In 1955, Hogai KANO's "Hibo Kannon, (Mother of All Creatures; Goddess of Mercy)" and "Fudo Myoo (Acala, God of Fire)," and Gaho HASHIMOTO's "White Clouds and Autumn Leaves" were the first designated modern masterpieces. Thereafter, both Japanese-style paintings and Western-style paintings from various painters have been designated as modern masterpieces.
近代の作品は1955年（昭和30年）に狩野芳崖の『悲母観音』と『不動明王』、橋本雅邦の『白雲紅樹』が指定されたのが最初で、以後、日本画・洋画ともに多くの作家の作品が指定されている。