The painting of murals is often thought to be a modern, urban phenomenon, but, in fact, it’s nothing of the sort. People have been painting murals for millennia and some ancient murals, preserved in tombs in Egypt and under piles of ash in Pompeii, are still visible today.
In 2009, people feel compelled to paint murals for much the same reasons as they did thousands of years ago: to make a political statement, promote a particular ideology, commemorate a historical figure or loved one, or simply get their artwork seen by hundreds, if not thousands, on a daily basis.
Below, you’ll find images of some of the most incredible murals the world has to offer. Most are hand painted, with ordinary or spray paint, while some have been printed onto plastic or paper and “stuck” onto the wall. While the painting of murals is often contentious (one man’s masterpiece is another’s act of vandalism), we’re sure people wouldn’t object to having most of these fantastic works of art on display in their towns and cities.
1. Lloydminster, Canada
Image: Lewis Lavoie
2. New York, USA
Image: Justseeds.org
3. Minneapolis, USA
Image: Jason Taellius
4. New York, USA
Image: Whiskeygonebad
5. London, UK
Image: Iridiscenti
6. New York, USA
Image: Caruba
7. Montreal, Canada
Image: Peru Dyer
8. Unknown
Image: Boohaven
9. London, UK
Image: The Greenwich Phantom
10. The Hague, Holland
Image: FaceMePLS
11. Memphis, USA
Image: Thomas R Machnitzki
12. Berlin, Germany
Image: The Scenic Sidewalk
13. Florida, USA
Image: Dunedin Daily Photo
14. Concepción, Chile
Image: Farisori
15. Toronto, Canada
Image: Bill Smith
16. Toronto, Canada
Image: Bill Wrigley
17. Detroit, USA
Image: ashleystreet
18. Berlin, Germany
Image: V1 Gallery
19. Paris, France
Image: Paul Festa
20. Ohio, USA
Image: Eric Grohe
21. Ohio, USA
Image: Eric Grohe
22. Honolulu, Hawaii
Image: John Pugh
23. California, USA
Image: John Pugh
24. Sarasota, Florida
Image: John Pugh
25. Toronto, Canada
Image: Bill Wrigley
26. Barcelona, Spain
Image: Guillem Cebollada / Jordi Casanovas
27. Barcelona, Spain
Image: Jordi Funollet
28. Atlantic City, USA
Image: iirraa
29. Berlin, Germany
Image: UrbanArtcore.eu
30. Quebec, Canada
Image: Dave Test
31. Pyongyang, North Korea
Image: Gilad Rom
32. Oslo, Norway
Image: Mahlum
33. Milan, Italy
Image: Torredibabele
34. Iowa, USA
Image: Ashton B Crew
35. Mexico City, Mexico
Image: Wolfgang Sauber
36. Mexico City, Mexico
Image: Wolfgang Sauber
37. Montreal, Canada
Image: SlamXHype
38. San Francisco, USA
Image: unknown
39. Oakland, USA
Image: Bay Hip Hop
40. Spain
Image: I Smell Paint
41. California, USA
Image: Recentering El Pueblo
42. Oakland, USA
Image: Destination Oakland
43. California, USA
Image: funkandjazz
44. California, USA
Image: View From a Loft
45. California, USA
Image: Viator
46. Indiana, USA
Image: Derek Jensen
47. Mexico City, Mexico
Image: Aceofhearts 1968
48. Swindon, UK
Image: Brian Robert Marshall
49. Iowa, USA
Image: Ashton B Crew
50. Oakland, USA
Image: Oakland Living
