture, but its missing arms add to its mystery. The lost limbs have sparked theories about its original pose, enhancing the statue's allure. Interestingly, some suggest the figure may not depict Aphrodite/Venus at all, but Amphitrite, the sea goddess worshiped on the island of Milos.

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A master of visual storytelling, Rembrandt was well known for including hidden messages and symbolism. In his masterpiece The Night Watch, some believe the artist makes a subtle cameo. In the middle of the painting, behind a man in green and a guard with a metal helm, you can spot a faint figure, widely thought to be Rembrandt himself.

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Leonardo’s Vitruvian Man is not just a study of human anatomy; it symbolizes the Renaissance belief in the harmony between art and science. But beyond the perfect proportions, keen observers have noted that the man depicted appears to suffer from an inguinal hernia—an ailment that could have been fatal at the time. Given that artists often used cadavers as models, it's likely that Leonardo based the figure on a real, deceased individual.

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Klimt’s The Kiss is renowned for its use of gold leaf, evoking the sacred beauty of religious art found in churches. Some art historians even speculate that the lovers in the painting are not just symbolic figures, but a representation of Klimt himself and his long-time partner, fashion designer Emilie Flöge.

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Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People uses the allegorical figure of Liberty to symbolize the spirit of revolution during France's July Revolution of 1830. However, the woman in the painting has a name—_Marianne_—a powerful symbol of the French Republic ever since the first French Revolution of 1789.

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Van Gogh's Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear captures a deeply personal moment following the infamous incident in which he—allegedly—severed his own ear. However, some art historians now believe that the wound was in fact the product of an altercation with friend and fellow artist Paul Gauguin. A deft fencer, Gauguin might have acted in self-defense during a violent bout of psychosis of his friend.

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Michelangelo’s David symbolizes strength and humanism, embodying both intellectual and physical power. While its proportions follow classical ideals, David’s unusually large head and oversized right hand stand out. Additionally, his heart-shaped pupils are a curious detail, possibly symbolizing his love for Florence or a playful nod to the letter "D," often depicted as a heart in Renaissance art.

Out-of-this-world icons

Let them "phone home": 10 famous characters from distant planets

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Although we can't all jump on a spaceship to explore other planets yet, science fiction has given us a glimpse into what creatures from distant worlds might look like. From cute and funny to sinister and menacing, many of these extraterrestrial characters have touched our hearts and become unforgettable. ALF, E.T., and Chewbacca are just a few of the iconic names from other planets we'll explore in this article. Let's get started!

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We are off to a great start! One of the most famous figures in science fiction cinema, the iconic Darth Vader first appeared in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977).

Anakin Skywalker -his real name- comes from a planet called Tatooine, but he's much more than just an alien. His character evolves as the story progresses, demonstrating great emotional and psychological depth. His legendary black mask and his deep voice are some of the characteristics that best define The Dark Lord of the Sith.

Did you know that Washington National Cathedral features a gargoyle on its facade with the face of this character?

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Ridley Scott's 1979 film Alien is one of those that made many of us fear encounters of the third kind.

Although many people refer to it simply as "the alien," the extraterrestrial species in the film is called the Xenomorph, and it is quite terrifying. Its most fearsome features include its elongated head, slick skin, and, of course, its jaws lined with sharp teeth.

The predatory nature of the Xenomorph enables it to adapt to various environments and hunt any prey, including humans. If, after all this, you still feel like encountering alien species, remember: "In space, no one can hear you scream."

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But now, let's set aside the terrifying aliens and focus on the ones we like better.

The Looney Tunes is an undisputed classic, and among its members, we all remember Marvin the Martian. As his name suggests, Marvin is not from Earth, and he stands out with his iconic look: old Roman-style war helmet, green uniform, and sneakers. In addition, his large, expressive eyes cover a large part of his face.

Although we really like Marvin, we have to remember that his evil plan in the show was aimed at us: his main goal was to destroy Earth. Luckily for us, he never succeeds!

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Some characters instantly give off good vibes, and that's exactly the case with E.T., the star of one of the most beloved movies for both adults and children.

While the 1982 movie doesn't reveal the name of his home planet, we do know that his name, E.T., stands for "Extra-Terrestrial." His glowing finger, huge eyes, and gentle nature are some of the defining characteristics of this friendly alien.

But E.T. is not just a pretty face; he has powers we humans could only dream of. He possesses telekinetic abilities, the power to heal wounds, and can even communicate telepathically!

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When it comes to wise extraterrestrials, we can't overlook the incredible Yoda.

One of the most famous and remembered characters of the Star Wars universe, Yoda stands out for his greenish skin, bald head, big eyes, and long and pointed ears. Despite being only 2 to 3 feet tall, Yoda is incredibly powerful. He's a master of lightsaber combat and possesses a wisdom that few other characters can rival.

Calm and patient, Yoda is also known for his unique way of speaking, often putting together his sentences in object-subject-verb order, something rare in our language.

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If you think an alien can't make you laugh out loud, it means you haven't watched the ALF TV show.

In 1986, a friendly extraterrestrial appeared on our television screens to make our days a bit more fun. Even though ALF came from a distant, completely different planet, he spoke perfect English and had a great sense of humor that fit right in with ours.

ALF, short for "Alien Life Form," came from the planet Melmac. After his spaceship crash-landed on Earth, he was taken in by the Tanners, who made him a part of their family (well, you know, except for the family cat).

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Maybe because he's not green or blue and doesn't have giant eyes or pointed ears, we sometimes forget Superman is also an alien.

But just because he looks like an ordinary human from Earth doesn't mean he lacks extraordinary powers. Along with his heat vision, super speed, and super strength, he has one ability we all dream of: he can fly "faster than a speeding bullet!"

Superman was born Kal-El, and he came from the planet Krypton. To save him from Krypton's destruction, his parents sent him to Earth, where he landed in Smallville. There, he was adopted by the Kent family, and the rest is history!

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Leonard Nimoy was the first actor to bring to life a character that has crossed generations: the unforgettable Spock from the Star Trek franchise.

His bowl-cut hair and pointed ears are among the most iconic and often imitated features when people dress up as this beloved character. But, in addition to his peculiar appearance, he also has amazing powers, such as superintelligence and telepathic abilities.

Although Spock was born on the planet Vulcan, he is actually half-human, as his father is Vulcan, but his mother is from Earth. His Vulcan side makes him a very logical being, but his human side also gives him emotions and feelings that other Vulcans lack.

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With an appearance somewhat reminiscent of ALF but a completely different personality, Chewbacca is one of the most beloved characters of the Star Wars franchise. Known for his courage and loyalty, Chewbacca has been a part of the saga since the very first film, Episode IV: A New Hope (1977).

Chewbacca is a member of the Wookiee species and comes from the planet Kashyyyk. His appearance is imposing: standing about 7 feet tall, Chewbacca is covered in thick, long brown fur, with deep-set eyes and prominent teeth. In addition, his characteristic voice also makes him a very special character.

Credit: Stefan Grage

Okay, we know we promised 10 characters on this list, but we had to make an exception for Simpsons fans. We wouldn't dare separate Kang and Kodos!

These two creatures with funny names are the extraterrestrial beings that often appear in The Simpsons Halloween specials. As beloved as other classic characters, Kang and Kodos come from the planet Rigel VII and are known for their intelligence and ambition to conquer Earth. This duo has become very popular, showing up in many episodes with a lot of unforgettable moments and lines.