November 9 – Go to an Art Museum Day

A visit to an art museum can be a enriching experience. For many people, it is a chance to see works of art that they would never have the opportunity to view otherwise. Art museums also provide an opportunity to learn about different cultures and historical periods. In addition, viewing art can help to improve one’s aesthetic sense and appreciation for beauty. Whether one is interested in paintings, sculptures, or architecture, an art museum is sure to have something of interest. Even for those who are not particularly interested in art, a visit to an art museum can be a enjoyable and enlightening experience.

HISTORY OF ART MUSEUMS

The concept of the art museum is a relatively new one. The first public art museum in the world was the Uffizi Gallery, which opened its doors in Florence, Italy in 1581. However, it was not until the 19th century that art museums began to proliferate across Europe and North America. This was due in part to the increasing popularity of art collecting, as well as to the industrial revolution, which made it easier to transport and display large artwork. Today, there are thousands of art museums around the world, each showcasing its own unique collection. Whether you’re interested in viewing ancient Egyptian artifacts or Impressionist paintings, there’s sure to be an art museum that has something to offer you.

FIVE AMAZING ART MUSEUMS

1. The Louvre in Paris, France: The most visited art museum in the world, the Louvre is home to some of the most famous paintings of all time, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. With over 35,000 works of art on display, the Louvre is one of the largest art museums in the world.

2. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, USA: One of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the world, the Metropolitan Museum of Art houses over two million works of art from every culture and period. Highlights of the collection include Egyptian antiquities, Greek and Roman sculptures, and European masterpieces from the Renaissance to the present day.

3. The British Museum in London, England: One of the oldest museums in the world, the British Museum was founded in 1753 to house the personal collection of Sir Hans Sloane. Today, it is home to over eight million objects from all over the globe, making it one of the largest collections in existence. Highlights include the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, and sculptures from classical Greece and Rome.

4. The Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, Russia: One of the largest art museums in the world, the Hermitage is housed in a complex of six historic buildings, including the Winter Palace, former residence of Russian tsars. With over three million works of art on display, including paintings by Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt van Rijn, the Hermitage boasts one of the finest collections in existence.

5. The National Gallery in Washington D.C., USA: One of America’s premier art museums, the National Gallery houses a collection of over 130,000 works of art from aroundthe world. Highlights include paintings by Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso, as well as a comprehensive collection of American artwork from colonial times to present day.

HOW TO CELEBRATE GO TO AN ART MUSEUM DAY