Top 5 Facts About Art You Didn't Know
By Will Gryba
Art is everywhere - on walls, in books, across city streets, and tucked away in private collections. We admire it, discuss it, even argue about it. Yet, beneath the surface of the pieces we know and love are some fascinating details that often go unnoticed.
Here are five lesser-known facts about art that might just change the way you see it.
#1 Some of the Oldest Known Art Is Over 40,000 Years Old
While many people think of art as starting with ancient Egypt or the Renaissance, it goes back much, much further. The oldest known cave paintings, found in Indonesia and Spain, are over 40,000 years old, created with natural pigments on limestone cave walls.
These early works feature handprints, animals, and abstract symbols. It’s a powerful reminder that creativity isn’t a modern trait. Humans have been making marks and telling stories long before recorded history began.
#2 Van Gogh Only Sold One Painting During His Lifetime
Now one of the most celebrated names in art history, Vincent van Gogh struggled to gain recognition while he was alive. He produced over 2,000 artworks, many of them in his final two years, but is believed to have sold only one painting before his death.
That painting, The Red Vineyard, was sold for 400 francs (about £1,000 today). Posthumously, his work became central to modern art, with some pieces now fetching tens of millions at auction.
#3 The Mona Lisa Has No Eyebrows
It’s probably the most famous painting in the world, but take a closer look, and you’ll notice something missing. Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa has no visible eyebrows or eyelashes.
Some believe this was intentional, reflecting the beauty standards of the time. Others suggest the details may have faded or been removed during earlier cleaning and restoration. Whatever the reason, it hasn’t stopped her from becoming an icon of mystery and artistic mastery.
#4 Art Was Once an Olympic Event
From 1912 to 1948, the Olympic Games actually included competitions in art. Painters, sculptors, architects, and writers submitted works inspired by sport. Medals were awarded, just like in athletic disciplines.
Over time, the event was dropped as organisers wanted all competitors to be amateurs, something hard to guarantee in the art world. Still, it’s a quirky footnote in the long and varied history of art.
#5 Digital Art Has Been Sold for Tens of Millions
In 2021, a digital artwork by artist Beeple sold for over £50 million at a Christie’s auction – the first NFT (non-fungible token) ever sold by the auction house. The piece, titled Everydays: The First 5000 Days, was a collage of thousands of daily digital sketches.
It marked a major moment in art history, showing that digital creations could hold value on the same level as physical works. It also sparked wider conversations about ownership, originality, and what it means to collect art in the 21st century.
Did You Know Any of These?
Art isn’t just about what we see, it’s about the stories, oddities and surprises behind every canvas or sculpture. From ancient cave walls to auction room antics, it reflects who we are, where we’ve come from, and the questions we continue to ask.
And as these five facts show, there’s always something new to discover, even in the world’s oldest forms of expression.
