Why Were the Six Famous Paintings Unfinished?

Even the most glorified artists are human which means different events in their lives have left some historically significant paintings perpetually unfinished. Artists have abandoned works for political reasons, like radicalizing and joining the revolution, or for unavoidable reasons, like simply dying. Often, the unfinished works can make them even more interesting to future viewers since there is an air of mystery and intrigue surrounding why these artistic legends would leave such important works at an abrupt halt.

1. Madame Charles-Louis Trudaine, Painted by Jacques-Louis David

The worried expression and the messy hair on Madame Trudaine may parallel the frazzled state of mind that the artist Jacques-Louis David was experiencing when he walked away from this piece. The Trudaine’s were longstanding civil-servants of the current French government and resided in the famous Place des Vosges, where they often welcomed artists and thinkers alike. Halfway through this painting, in 1792, David officially joined the radicals against the standing King Louis XVI. He voted for his execution and ultimately created propaganda art for the revolutionaries and also organized propaganda festivals. This did not align with the Trudaine family’s political values as they chose to fade out of the public eye, leaving this commission forever unfinished.

2. The Entombment, Painted by Michelangelo

Sometimes, an artist as legendary as Michelangelo will walk away from a significant painting, leaving massive blank spots and even entire figures missing from the composition, when a more important opportunity arises. Though historians are not exactly sure why he was making this piece originally, it is possible that it was the product of a commission for a panel in the church of Sant’ Agostino in Rome. It is very likely that Michelangelo walked away from this work to focus on sculpture, the media that he considered his true calling. Soon after this piece was abandoned, Michelangelo began to work on a perfect piece of marble and revealed his masterpiece David within it.

3. George Washington, Painted by Gilbert Stuart

Gilbert Stuart started the painting in 1796 but never finished it. Instead he avoided finishing said painting so he could use it as a reference for future replicas and he sold the copies after Washington's death. This unfinished painting became the reference for the image of Washington found on the $1 bill and it is the most common likeness that is now attributed to the first President of The United States.

4. Madonna With The Long Neck, Painted by Parmigianino

This painting depicts the art historical motif, the Madonna and Child, in an impeccable example of the Mannerist style. Parmigianino beautifully captured the mannerist serpentinata figure with this Madonna’s swanlike elegance and grace, examplified through her elongated body and then also the dynamic, large child seemingly perched, and about to roll off of her lap. After a more recent restoration, an unfinished angel’s face became more visible under the Madonna’s right arm, which shows that one of the Mannerist period’s most realized works, is another example of a very famous work that is not perfectly finished.

5. Portrait of Gustave Geffroy, Painted by Paul Cezanne

Artists, often emotional, perfectionists, may abandon a work simply because they felt that the work was not going in the right direction. This was the case with Cezanne’s Portrait of Gustave Geffroy. Gustave Geffroy was an acclaimed art critic and, at the time, one of the only writers singing Cezanne’s praises. To show his gratitude, Cezanne decided to paint a protrait for Geffroy. But he gave up three months later explaining that he was unsatisfied with the painting's result. Still, to this day, the unfinished Portrait of Gustave Geffroy remains popular for it’s interesting use of perspective, specifically the imposing table, and its sense of motion throughout the work.

6. Beata Beatrix, Painted by Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Artists who spend the entirety of their lives painting may very well die while working on their last artwork. In one example, Beata Beatrix created by Dante Gabriel Rosetti. This work captured Beatrice Portinari, a character from Dante’s La Vita Nuova in her dying moments. He chose his wife as references for this subject. The combination of his interest in this story and his deep love for his wife imbued this work with a special kind of importance to Rossetti. He enjoyed revisiting this work so much that he made several other versions of this piece, up until the time of his death where he left one painting unfinished. This final painting was completed by his friend Ford Madox Brown.