Ah, you guys got the good ones.

I'd also love:

Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights - I could stand in front of this painting for hours and still discover something new.

Bernini's Apollo and Daphne - I could circle this statue for hours and marvel at all the textures in the marble.

Monet's paintings in the Marmatton - we sat in the bottom level just soaking in all the wonderful colors.

Also, Caravaggio's Calling of St. Matthew. And I wouldn't return a Brueghel, either.

Well I have the painting I so love. It is a painting of The Castle of Congeliano. I love that castle and the view from the grounds of the castle. Painted by an unknown artist who was a friend of one of my friends in Italy. The night before I was flying home this painting was presented to me as a gift. Now getting it in my already packed suitcase was a bit of a struggle but it worked. I have it hanging in my living room and it gives me great joy. The painting and the thought behind it.

Velazquez' "Las Meninas" from the Prado in Madrid.

That painting is why I chose to study abroad in Spain and then to major in and work within the field of Art History. My high school teacher had a poster of it and I used to stare at it all the time. One day I remember wondering why the hell the Spanish princess was blonde. Then I wondered who all the people were. I sort of fell into it, and then moved there for my Sr. year.

After 7 months there, I finally went to Madrid and the first thing I did was visit the Prado not hard, as it is literally 4 blocks from the train station). I bought my ticket and practically ran to see it. I got very emotional and started to cry. I think it was just too much. I still cry when I see it, so I have to go alone.

If "Las Meninas" is unavailable in its original form, I would take one of the Picasso studies which, unlike Velazquez', always make me laugh.

Claire

Manet, Olympia

WK

So many to choose from!

It'd be
Vermeer's "View of Delft"

My jaw dropped when I first saw it. The light is absolutely stunning. And Proust agreed with me on that.

laclaire, what a wonderful story! I too enjoy that painting, the couple reflected in the mirror..and yes, she is a verrry blonde child LOL

It might be "Dejeuner sur l'herbe" by Manet, because I was so amazed to actually see it in person at the Musee d'Orsay. I still remember how I felt seeing it in person, instead of on the page of a book.