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Art museums are a treasure trove of creativity, culture, and history. They store within their walls a plethora of stories that hide behind the frames of every artwork. Some of these museums are larger than life and have been astonishing visitors for multiple centuries now.
Some of the better-known museums are home to masterpieces from different cultures, times, and artists. Their grandeur is something that every person must witness at least once in their lifetime. If you are still not convinced, here is a list of the top 4 such museums and why you should not miss out on them!
1. Musee du Louvre, Paris (France)
Arguably the most famous art museum in the world, it opened its doors to the public in 1793. Originally built as a fortress, it was once a royal residence during the 16th century before eventually becoming a museum. It has one of the richest collections of artworks including the most expensive painting in the world - the Mona Lisa. It is also one of the oldest and most highly visited museums in the world.
Spread over an area of 60,600 m2, the museum has over 500,000 items in its collection and has 35,000 of them on display. It has an unparalleled collection of French paintings, especially from the 15th - 19th Century. The Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David is the biggest French painting. It also has a collection of several Italian Renaissance artists and works of Dutch and Flemish paintings from the Baroque period. Apart from paintings, it is also home to treasures like jewelry, furniture, architecture, tapestries, mosaics, etc. from different eras and places in history.
2. Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Netherlands)
As you might have already guessed from the name, this museum is especially dedicated to Vincent Van Gogh. It was established as a tribute to one of the most legendary artists the world has ever known. As ironic as it may be, during his life, Van Gogh didn’t receive the appreciation he deserved and even considered himself a failure.
The museum houses the biggest collection of his paintings, including one of the original sunflower paintings, The Potato Eaters, The Bedroom, and several self–portraits. You can also find the letters he wrote to his brother Theo, throughout his life. They throw light on the ordeal and the inner turmoil the artist went through, including the reason why he shot himself. The artworks are arranged in chronological order to show the development of his art, life, and the decline of his mental state. The museum also occasionally brings on display the work of his contemporaries who were inspired by Van Gogh.
3. Vatican Museums, Vatican City (Italy)
If you wish to see the frescoes on the ceilings of the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums is your destination. The museums consist of over 54 galleries and have a cumulative collection of 70,000 artifacts on display. Some of the famous works to look for in these museums include the Sistine Chapel, the Borgia Apartments, Portraits of the Popes, Spiral Staircase, and the Vatican Historical Museum among others.
The museums were initially used as papal palaces before their doors opened to the public. The opulent collection of this art museum is worth $10 billion to $15 billion. As one of the largest collections to be found anywhere in the world, it has masterpieces from artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Vincent Van Gogh, Raphael, Pablo Picasso, Paul Gauguin, etc.
4. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City (USA)
Popularly known as MET, this is another addition to the league of the largest art museums in the world, With a collection of 2 million artworks spanning over 5000 years, their estimated value is $50 billion. The museum is mainly focused on historical and classical art but also has a curated collection of contemporary artworks from Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, Miro, Matisse, and others.
The museum was incorporated in 1870 with a vision to educate the American public on the nuances of art. It has now become one of the most popular museums in the USA and the world.
The Beauty of Art Museums
Art museums are a collection and representation of human creativity, history, culture, religion, and beliefs that have evolved over time. These museums and several others have made great efforts to preserve that culture and keep it intact for generations to come. A visit to any of these museums will fascinate you and let you experience creative horizons beyond what many of us could even dream of.
In the pursuit of creating a similar experience for the contemporary audience in this digital world, TERAVARNA has also taken several initiatives for its artists. One such example is the solo exhibitions that we host on our website. They are an opportunity for every artist to display and preserve their legacy, so that their artistic brilliance is never forgotten.
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