We’ve all seen some notorious masterpieces like Leonardo’s Mona Lisa or Van Gogh’s sunflowers, but the feeling of looking at the real artworks in a museum cannot be compared to looking at photos in albums or over the Internet.
There is a feeling of awe when you stand in front of an original artwork and notice all the detail from the artist’s brushstrokes.
If you live with an appreciation of art, you should definitely take some time to visit the most famous art museums and galleries around the world and see what the masters have been up to.
What Destinations to Visit if you are an Art Admirer
There are cities that hold concentrated amounts of artwork and masterpieces through the ages, which are a dream for every art lover.
If you want to see original work by some of your favorite artists, you need to be informed about where the most famous originals are exhibited.
Some destinations have a lot more to do with art history than others, so if you want to make a bucket list of art destinations to visit, then below are some of the most notorious ones.
Florence, Italy
Florence is the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, and it’s also the region in which Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael studied and worked.
The city has influenced art and culture for ages and when you’re there you can see layers and layers of art history from different periods.
Visit the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery to see live some of the most famous masterpieces by Michelangelo, Giotto, Da Vinci, Botticelli, and numerous other Italian masters who have shaped the history of art.
Hague, The Netherlands
In Hague, you can explore original works by representatives of the Dutch Renaissance like Vermeer and Rembrandt, but the city is also home to various contemporary art museums which are truly inspiring.
As Van Gogh lived in the Hague for a certain period of time, the Van Gogh Museum is located there and you can see an impressive collection of his artwork and marvel at the lively vibrance of his colors.
The museum also has various other artists from the post-impressionist movement, including Paul Gauguin, Emile Bernard, and the notorious Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.
Paris, France
Paris is the home of the Louvre Museum, where the popular Mona Lisa is exhibited. Besides that famous artwork, the museum holds a remarkable collection of art throughout the ages, an extraordinary sculpture garden, and some of the most monumental paintings by grand artists.
If you favor modern art, Paris has a lot to offer too. There is the National Museum of Modern Art, but there is also the Cosmic Gallery that exhibits work from both well-established and emerging artists.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is the city where Picasso arrived to live in when he was 14 and the Picasso Museum is located there, extending over 5 palaces. There you can see and marvel at his complete oeuvre, including artworks from all his artistic periods.
Only be prepared that one of his most famous pieces, The Guernica, is not in Barcelona but in Reina Sofia Gallery in Madrid.
While in Barcelona, you can also easily travel to the Dali Museum, which is not a regular building, but rather a surrealistic masterpiece itself and it will undoubtedly remain in your memory.
Vienna, Austria
The capital of Austria has been a destination for art lovers throughout the ages and it currently has more than 100 museums. Vienna is also notorious for its musical heritage and the State Opera House.
In its art museums, you can see original works by Gustav Klimt, Monet, Picasso, and Andy Warhol. Of course, the galleries offer various art styles from art history throughout the ages.
Each of the art museums has an impressive interior that makes the experience even more breathtaking.
Havana, Cuba
Cuba’s capital city Havana is an artwork itself. It welcomes you with unique colorful architecture and its streets are so picturesque, that you will feel like you are living in an artwork yourself.
In Havana, you will have the opportunity to meet numerous local artists in their studios and explore a mixture of different art styles and experiments in different media.
Art is embedded in Cuba’s culture, so if you ever get the chance to go there, don’t miss it.
New York, USA
New York is a city with an art scene quite varied that has to offer something no matter what your preferred art styles are. There you can visit the Metropolitan Art Museum, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), but you can also marvel at some astonishing street art.
It is the Museum of Modern Art where you can see the original of Van Gogh’s notorious Starry Night.
If you’ve wished to see Banksy’s notorious works live, then New York is the right destination for you.