I think that this thread is good witness to the fact that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Everyone has personal tastes. Contrary old phart that I am, I very often do not fall to pieces over works of art that everyone else sees as stunning.
For my part, I really can't point to a favorite. I like many different things when I see them, but I do have to say that I appreciate things that look as real as possible.
I can't point to a single artist all of whose work I think is great, but I do like much of Winslow Homer's paintings.
I agree that tastes run the gamut. I lean toward realistic "snapshots" of everyday life, as opposed to grand landscapes with sunsets.
