The enormous number of the figures in the Parthenon, probably exceeding 500, of which 50 were colossal, and the size and complexity of the Athene, which was of gold, ivory, wood, and precious stones, standing 40 feet in height, make it impossible that these vast works could have been executed by the hand of a single artist. But Phidias is universally spoken of as the designer and presiding genius of the entire decoration; and, although some of the metopes are probably of an earlier school, the colossal groups of the pediments and the whole of the frieze have the stamp of one master mind.

While studying at the Academy of Ancient Art in the Medici Palace, Michelangelo not only developed his genius as a sculptor, but also excited the wrath of his rival, Torregiano, who struck him with a mallet, crushing the nose on his face and disfiguring him for life.

Le Bateau ("The Boat"), a paper-cut by Henri Matisse, caused a minor stir in 1961 when the Museum of Modern Art in New York hung the work upside-down. It remained that way until the 47th day of the exhibit when Genevieve Habert, a stockbroker, noticed the mistake and notified a guard.

Whistler's most famous painting is Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1 (1871), commonly known as Whistler's Mother. Anna McNeill Whistler posed for the painting while living in London with her son.

Yoko Ono helped to define the Fluxus movement which emerged in New York in the 60's. Part Dada, part Bauhaus and part Zen, the new aesthetic presumed that all media and all artistic disciplines were fair game for combination and fusion. Fluxus objects and performances are characterized by minimalist but often expansive gestures which often contain heavy doses of burlesque.

English artist Andy Brown created a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II out of 1000 used and unused tea bags!

Although he created more than 900 paintings, Van Gogh sold only one during his lifetime, "Red Vineyard at Arles" which was purchased by the sister of one of his friends.

In 1652, while installing a doorway in the wall that holds The Last Supper, builders cut into the bottom-center of the mural, lopping off Jesus' feet. While it may seem like a minor loss, many historians believe (based on examination of early copies) that Jesus' feet were in a position symbolizing the forthcoming crucifixion.

In a November 2013 sale at Christie's New York, Jeff Koons sold Balloon Dog (Orange) (a mirror-polished stainless steel sculpture) for $58.4 million, breaking the world record for the highest price ever paid for an artwork by a living artist.

Campbell's Soup Cans is a work of art consisting of thirty-two canvases, each painted with a Campbell's Soup can--one of each variety offered by the company at the time.