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Van Gogh (1853–90) painted this exquisite work in the last year of his life in a mental asylum. The intense color and energetic composition borrow from Gauguin and Japanese printmaker Hokusai.

Often called the “Father of Modern Art,” Cézanne’s (1839–1906) emotionally charged painting of a melancholy young woman shows off his great versatility and technical prowess.

This is one of 30 works which Claude Monet (1840–1926) painted between 1890 and 1891. Set against a soft sky and faintly visible houses, the wheatstacks are a solid, imposing presence.

This Roman copy of a Greek original dates from about AD 125 and was excavated from the villa of Emperor Hadrian. It depicts the Greek hero Herakles with his club, carrying the skin of the lion he has killed in his right hand.

Rembrandt (1606–69) found great inspiration in Ovid’s Metamorphoses . This work captures a dramatic moment: Jupiter, disguised as a white bull, spirits away the princess Europa across the oceans.

Mythology was a favorite subject of Titian (c.1485– 1576). This painting shows a beseeching Venus trying to prevent Adonis from leaving for the hunt that leads to his death.

Belgian James Ensor’s (1860–1949) painting is one of the most controversial works of the 19th century. The grotesque scene reflects the artist’s uneasiness with contemporary society.

An homage to his favorite artists such as Watteau and Courbet, this early Impressionist painting by Renoir (1841–1919) shows a young couple coyly heading for the woods.

This cabinet celebrates the triumphs of the French king, Louis XIV. Attributed to André-Charles Boulle (1642– 1732), pewter and tortoiseshell are some of the materials used.

In this Renaissance masterpiece, Andrea Mantegna (c.1431–1506) emulates the compact composition of ancient Roman reliefs to achieve a sense of intimacy between subjects. The three kings represent Europe, Asia, and Africa.