Famous Mysterious Paintings Across the World (Strangest and Unsolved Artworks)

Art has always been a powerful medium for expression, but some paintings carry more than beauty — they carry questions, secrets, and haunting mysteries. From hidden messages to unsettling imagery and unsolved interpretations, certain artworks continue to baffle art lovers and historians alike. Here are four famous mysterious paintings that continue to intrigue the world to this day, as shared by eminent Indian contemporary artist and painter Shantala Palat in this blog. Let us take a look at some of the most mysterious paintings:

What are some of the mysterious paintings across the world?

The Beheading of St. John the Baptist – Caravaggio

Caravaggio’s The Beheading of St. John the Baptist is not only one of the artist’s largest works but also one of his most mysterious. Unlike other paintings of this biblical scene, Caravaggio portrayed the moment with grim realism, using shocking lighting and an almost photographic composition.

What makes this artwork strange is the subtle inclusion of the artist’s own signature, written in the blood coming from John’s neck. This macabre touch has sparked decades of debate. Was it a sign of guilt, repentance, or identification with the martyr? Caravaggio’s troubled life and violent history only deepen the enigma.

The Old Guitarist – Pablo Picasso

Painted during Picasso’s Blue Period, The Old Guitarist is an emotionally heavy piece that depicts an elderly, blind man hunched over his guitar. While it’s not explicitly mysterious in imagery, X-ray analysis of the canvas revealed hidden paintings beneath the surface — ghostly figures and faces that Picasso painted over.

This raises questions about who these people were and why he chose to bury them under a new scene. Was it a metaphor for forgotten lives or suppressed emotions? The layers beneath remain open to interpretation and continue to deepen the intrigue behind the painting.

The Last Supper – Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper may be one of the most studied paintings in the world, yet it remains full of unsolved mysteries. From the strange placement of hands and expressions to hidden symmetries and possible musical notations embedded in the artwork, theorists continue to search for secret messages. Some claim the figure to the right of Jesus isn’t John the Apostle but Mary Magdalene, fueling speculation about lost gospels and hidden truths of Christianity. Though many of these theories remain controversial or unsupported, the lack of definitive answers makes this painting a timeless source of fascination.

From dual-faced figures to buried imagery and hidden codes, these paintings prove that mystery isn’t limited to fiction — it’s alive and well on the canvas. Whether intentional or not, the unanswered questions they raise continue to spark curiosity, centuries after they were created.

The Old Fisherman – Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka

At first glance, The Old Fisherman by Hungarian artist Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka appears to be a simple portrait of an elderly man sitting calmly by a lake. But when viewed more closely — especially in a mirror — the painting reveals something deeply unsettling. The old man’s face seems split into two expressions: one side calm and serene, the other dark and almost demonic. Some believe this duality represents the eternal struggle between good and evil within the human soul. The artist never explained the hidden meaning, adding to the eerie mystery that surrounds this haunting work.