11 Unattainably Handsome Men in World-Famous Paintings

Have you ever developed a crush on someone based solely on their photo? Well, portraits were the photographs of yesteryear and let me tell you, there are some seriously hot guys in some of them. Don’t worry, we’ve done the research for you, so just sit back, relax and enjoy these 11 unattainably gorgeous fellas from some of the art world’s finest paintings.

The Desperate Man by Gustave Courbet

This self-portrait by Courbet not only shows off some exquisite features but also a whole lot of emotion. Is there anything hotter than someone not afraid to show their passionate side publicly? As one of Courbet’s early works, the style of this piece is ultra-romantic. Those eyes are really speaking volumes!

Portrait of Dmitry Furmanov by Sergey Malyutin

This portrait of Russian officer and writer Dmitry Furmanov is everything. From the perfect texture of his hair to his glass-cutting cheekbones and, of course, the way he’s managing to smile with his eyes, we are in love.

Self-Portrait by Robert Colquhoun

This self-portrait by the Scottish artist is exceptionally easy on the eyes, is it not?

Dr Pozzi at Home by John Singer Sargent

Sargent’s evocative portrayal of the legendary Dr Pozzi flaunting his red robe has to be one of the most iconic male portraits of the 19th century. That hair is killer, and those are probably the nicest hands we’ve ever seen on a man.

Portrait of Armand Carrel by Ary Scheffer

Even if we completely ignore his undeniably handsome face and super-full head of hair, the waistline on this man is everything. Armand Carrel is definitely cut under that coat, and we are so into it.

Young Man With a Flower Behind His Ear by Paul Gauguin

We all know that real men wear pink and this beautiful creature painted by Gauguin is certainly no exception. Ahh, what we would give to be on the other side of that sultry gaze.

Self-Portrait by Orest Kiprensky

Another self-portrait, this painting of the artist Orest Kiprenksy is really all about the lips. Though let’s be real, the eyebrows and hands are pretty phenomenal also.

Portrait of Paul Victor Grandhomme by Raphaël Collin

If you’re into the broody ones, look no further than this luscious drawing of Paul Victor Grandhomme by Raphaël Collin.

Portrait of a Young Man With Spectacles by Josef Abel

For those who are into the nerdy look, you really can’t beat Franz Schubert in his glasses painted by Josef Abel. That dimple chin is a thing of beauty too and when you add to that that he’s a composer, this painting is basically the dream.

Napoleon Crossing the Alps by Jacques-Louis David

Though we all know Napoleon was not known for his great looks, he is absolutely fiery in this image by French painter Jacques-Louis David.

Portrait of Sir Walter Raleigh by Nicholas Hilliard

This delicious portrait of the British explorer and poet is definitely a contender for hottest man in a painting. Just look at those piercing eyes! We’d sail to the New World with him any day.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel – and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Bespoke Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Bespoke Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm – and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.