Even though witnessing, perceiving, and interpreting art is subjective, certain renowned masterpieces increase the value of museums. Due to this, art museums around the world have gained a significant name, making them completely irresistible. In fact, certain museums rank higher than others just because of cultural popularity rather than the number of annual visitors.
Here is an interesting and intricately-curated list of the top 7 art museums for art fanatics.
1. Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
If you are a fan of Van Gogh’s art and paintings, this museum should definitely be on your list. It is located in Amsterdam and welcomes around 2 million visitors every year. Upon visiting, you get to see some of his most famous works, which are Self-Portrait, Sunflowers, and The Potato Eaters among 1300 other pieces. While this museum doesn’t make it to the top 10 in terms of the number of visitors, it ranks second in terms of global reputation ranking.
2. The Louvre Museum, Paris, France
This list cannot be complete without the mention of the Louvre Museum in central Paris. It was open for visitors in 1793 and still attracts millions of people all year round. It is primarily known for its unique collection of paintings, one of which is Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. The museum is so vast that it is impossible to cover it in a day. Art enthusiasts must take a day off just to visit and admire the masterpieces hung at the Louvre.
3. The Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy
Italy, particularly, Florence is well known for its significant history in art and architecture. The Uffizi Gallery attracts millions of visitors annually. This museum displays paintings and popular works of some of the most Famous Artists of all time, which include Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation, Caravaggio’s Medusa, Michelangelo’s Doni Tondo, and Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus. These artists are deemed to be legends, which makes the Uffizi Gallery extremely renowned. If you possess a liking for Renaissance paintings, this art gallery should definitely be on your list.
4. State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia
This museum is the second largest in the world and houses more than 3 million works of art. It is located in a complex comprising 6 buildings. Paintings of famous artists such as Picasso, Titian, Rubens, Leonardo da Vinci, Goya, and Cezanne can be found in this museum. Apart from the exquisite collection of paintings, the State Hermitage Museum is also known for its historical implication related to the Winter Palace, once occupied by Russian emperors.
5. The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY
If you possess a knack for modern art, visit this museum when you are in New York. With a range of over 200,000 modern paintings, you get to see some famous works such as Salvador Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory, Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night, Frida Kahlo’s Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair, Pablo Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, and Andy Warhol’s Gold Marilyn Monroe. Visiting this museum is a must for all art fanatics who are particularly interested in and want to be inspired by modern and contemporary art.
6. Museo Nacional Del Prado, Madrid, Spain
Formerly recognized as the Royal Museum of Paintings, the Prado museum (as called famously) is specifically known for its exquisite collection of paintings by famous Spanish artists, with Diego Velazquez’s work being the highlight. It opened in 1819 and has gained massive popularity ever since. If you plan to visit Madrid, do pay a visit to this museum. Some other famous paintings housed by this museum include Francisco Goya’s The Third of May 1808, Diego Velazquez’s Las Meninas, and Hieronymus Bosch’s triptych The Garden of Earthly Delights.
7. Vatican Museums, Vatican City, Italy
One of the highlights of the Vatican Museums is the ceiling painted by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel. More than 4 million visitors gather at this spot annually to witness this masterpiece. Other significant artworks housed at this museum include Caravaggio’s The Entombment of Christ, Raphael Sanzio’s Madonna of Foligno, and Leonardo da Vinci’s St Jerome in the Wilderness. Even though you get only a day to visit the museums, you can plan your visit wisely and cover the most significant parts of the museums. Do not miss the Pinacoteca, which has a range of paintings from the Medieval Age to the 19th century, all spread among 18 rooms.
While several other museums are renowned worldwide, these are a must-visit for every art enthusiast. Even if you are not into art, visiting these museums will definitely widen your perspective and teach you more about the world. Make sure to visit these at least once in life.