Louvre, Paris
Today, the Louvre is the world’s largest museum with one of the richest and most diverse collections of art (and also the most visited). The Louvre, which arose during the reign of King Philip Augustus, was merged with the Tuileries Palace (then the residence of the French kings) under the leadership of Henry IV at the end of the 16th century. Initially, it served as a place for collecting art of the monarchs (during the reign of Louis XIV) and only after the French Revolution was it converted into a museum. Currently, more than 500 thousand works of art are stored here. Mandatory viewing: “La Gioconda” by Leonardo da Vinci, “Three Graces” by Lucas Cranach, “The Raft of the Medusa” by Theodore Géricault, “Great Odalisque” by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres and Venus de Milo.
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Located in the heart of New York , MET is one of the world’s largest art museums. It opened in 1872 and currently has more than two million works of art from around the world: from antique statues to paintings by French artists. Of course, a large collection of American art is also presented within its walls. Thematic exhibitions and events of the museum break records for visits with each new opening. It is here that the ball of the Costume Institute – Met Gala – takes place – the museum even dedicated one of its wings to the annual exhibition. At the permanent exhibition, be sure to take a look at Andrea Verrocchio’s Madonna, Vincent van Gogh’s The Arlesian and the Tiffany & Co.
Vatican Museums
This complex of museums is one of the most visited in the world. Every year, seven million tourists rush to discover the splendor of 12 museums, consisting of five galleries and 1,400 rooms, opened in 1771. Here is an extraordinary collection of works of art (mainly paintings and sculptures) collected over the centuries by the popes and the administration of the Vatican Museums. If you find yourself in the Vatican, be sure to visit the complex and take a look at the sculpture “Apollo Belvedere” by Leohar, the portrait of “Nicolo Marcello” by Titian and the “Crucifixion” by Paul Gauguin.
Louvre, Abu Dhabi
The modern Louvre Abu Dhabi, which opened in November 2017, was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel and the author of many stunning Parisian buildings. He conceived the project as a museum city covered with a gigantic silver dome. There are 23 galleries here, which exhibit both their own collection of art and objects borrowed from French museums. If you find yourself here, be sure to pay attention to the “Beautiful Ferroniera” by Leonardo da Vinci, “Gare Saint-Lazare” by Claude Monet, “Anthropometry” by Yves Klein, sculptures by Auguste Rodin and the work of the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.
Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art, Bilbao
Opened in 1997, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is a gem of modern architecture. The building was designed by Frank Gehry . The architect refused to build a museum in the city center, preferring the suburbs. The halls contain the real cream of modern art: from Richard Serra and Jenny Holzer to Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol . Also worth a look here are the works of Cy Twombly, Yves Klein, Jeff Koons and Louise Bourgeois.
Musee d’Orsay, Paris
The former old Parisian railway station is now a temple of painting in the style of impressionism , realism and pointillism. Built in 1900, they wanted to demolish the building in 1973 to build a luxury hotel in its place, but ultimately decided to turn it into a museum, which opened in 1986. Today, Western art is exhibited here from the second half of the 19th century to the end of the 20th century (a short period, but rich in masterpieces). Lovers of impressionism can spend hours on end in Orsay. We recommend that you definitely take a look at the paintings of Auguste Renoir, Gustave Courbet, Edouard Manet, Paul Cezanne and Vincent van Gogh.
Doge’s Palace, Venice
The splendor of Venice is the Doge’s Palace, or Ducal Palace, which used to be the residence of the Doge and the center of political power since the 9th century. Built in 1340, the building in the Gothic style is located on Piazza San Marco. In his collection – paintings by Titian and Veronese, as well as the painting “Paradise” by Tintoretto. And lovers of sculpture will find here two figures of Mars and Neptune by Sansovino, who proudly sit on the most honorable places of the Venetian palace. We also recommend visiting the old prisons, in particular the cells of Giacomo Casanova.
Museum of Modern Art, Niteroi
Opened in 1996, the museum is the pride of the people of Rio de Janeiro . This impressive futuristic building on Guanabara Bay was designed by the architect Oscar Niemeyer, who conceived the structure as a flower shimmering by the water. By the way, Nicolas Ghesquière presented the Louis Vuitton cruise collection show here on May 28, 2016. This museum houses 1200 works of Brazilian art of the 20th century, we recommend taking a look at the collection of Joao Sattamini.