The art lover's haven - museums display history, culture, and creations. Whether a traditional, classical-viewer or a modern, new-expression admirer, these five museums in the world have something amazing to offer any art buff. Each museum stands out as very important to the great tradition of change in art through time and over cultures.
The Louvre is an art institution as well as a culture icon in itself. Housing more than 35,000 works of art, it counts some of the greatest from history: nothing but the world-famous Mona Lisa, the enigmatic smile of Venus de Milo. From Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa to the ancient Greek statue Venus de Milo, it holds a collection which speaks of millennia, from ancient times all the way to masterpieces in renaissance art and modern times. The museum itself is a historical artifact; it was once a royal palace, so it forms an indelible destination for whosoever is interested in the illuminating impact of art through human history.
It is one of the world's greatest collections of art: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or The Met. With more than 5,000 years of history behind it, the museum includes such gems as the Temple of Dendur, ancient Egyptian, an array of paintings by Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Monet; and its Costume Institute, famous around the world for the multifaceted exhibitions of fashion as art. From ancient to modern, from post-ancient to contemporary, the Met is a place that will immerse you in every kind of art made under the sun.
Amongst the houses of the Vatican Museums stands one of the world's most impressive collections of religious and Renaissance art. The most spectacular frescoes, including The Creation of Adam, in Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel are great points to visit; more so, his frescoes in Raphael Rooms are not left out in this category. Centuries of religious artifacts are also stored here, making it a museum that is not to be missed, for anyone with an interest in both art and history.
As considered the heart of Florence, Uffizi Gallery has been a treasure trove of Italian Renaissance arts. Art lovers always throng to see the Botticelli work, The Birth of Venus and Primavera. The masterpieces on show over there are there to be used as the showcase of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Caravaggio, thus making this place the holy ground of the golden age of art that was during the Renaissance movement. This is the city of origin to the Renaissance; no visit to Florence would be complete without understanding the history of the Western art world at the Uffizi Gallery.
The Crown Jewel of European art, is Spain's Prado Museum located in Madrid. More than any other art collection, the Prado is especially known for its holdings of Spanish works. One of the most famous paintings ever is Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez. Other significant highlights at the Prado include dramatic The Third of May 1808 by Francisco Goya and haunting Black Paintings. By focusing on Spanish artists as well as rich collections of European art from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, the Prado offers profound explorations of artistic and historical expression.
Conclusion
These five museums are not viewing places for artworks, but truly an experience which transports you in the ever-evolving journey through human creations. From the majestic treasures of Louvre to the very particular brilliance of Uffizi Renaissance art, each of these museums opens its own window upon excellence of artistry. A visit to any of these institutions will live in your mind forever as it deeply matures your appreciation for the power and diversity of art.
