People Are Recreating Famous Artworks in Real Life for the ‘VanGoYourself’ Challenge

art recreations van go yourself

“The Reaper” by Kanuty Rusiecki. Recreated by Eglandas Višinskas

Ever wanted to star in a Leonardo da Vinci painting or transform yourself into a Van Gogh? The VanGoYourself platform is a space where you and your friends can recreate historic artworks and share them with the world. Originally created as part of Europeana—a digital platform to promote the European Union's cultural heritage—the website encourages us to get playful with art.

The project is managed by Culture24, “an independent arts charity in the UK with a sense of humor.” Via the VanGoYourself website, art lovers are encouraged to peruse more than 100 paintings from 34 venues in 15 countries. Each painting is labeled to help you make your selection. Do you want to go for something “easy to recreate” or prove your skills with an artwork that is a “challenge for a master?” You can also get friends in on the action—just search the catalog by the number of people needed. You can get even more specific by searching the mood of the artwork.

Submit your art recreation on the website and if it's good enough, you'll be included in their online gallery. It's clear that lots of people fancy themselves Van Gogh, but it's equally charming to see children and adults alike throw themselves into some of the more complex compositions. And the best part is that anyone can do it, no painting skills necessary. With just a bit of creativity and imagination, it's incredible to see just how much we can engage with history, and have fun in the process.

VanGoYourself encourages people to get engaged with historic masterpieces by submitting their own art recreations.

art recreations van go yourself

“Van Gogh 1887 Self-Portrait” by Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890). Recreated by Optivion

art recreations van go yourself

“Madonna and Child” by Ambrogio Borgognone (1465-1525). Recreated by Ruzistori

art recreations van go yourself

“The Bitter Potion” by Adriaen Brouwer (1605/06-1638). Recreated by Şahan Gürkan

art recreations van go yourself

“The Lute Player” by Frans Hals (1582-1666). Recreated by Nikolina

art recreations van go yourself

“Dance on the Jetty” by Hugo Simberg (1873 –1917). Recreated by Päivi

art recreations van go yourself

“The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519). Recreated by Mariella Brunazzi

art recreations van go yourself

“Self-portrait” by Napoleon Iłłakowicz. Recreated by Lenni

art recreations van go yourself

“The Gower Family: The Children of Granville, 2nd Earl Gower” by George Romney (1734-1802). Recreated by Maria

art recreations van go yourself

“Evening Lecture NVanderpeet” by Hendrik Jacobus Scholten (1824-1907). Recreated by samir mazumder

art recreations van go yourself

“The Emperor Augustus Rebuking Cornelius Cinna for His Treachery” by Étienne-Jean Delécluze (1781-1863). Recreated by Leoht

art recreations van go yourself

“The Visitation” by Jacopo da Pontormo (1494-1557). Recreated by Priscilla

VanGoYourself: Website | Facebook 
h/t: [this isn't happiness]

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Gustav Klimt’s Famous Paintings Get Recreated with Live Models

Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Staff Editor and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book "Street Art Stories Roma" and most recently contributed to "Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini." You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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