Francois De Cuvillies, Hall of Mirrors, Munich Germany.
Early 18th century

I really like the way the light blue walls contrast with the silver-bronze of the stucco relief. The relief has a somewhat lively effect that gives the appearance that it is growing upwards toward the ceiling. I also love the the mirrors and the concept of them. On sunny days the light will reflect off of them, lighting the room without the need for artificial lighting. This is something that I would love to see for myself someday.

PETER PAUL RUBENS, Consequences of War,
 1638–1639. Oil on canvas. Palazzo Pitti, Florence

Much like Rubens' other paintings, the realism and structure of each individual's body is amazing in Consequences of War. The way the light reflects off of the muscle tone an defines each curve makes the painting look very realistic and almost jump of the page at you.

PIETER CLAESZ, Vanitas Still Life,  
Oil on panel. 
Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg. 

I find the assortment of items in Claesz', Vanitas Still Life, very interesting. The cluster of random objects really catch my attention, especially the globe and the glass goblet. The way the light reflects off of both are very realistic. I also like that you can see a man's reflection in the background through the globe, as well as a scale of the room and a small window to the left.

Pietro Da Cortona, Triumph of the Barberini, ceiling
fresco in the Gran Salone, Palazzo Barberini, Rome , Italy.

My favorite thing about this fresco painting in the view of it. Looking up at a painting gives it a whole new perspective, and Cortona's  use of realism and 3D imagery make the image seem more than just a painting. It appears as though you are actually looking up at an actual event, not just a still image.

Giovanni Battista Gaulli, Triumph of the Name of Jesus, ceiling fresco, Rome, Italy

Just like Pietro Cortona's Triumph of the Berberini, I really like Gionanni Gaulli's Triumph of the Name of Jesus because of the perspective of looking upward at the image. I find the colors brilliant, especially in the center where there is a glimpse of heaven, and I love the 3D effect that this fresco portrays.

Albrecht Altdorfer,  Battle of Issues, 1529.
Oil on wood. Pinakothek, Munich

In Albrecht Altdorfer's work Battle of Issues, I really like the amount of detail he put into painting each individual troop, as well as all of their weapons. The color pallet really pops out at me. The way the color scheme goes from cool blues and grays at the top, to warmer hues of browns and reds towards the bottom really draws my attention to every part of the painting. The bird's-eye view of this this painting shows off Altdorfer's love of landscapes. In the distance, rocky mountain peaks rise next to a still body of water. The sight is almost surreal.

Quinten Massys, Money-Changer and His Wife, Oil on wood.
Musee du Louvre, Paris

I like the darkness of this painting. The clutter in the background and on the table make it seem really realistic, as well as the reference to the painting by Petrus Christus, A Goldsmith in His Shop. The convex mirror on the table reveals a reflection of the window, giving a glimpse of the outside world and creating a broader perspective of the room around them.

Leonardo Da Vinci, Mona Lisa, ca 1503-1505,
Oil on wood. Musee du Louvre, Paris 

Leonardo's Mona Lisa is probably the world's most famous portrait. I really like the realistic qualities in this painting. Leonardo gives her a gentle grin, rather the the normal serious, emotionless face in many other portraits. I also like that there is little symbolism in this painting. Mona Lisa is a convincing representation of an individual. It does not serve solely as an icon of status. She does not wear fancy robes and expensive jewels. Leonardo's portrait of this self'assured woman without exposing great wealth or a higher power, is truly quite remarkable.

Sistine Chapel, Vaticon City, Rome, Iltaly. Ceiling and
altar wall frescoe by Michelangelo Buonarroti.

Michelangelo Buonarroti is not only one of my favorite

artists, but his brilliant piece in the Sistine Chapel is one of my all time favorite works of art. Michelangelo focuses mainly on the realistic expressions on the human figure. To him, the human body is beautiful in its natural form, as well as its spiritual and philosophical significance. He made sure to capture this realism in his paintings. In the Sistine Chapel, many of the figures appear to be "painted sculptures."