The Louvre , Paris

The Louvre in Paris is one of the world's most instantly identifiable art museums. There is hardly anyone in the art world who would dispute it's position as the world's premier repository of fine art. The museum began it's life as a private collection, viewed only by premiers, select aristocrats and heads of state. The French revolution saw the collection at the Louvre being opened up to the public. Luis XVI finally implemented the idea of a public museum funded and managed by the state. Today, the museum is home to many of the world's greatest art treasures, including ' The Venus De Milo' and the ' Mona Lisa'. The Louvre undertook major restoration work in 1981, including the building of a new display wing and plans to undertake further restoration efforts in the future.


The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York


The Metropolitan Museum of Art , or the 'Met' as it is popularly known, is the United States' premier art museum. The collection was begun in 1870 and now encompasses over 2 million art pieces. The museum hosts many different types of art from diverse periods in human history. The Met  has one of the largest collections of ancient art, encompassing over 3,500 major pieces from different geographical locations. It has a huge collection of Modern artists, including thirty seven paintings by Monet, and twenty-one of Cezanne's works. It is also home to one of Édouard Manet's most famous works, ' Boating'. The museum is extremely accessible to the public and offers tours for everyone, from those just cultivating their interest to those who are connoisseurs of the field.


The British National Gallery, London

the British National Gallery is the United Kingdom's premier art institution. It is a nationally funded organization engaged in the proliferation of interest in fine arts throughout the United Kingdom. The Gallery has over 2,300 pictures, a collection which is increasing steadily. One of the most unique features about the gallery is it's touring exhibition -- the gallery's best works are taken out of the display window and are transported to different parts of the U.K. in an effort to cultivate a broader interest of art. 

The Fine Art Museum of San Francisco


The Fine Art Museum of San Francisco has one of the United States' richest art collections. It is a unique museum in that it is funded by both private and public donors. It comprises of two main parts -- The Legion of Honor and the deYoung Museum. The Legion of Honor is a publicly funded facility housing over 4000 works of ancient and modern European art. The deYoung Museum has one of the largest collections of American art in the world. It also specializes in African and oceanic art. 

The Whitney, New York

The Whitney Museum of Modern Art is widely acknowledged as possessor of one of the world's finest permanent collections. Its collection includes some of the biggest names in modern art, including such names as Edward Hopper and Alexander Calder. The Whitney is unique in the fact that it is also a showcase for some of the world's finest architecture. It, along with the New York Guggenheim, may be counted as two of the world most visually pleasing art museums. The Whitney has also undertaken an extensive remodeling project in an attempt to upgrade its 1931 architecture and make it more accessible to the public. 


The Dahesh, New York

The Dahesh museum of art is unique in its very specialized collection. The collection encompasses European works from the 19th and 20th centuries. The Dahesh is an excellent timeline and catalogue of this important period in world history, accurately documenting the transition of art from baroque, the renaissance, Rococo to impressionism. It is a leader in art restoration and in the rediscovery of lost or neglected pieces from the period. It is a fairly new museum, opened to the public in January of 1995, but has already made a name for itself in the art world with its exemplary dedication to its cause. 


The Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University. 

The Micheal C. Carlos Museum is housed under the umbrella of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. It has one of the most diverse collections of any museum in the world. The collection, housed in the Michael Graves designed building is comprised of everything from Egyptian Art to Sub-Saharan Art to European Classical Art. It has quickly earned a reputation for having one of the finest, and fastest expanding art collections anywhere. It is especially known for its ancient Roman and Hellenistic pieces. Some of its most famous artists are Paul Klee and Aaron Siskind.

The Guggenheim, New York. 

The Guggenheim foundation has provided exemplary patronage towards the field of art. In its auspices, art and artist have enjoyed more visibility, more funding and greater worldwide interest. Among the Guggenheim foundation's many museums, the Guggenheim in New York holds a special place in the art world. Established some sixty odd years ago by Solomon Guggenheim, the museum is housed in what is by far the most striking building in the New York skyline. This Frank Lloyd Wright structure is unspeakably awe-inspiring. The museum's collection is equally fantastic. The previously private collection houses such big names as Edgar Degas, Van Gogh, and Pablo Picasso. 
It is a must visit for any art enthusiast.


The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

The Rijksmuseum is home to one of Europe's finest collections. It is a fantastic catalogue of world art, specializing in Dutch art from every period. Some of its masterpieces are painted by artists such as Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh. Out of its twenty works by Rembrandt, the most famous would definitely be 'The Nightwatch'. The museum is a pleasure to visit and is extremely accessible. It is home to many touring exhibitions and is the definite hub of art activity in the northern parts of Europe. The Rijks is a must visit for any aficionado of European Art.