Posted by Adam Taplin on November 03, 2009 at 11:59:18 AM EST | Post a Comment
If you've never been to these museums, you're missing out. From ancient books in Ireland to modern architecture in Spain, here are Europe's essential museums.
What did we miss? Let us know your favorite European museums in the comments.
LOUVRE
France's Grande Dame (Paris)
France's grandest museum was a royal palace until the French Revolution, when it was transformed into the home for the young Republic's art collection. The Big Three—Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and Venus de Milo—should not be missed.
Current Exhibit: "Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese... Venetian Rivalry." An exploration of the artistic rivalry that pushed three painters to influence and inspire one another. Through January 4th, details at the exhibit's mini-site.
MUSEUM ISLAND
Something for Everyone (Berlin)
Germany's capital has over 150 museums, but this spot should be your first stop. It holds five state museums with world-class collections ranging from classical antiquities to 20th century paintings and sculpture.
Current Exhibit: "Paul Pfeiffer 'The Saints.'" Witness Paul Pfeiffer's recreation of the legendary 1966 World Cup final between West Germany and England in a huge (and hugely powerful) installation of sound and video. Through March, details on the Staatliche Museen website.
BRITISH MUSEUM
An Archaeologist's Treasure Trove (London)
The self-appointed protector of treasures from around the globe, this vast museum is packed to bursting with antiquities and alluring objects. Among the greatest hits are the Parthenon Marbles, the Rosetta Stone, and Egyptian mummies.
Current Exhibit: "Moctezuma." An exploration of ancient Aztec civilization and Moctezuma II, the Mexica's last elected leader. Through January, details on the British Museum's website.
BOOK OF KELLS
Home of Ireland's National Treasure (Dublin)
Often called "the most beautiful book in the world," this manuscript dating to the 8th or 9th century is a marvel of intricacy and creativity, executed by monks working with reed pens. You can visit it at Trinity College in Dublin.
Current Exhibit: "Turning Darkness Into Light." This exhibit provides extra historical perspective prior to viewing the book itself, and other important books—including the Book of Armagh, the Book of Durrow, the Book of Mulling and the Book of Dimma—are displayed on a rotating basis. Details on Trinity College's website.
VATICAN MUSEUMS
Europe's Classic Chapel (Rome)
The lines waiting for entry here can be intimidating, but the reward—a vast collection of masterpieces, highlighted by the Sistine Chapel—makes it well worth the wait.
Current Exhibit: "Astrum 2009." Well. You'll probably make a beeline for the Sistine Chapel, but if not, check out this collection of rare instruments for observing the sky. Details on the Vatican Museum website.
GALLERIA DEGLI UFFIZI
Renaissance Art Hall of Fame (Florence)
The Uffizi—Renaissance art's hall of fame—contains masterpieces by Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli, Caravaggio, and dozens of other luminaries.
Current Exhibit: "Splendour and Reason: Art in Eighteenth-Century Florence." A history of art in Florence after the Medicis left the scene. Details on the Uffizi website.
RIJKSMUSEUM
Home of the Dutch Masters (Amsterdam)
This is the place to go when you're looking for Dutch masters, including Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals, and a slew of others.
Current Exhibit: "The Masterpieces." According to their site, the Rijksmuseum is displaying the "crème de la crème of their permanent collection" while a renovation is under way. Through November Details on the Rijksmuseum website.
MUSEU CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN
Quality Not Quantity (Lisbon)
The collection here—one part devoted to Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Islamic, and Asian art, the other to European— isn't large, but the quality is high. Add a stroll through the sculpture garden, and you have a great museum experience.
Current Exhibit: "Art Deco, 1925." A curated selection of the very best works that appeared in an age-defining exhibition, the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in 1925. Through January, details on the Calouste Gulbenkian website.
THE NATIONALMUSEET
All About Vikings (Copenhagen)
Immerse yourself in the Viking exhibits here; one shows how the Vikings could navigate their ships across vast oceans at a time when most people believed the world was flat.
Current Exhibit: "Indians of the Rainforest." The museum has an ethnographic wing, and the current special exhibit follows the Hiwi, Hoti, and Panare Indians through their life on southern Venezuela's Orinico River. Details on the Nationalmuseet website.
GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM
Architectural Innovation (Bilbao)
All swooping curves and rippling forms, this architecturally innovative museum was built on the site of the city's former shipyards and inspired by the shape of a ship's hull. The collection is pretty good as well, including such masters as Picasso and Miró.
Current Exhibit: "Frank Lloyd Wright." A retrospective of the world's most famous modern architect. Through February, details on theGuggenheim website.
MUSEO DEL PRADO
Spanish Masterpieces (Madrid)
Set in a magnificent neoclassical building on one of the capital's most elegant boulevards, the Prado is Spain's answer to the Louvre and a regal home to renowned Spanish masterpieces. Much of the collection dates back to the museum's inauguration in 1819.
Current Exhibit: "Juan Bautista Maíno." Includes 35 works by the artist and a further 31 by the painters who most influenced his artistic development, among them Velázquez and Caravaggio. Through January 17th, details on the Museo del Prado website.
What did we miss? Let us know your favorite European museums in the comments.
- The Louvre, Paris The world famous home of the Mona Lisa is an artwork in itself and the beautiful architecture along with the world famous pieces which reside here, make the Louvre a sight not to be missed when you’re in Paris. The gallery is currently hosting the Art of Paper exhibition, which displays pieces created using paper between the 15th Century and the modern day. The exhibition will include 60 pieces from Botticelli to Braque and Picasso to Rubens, demonstrating the importance of paper within art, be it sketches or techniques.
- The Tate Britain and the Tate Modern, LondonFor a first visit to London the Tate Britain is a must - housing British art from 1500 to the present day and giving the visitor a comprehensive view of the country’s culture within the art world. The Tate’s younger sibling - the Tate Modern, hosts a collection of international art from 1900 to the modern day with an eclectic mix of exhibitions, and contemporary art forms. The art in this old power station often comes with an experimental twist and the Tate Modern is home to the likes of Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin and Jeff Koons, so expect paintings, sculptures, and installations like you have never seen before.
- The National Gallery, Prague Prague’s National Gallery exhibits a mix of Czech artwork, Baroque pieces and Cubism. The gallery will be exhibiting items from local 19th Century Czech painter Jan Preisler – including his Fairy Tale collection, until September 30, 2011. This is a unique opportunity to see first-hand, one on Prague’s most famous artists in the surroundings that inspired him.
- The Groeninge Museum, BrugesFor an art lover in Bruges the Groeninge Museum is the perfect place to experience the mesmerising collection of work from Belgium and the Netherlands, dating from the 18th Century. The museum displays an eclectic mix of historic paintings with post-1945 pieces too. A visit to the gallery will give you a valuable insight into the artistic culture of the city.
- The Van Gogh Museum, AmsterdamAmsterdam presents one of their most famous national treasures - Van Gogh, in a museum dedicated to his life and work. This is complimented by other 19th Century artists and contemporaries of Van Gogh. This museum holds an extensive selection of Van Gogh’s work at various stages across his career.
- The National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art (GNAM), RomeRome’s National Gallery was founded in 1883 and yet prides itself on maintaining a contemporary standing. The gallery houses some of the 20th Century’s greatest artists including Dutch painter Mondrian, along with many of Italy’s finest.
- East Side Gallery, Berlin WallIn 1990, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, 118 artists gathered from across the globe to transform the remaining section into an open-air gallery with over 100 paintings. The East Side Gallery allows you to take in the historic importance of the location as well as viewing the wonderful artwork commemorating the location. After being neglected in the 1990s, restoration and refurbishment has just been completed, making it better than ever.
- Musée D'Orsay, Paris The stunning Musée D’Orsay is a beautiful landmark in itself, made even more beautiful by the world famous paintings and sculptures it is home to. Cézanne, Monet and Renoir are all permanently on display here. Entry is €8
- Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), BarcelonaThis is one of many breathtaking buildings Barcelona and it’s here where you can explore Catalan history through paintings, sculptures and photographs – to get a unique insight into this historic culture. Specialising in Catalan Art with particular reference to the Gothic and Romanesque genres, the collection and the surroundings make for a breathtaking experience.
- Scottish National Galleries, EdinburghEdinburgh has a collection of three National Galleries, the Portrait Gallery, the Modern Gallery and the National Gallery. Each specialise in their particular genre and between these institutes they house the best Scottish artworks anywhere in the world. If you love paintings, prints, photographs and sculptures,3 you’ll love the Scottish National Galleries.
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Top Ten Art Galleries in Europe
When travelling across Europe there are so many sights to see so just to make sure you don’t forget any of the best galleries and paintings on your trip, here are our top ten recommendations.
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