Looking for something?

Tap outside or press close

InspirationArt & Culture

Pixelated, 8-bit artworks of classic paintings from the art world

New York artist Adam Lister makes pixelated, acrylic paintings based on iconic images from the art world. Inspired by cubism, minimalism and 8-bit video games, Lister loves to reduce famous paintings to geometric abstractions.

Written By:
Via Creative Boom submission. All images courtesy of the artist

Via Creative Boom submission. All images courtesy of the artist

“Having grown up playing Atari and Nintendo video games, this broken-down, angular method of processing and displaying information became an interesting guideline for me to translate and selectively restructure some of the most famous paintings in the world," Lister explained.

If you love this 8-bit style, you'll be happy to discover that his paintings are available as limited-edition prints. See more of Lister's work on his website where you'll no doubt enjoy discovering further artworks, some of which are inspired by iconic pop culture.

Pixelated acrylic painting with geometric blocks of blue, green and cream, featuring small yellow squares scattered throughout, inspired by classic art reduced to 8-bit video game style
Pixelated acrylic painting of a figure in a dark suit and red tie wearing a top hat and green face, created in 8-bit style with geometric blocks and muted colours
Pixelated portrait in shades of blue, cream and rust, composed of geometric rectangles forming a stylised face against a blue background
Pixelated acrylic painting with geometric blocks in greens, creams, browns and blues creating an abstract composition inspired by 8-bit video game aesthetics
Pixelated acrylic painting of a classical portrait reduced to 8-bit geometric blocks in cream, blue, brown and yellow tones against a dark grey background
Pixelated acrylic painting of Van Gogh's Bedroom in Arles, rendered in geometric blocks of blue, brown, ochre and red with simplified furniture and architectural elements
Pixelated acrylic painting of an interior space with geometric shapes in muted greens, browns, yellows and greys, inspired by 8-bit video game aesthetics
Pixelated acrylic painting of a reclining figure in muted tones of cream, blue and brown, rendered in geometric 8-bit style blocks
Share

Further Reading