100+ Art Trivia Questions and Answers for Art Lovers and Party Games

I’m so excited to share this collection of art trivia questions with you today. Whether you’re planning a game night, looking to break the ice at a party, or just want to test your knowledge about the fascinating world of art, I’ve got you covered with over 100 questions that’ll challenge and entertain you.

Last weekend, I hosted a small gathering with friends where we played art trivia, and I was surprised by how competitive everyone got! Even my friend who claims to know nothing about art ended up answering some of the tougher questions correctly. It really brought the evening alive.

Famous Paintings and Artworks

Who doesn’t love a good story behind a famous painting? These questions cover some of the world’s most recognized masterpieces and the fascinating tales behind them.

Which famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci depicts a woman with an enigmatic smile? Answer: The Mona Lisa
In Edvard Munch’s “The Scream,” what natural disaster may have inspired the blood-red sky? Answer: The eruption of Krakatoa
Which Vincent van Gogh painting features a swirling night sky over a peaceful village? Answer: The Starry Night

What famous painting by Grant Wood shows a farmer holding a pitchfork standing beside a woman? Answer: American Gothic
Which Spanish artist painted “Guernica,” depicting the horrors of war? Answer: Pablo Picasso
What did Jacques-Louis David name his famous painting of Napoleon on horseback crossing the Alps? Answer: Napoleon Crossing the Alps

Which famous painting by Johannes Vermeer features a young woman wearing a pearl earring? Answer: Girl with a Pearl Earring
What famous painting shows a couple embracing on a yellow-and-gold patterned background? Answer: The Kiss by Gustav Klimt
In Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus,” what is Venus standing on? Answer: A giant scallop shell

Which painting by James Abbott McNeill Whistler is famously known as “Whistler’s Mother”? Answer: Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1
What’s the real title of the painting commonly known as “Whistler’s Mother”? Answer: Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1
Which painting by Edward Hopper depicts people sitting in a late-night diner? Answer: Nighthawks

What object is floating in front of the face of a man wearing a bowler hat in René Magritte’s famous painting? Answer: An apple
Which Leonardo da Vinci mural depicts Jesus and his disciples at their final meal together? Answer: The Last Supper
What painting by John Everett Millais shows a woman floating in water surrounded by flowers? Answer: Ophelia

Which artist cut off part of his ear and then painted a famous self-portrait with a bandaged ear? Answer: Vincent van Gogh
Which famous painting by Georges Seurat is composed entirely of tiny dots of paint? Answer: A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte
What does the farmer hold in Grant Wood’s “American Gothic”? Answer: A pitchfork

Which Dutch artist painted “The Night Watch”? Answer: Rembrandt van Rijn
Who painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel? Answer: Michelangelo
What animal appears in Leonardo da Vinci’s “Lady with an Ermine”? Answer: An ermine (a type of weasel)

Which artist’s painting “The Persistence of Memory” features melting clocks? Answer: Salvador Dalí
What fruit appears in Cézanne’s many still life paintings? Answer: Apples

Looking to stimulate more interesting conversations? Check out our collection of philosophical questions that will get everyone thinking deeply!

Renowned Artists

From masters of the Renaissance to modern visionaries, these questions celebrate the incredible individuals who changed the art world forever.

Which artist is known for cutting off part of his ear? Answer: Vincent van Gogh
Who painted the “Mona Lisa”? Answer: Leonardo da Vinci

Which Spanish artist is known for co-founding Cubism? Answer: Pablo Picasso
Who painted “The Starry Night”? Answer: Vincent van Gogh
Which Italian Renaissance artist sculpted “David”? Answer: Michelangelo

Who painted “The Persistence of Memory” with its famous melting clocks? Answer: Salvador Dalí
Which Dutch post-impressionist painter created “Sunflowers”? Answer: Vincent van Gogh
Who painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel? Answer: Michelangelo

Which American artist is known for his paintings of Campbell’s Soup cans? Answer: Andy Warhol
Who painted “The Birth of Venus”? Answer: Sandro Botticelli
Which Norwegian artist created “The Scream”? Answer: Edvard Munch

Which Dutch painter is famous for his self-portraits and paintings of peasant life? Answer: Rembrandt van Rijn
Who painted “Girl with a Pearl Earring”? Answer: Johannes Vermeer
Which Mexican artist is known for her self-portraits and works inspired by Mexican nature and culture? Answer: Frida Kahlo

Who created the sculpture “The Thinker”? Answer: Auguste Rodin
Which artist painted “Guernica,” depicting the tragedies of war? Answer: Pablo Picasso
Who is considered the leading figure of the Pop Art movement? Answer: Andy Warhol

Which French artist is known for his water lily paintings? Answer: Claude Monet
Who painted “The Last Supper”? Answer: Leonardo da Vinci
Which painter is known for cutting off his ear and was posthumously considered a key figure in the Post-Impressionist movement? Answer: Vincent van Gogh

Which American artist created the painting “Christina’s World”? Answer: Andrew Wyeth
Who created the ceiling fresco “The Creation of Adam”? Answer: Michelangelo
Which artist painted “The Son of Man,” featuring a man in a suit with an apple covering his face? Answer: René Magritte

Need more conversation ideas? Explore interesting topics to talk about for your next social gathering!

Art Movements and Periods

The story of art is told through its evolving movements. I find it fascinating how each period reflects the changing world around it—from politics to technology to human emotion.

Which art movement is characterized by dreamlike imagery and incongruous juxtapositions? Answer: Surrealism

During which period did artists like Monet and Renoir work, focusing on light and its changing qualities? Answer: Impressionism
Which art movement began in Italy in the 14th century and included artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo? Answer: Renaissance
What art movement emerged in the early 20th century featuring geometric forms and primary colors, with artists like Piet Mondrian? Answer: De Stijl (or Neoplasticism)

Which movement, named after a Monet painting, focused on capturing momentary effects of sunlight? Answer: Impressionism
Which art movement emphasized emotional intensity, spiritual feeling, and raw power over refined detail? Answer: Expressionism
What movement founded by André Breton was influenced by Freudian psychology and the subconscious? Answer: Surrealism

Which art movement originated in France and is characterized by vibrant colors and bold brushstrokes? Answer: Fauvism
What 20th century art movement featured fractured subjects depicted from multiple viewpoints simultaneously? Answer: Cubism
During which period did Caravaggio work, known for its dramatic use of light and shadow? Answer: Baroque

Which movement was characterized by ethereal subject matter, diaphanous light, and vibrating color? Answer: Impressionism
What was the name of the movement that rejected traditional aesthetics and embraced chaos and irrationality after World War I? Answer: Dada or Dadaism
Which art movement, started in the 1950s, emphasized spontaneous creation and emotional intensity? Answer: Abstract Expressionism

What movement was characterized by precise depictions of scenes from everyday life and flourished in the Netherlands during the 17th century? Answer: Dutch Golden Age (or Dutch Realism)
Which artistic movement focuses on the depiction of contemporary urban life in late 19th-century Paris? Answer: Impressionism
What art movement began in Russia and emphasized geometric forms, such as circles, squares, lines, and rectangles? Answer: Constructivism

Which movement rejected narrative and emphasized art’s physical qualities, exemplified by Jackson Pollock? Answer: Abstract Expressionism

Want to use these questions for a fun date night? Check out our first date questions for more ideas on how to connect with someone special!

Sculpture and 3D Art

There’s something magical about art you can walk around and experience from all angles. I’ve always been fascinated by how sculptors can breathe life into stone, metal, or clay.

Who sculpted the famous statue of David in Florence, Italy? Answer: Michelangelo
Which ancient Greek sculpture depicts the goddess of love and is now housed in the Louvre? Answer: Venus de Milo
Who created the bronze sculpture “The Thinker”? Answer: Auguste Rodin

Which famous monument in New York Harbor was a gift from France to the United States? Answer: The Statue of Liberty
Who carved Mount Rushmore? Answer: Gutzon Borglum
Which ancient civilization created the terracotta army buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang? Answer: Chinese (Qin Dynasty)

What material did Degas predominantly use for his ballet dancer sculptures? Answer: Bronze (originally wax)
Who created the marble sculpture “Pietà” showing Mary holding the dead body of Jesus? Answer: Michelangelo
Which contemporary artist created a stainless-steel balloon dog that sold for over $58 million? Answer: Jeff Koons

Which ancient Egyptian monument has the body of a lion and the head of a human? Answer: The Great Sphinx of Giza
Who created the iconic “LOVE” sculpture with stacked letters? Answer: Robert Indiana
What type of sculpture is made by carving into a wall or structure rather than creating a freestanding object? Answer: Relief sculpture

Who created the controversial “Piss Christ,” a photograph of a crucifix submerged in urine? Answer: Andres Serrano
Which sculptor created “Bird in Space,” an abstract bronze depicting the essence of flight? Answer: Constantin Brâncuși
What is the name of the ancient Greek sculpture depicting a discus thrower? Answer: Discobolus

Which American sculptor is known for her large-scale metal spider sculptures? Answer: Louise Bourgeois

If you’re looking to challenge your friends with more brain teasers, don’t miss our common sense trivia questions that will really get everyone thinking!

Art Museums and Galleries

I’ll never forget my first visit to a major art museum. There’s something almost magical about standing in front of artwork you’ve only seen in books or online. These questions explore some of the world’s greatest art institutions.

Which famous museum in Paris houses the Mona Lisa? Answer: The Louvre
In which city would you find the Uffizi Gallery? Answer: Florence, Italy
Which New York museum is known for its collection of modern and contemporary art? Answer: The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

Where would you find Michelangelo’s David sculpture? Answer: Galleria dell’Accademia, Florence
Which London museum houses the Rosetta Stone? Answer: The British Museum
In which Spanish city would you find the Picasso Museum? Answer: Barcelona

Which museum in Amsterdam houses the largest collection of Van Gogh paintings? Answer: Van Gogh Museum
What famous American art museum is located on Fifth Avenue in New York City? Answer: The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)
Which Spanish museum houses Picasso’s “Guernica”? Answer: Museo Reina Sofía, Madrid

What famous Washington D.C. gallery was established by Andrew W. Mellon? Answer: National Gallery of Art
Which museum in St. Petersburg, Russia was once the winter palace of the tsars? Answer: The Hermitage
In which city would you find the Tate Modern? Answer: London

Which Vatican museum houses Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling? Answer: Vatican Museums
What famous New York museum is housed in a distinctive spiral-shaped building? Answer: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Need some fun questions for couples? Explore our list of questions for couples that strengthen bonds and create memorable conversations!

Modern and Contemporary Art

Modern art can sometimes leave us scratching our heads or completely amazed—often both at the same time! I remember seeing a Banksy exhibit where people were debating whether it was “real art” or not, which is exactly what makes contemporary art so exciting.

Which artist created the iconic Campbell’s Soup Cans series? Answer: Andy Warhol
Who is known for creating giant balloon animal sculptures in stainless steel? Answer: Jeff Koons

Which British street artist is known for his stencil-based graffiti art? Answer: Banksy
Who created the painting “Marilyn Diptych” featuring repeated images of Marilyn Monroe? Answer: Andy Warhol
What object did Marcel Duchamp sign and display as art, challenging traditional definitions of art? Answer: A urinal (titled “Fountain”)

Which American artist is known for her large-scale installation art, including mirrored room installations? Answer: Yayoi Kusama
Who painted “No. 5, 1948,” one of the most expensive paintings ever sold? Answer: Jackson Pollock
Which artist became famous for paintings of Campbell’s soup cans and Marilyn Monroe? Answer: Andy Warhol

Who created the controversial artwork “The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living” featuring a tiger shark preserved in formaldehyde? Answer: Damien Hirst
Which Chinese artist and activist created an installation of millions of handcrafted porcelain sunflower seeds? Answer: Ai Weiwei
Who is known for slashing and puncturing his canvases to create a new dimension in his artworks? Answer: Lucio Fontana

Which American artist became known for her feminist work, including “The Dinner Party” installation? Answer: Judy Chicago
Which artist created the “LOVE” sculpture with the letters stacked in a square? Answer: Robert Indiana
Who created the “One and Three Chairs” conceptual piece showing a physical chair, a photograph of the chair, and a dictionary definition? Answer: Joseph Kosuth

Which American pop artist is known for his comic strip-inspired paintings using Ben-Day dots? Answer: Roy Lichtenstein

For those who enjoy mental challenges, check out our collection of confusing riddles with answers for more brain teasers!

Why Art Trivia is Perfect for Any Gathering

Art trivia isn’t just about testing knowledge—it’s a wonderful way to spark conversations and learn something new. I find that even people who don’t consider themselves “art people” end up enjoying these questions because they connect to history, culture, and sometimes even pop culture references they already know.

My sister is a high school art teacher, and she uses art trivia as an icebreaker during the first week of classes. She says it helps students realize that art is all around us, not just something confined to museums or textbooks. Plus, there’s something satisfying about knowing the answer to a tricky question about the Mona Lisa or recognizing a famous artist’s work!

Now, let’s dive into some fascinating art trivia questions that will test your knowledge and maybe teach you something new.

Final Thoughts

Wasn’t that fun? I hope these art trivia questions not only tested your knowledge but also sparked your interest in exploring more about the fascinating world of art. Whether you’re an art history buff or just someone who enjoys learning new things, there’s always something more to discover about the artists, movements, and masterpieces that have shaped our cultural landscape.

Next time you’re at a dinner party or family gathering, why not pull out some of these questions and see who knows their Monet from their Manet? Or better yet, use them as inspiration for your next museum visit—you might look at famous artworks with new appreciation!

Did you know all the answers? Which questions surprised you the most? I’d love to know which section you found most challenging or interesting!

Looking for more ways to engage in meaningful conversations? Explore our collection of deep topics to talk about that can transform any ordinary chat into something memorable!