Art is important to both eyes and soul. It is something that makes us feel what the artist’s thinking and the message behind it. But you know what? Museums too are art in a way! It is a combination of the architect’s design, the workers’ years of hard work, and on top of it a place to display other artists’ masterpieces. Be it historic or modern, museums never get old.
Here’s our list of the top 10 most jaw-dropping museums in the world:
Guggenheim Bilbao, Bilbao, Spain
The number one museum to top our list is the world-famous Guggenheim Bilbao located in the Basque city of Bilbao. It was designed and inaugurated in 1997 by the Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. Since its establishment, Guggenheim has changed the way architects think about museums. This jaw-dropping building made of glass, titanium, and limestone is home to a great art collection of both international as well as Spanish artists. The Guggenheim Foundation has organized numerous exhibitions and houses permanent collections including Jeff Koon’s sculpture Puppy, and Fuyiko Nakaya.
Musée du Louvre, Paris, France
A medieval fortress and the French king’s palace two centuries ago, The Louvre, today is the most visited and the largest museum in the world. Spreading across 60,00 square meters, the astonishing museum is home to Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. The museum’s other main attractions include Venus de Milo and Winged Victory of Samothrace. Apart from this, the Louvre is also famous for its glass pyramid built which was first unveiled in 1989. From antiquity to the middle of the nineteenth century, the museum has some of the most historic and diverse collections of all time. When in Paris, It’s a must-visit!
Musée d’Orsay, Paris, France
Musée d’Orsay is one of the most admired museums globally. This incredible museum was actually a train station until 1939, operating as the terminus for southwestern railways of France. Later, during the second world war, it became an important mailing center and then in 1970, the French government even decided to convert it into a hotel. Today, Musee d’Orsay holds the biggest collection of French impressionist and post-impressionist art pieces in the world. Some of the art pieces include the Van Gogh’s Self-portrait (1889), Edouard Manet’s Olympia (1863), and Gustave Courbet’s A Burial at Ornans (1849).
State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Russia
Home to over three million art pieces, The State Hermitage Museum is the largest art museum in Russia. Located along the Neva River, it occupies six main buildings and is the world’s eighth most visited museum. It has a spectacular art collection in the whole of Eurasia including artworks of Goya, Van Gogh, Picasso, Rembrandt as well as Titian. Before a museum, it served as the main residence of the Czars. In 1764, Catherine the Great transformed the palace into the great museum it is today. Some of its main attractions are The Orient, The Black Sea Littoral, and Nicholas II’s masterpieces.
The Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar
The Museum of Islamic Art located in Doha was designed by I.M. Pei, a highly-reputed architect who was also involved in building the famous Louvre Pyramid. Influenced by the great Islamic Art and architecture including Cairo’s The Ibn Tulun Mosque, this building features a high-dome atrium along with a central tower. It is a geometrically shaped building that was constructed using an incredible cream-colored limestone. Today, The Museum of Islamic Art consists of a jaw-dropping Islamic Art collection.
The Natural History Museum, London, UK
Located on London’s Exhibition Road, The Natural History Museum was originally established in the year 1881. Today, it is visited by millions of people from around the globe. The building has a unique Romanesque style and was extensively built using terracotta tiles, making it one of its style. Initially designed by Captain Francis Fowke, The Natural History Museum now houses over 80 million life and earth specimens. It comprises five main collections related to flora and fauna. Some of its main attractions include the Atmospheric Earth Room, and Stone Monkeys visible all around the main block.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, USA
Home to some of the world’s top recycled artworks including Tim Noble and Sue Webster’s famous light and shadow sculptures, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum holds an extensive contemporary art collection in the world. Located in New York City, the museum opened in 1959 and is today known for its notable cylindrical gallery. Due to its distinctive spiral architecture, the building has become an NYC icon since its establishment. Frank Lloyd Wright, a celebrated architect took nearly sixteen years to create this building. Solomon R. Guggenheim features both early modern and contemporary art collection by Vasily Kandinsky, Franz Marc, Marc Chagall, and Paul Cézanne.
Monet’s House and Gardens, Giverny, France
Monet’s House and Gardens is known for its jaw-dropping natural surroundings. It is located in Giverny in France and is one of the smallest museums here on our list. The famous French painter Oscar Claude Monet was a founder of the French Impressionist painting, who himself took the initiative to plant gardens in his house. He originally wanted to transform it into a living painting. Monet’s House and Gardens today houses an astounding eighteenth and nineteenth-century Japanese collection of ukiyo-e prints.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
One of the most recognizable and praise-worthy landmarks of Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum is all about the Dutch Art and History. It was originally established in The Hague in 1800. Later in 1808, the museum was moved to the Royal Palace of Amsterdam and then again to Trippenhuis. Finally, in 1885 the Rijksmuseum was settled in Amsterdam. The current building was designed by Pierre Cuypers. Today, the museum’s art collection features near to a million pieces from around the world. From Rembrandt and Frans Hals to Johannes Vermeer, the museum holds some of the world’s most mysterious artworks. The main attraction of Rijksmuseum is the world-famous painting The Night Watch by Rembrandt.
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Madrid, Spain
Located in Spain’s capital Madrid, The Reina Sofia Museum was established in the year 1992. Originally it was an 18th-century hospital that was later remodeled into a treasure house of modern as well as contemporary art. The museum today comprises some of the most essential art pieces from both Spanish and international artists. Reina Sofia’s major attractions include El Guernica and Woman in Blue by Pablo Picasso, Dali’s Landscapes at Cadaqués, and sculpture by Henry Moore.
