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Out of the top 10 art museums in the USA, which are your favorite?
10. Philadelphia Museum of Art (Philadelphia, PA)
Made famous when Rocky Balboa jogged up the front steps, this impressive collection includes J.M.W. Turner’s “The Burning of the House of Lords and Commons” and Sir George Romney’s “The Shepherd Girl”. It also boasts an impressive armory and Japanese garden, and the ancient Greek style architecture of the building makes it an attraction in itself.
9. Carnegie Museum of Art (Oakland, PA)
If you take one of the many morning art classes offered here, you’ll be in good company: Oakland native Andy Warhol took them as well, long before all that soup can stuff (those paintings would later famously be exhibited here). Recently, a traveling collection of Rembrandt etchings caused a stir.
8. Getty Museum (Los Angeles, CA)
Known for its beautiful, lush gardens, the Getty Museum would be a primo destination even if it didn’t contain one of the most breathtaking collections of ancient and medieval art in the world. Of particular interest are the Greek and Roman works, as well as the medieval portraiture. A stunning location, but pack lunch because the food is rather pricey.
7. Smithsonian Institution (Washington, DC)
One of the absolute must-see destinations in the United States, the Smithsonian comprises a whole bunch of different museums, fine art naturally being among them. Check out the Renwick Gallery, and the Sackler Gallery of Asian Art. And best of all, admission is free!
6. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (San Francisco, CA)
A truly great place to see art, due in large part to its spacious internal design, which makes up for its smaller size when compared to its New York counterpart. Recent exhibits have included Picasso and his American disciples, as well as the photography of Lewis Carroll.
5. Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City, NY)
One of the best reasons to live in New York City. This place is absolutely huge, with a mind-boggling array of works spanning nearly every period and country on the globe. Plan multiple visits, because you’re never going to take it all at once. Look out for the medieval tapestries, as well as the elaborate and well-presented collection of European paintings.
4. Museum of Fine Arts (Roxbury, MA)
A terrific place to visit, especially if your interest tends toward the antique. The MFA is known for its collection of ancient Egyptian sculpture, which draws visitors from far and wide. It also boasts a very nice series of 18th and 19th century European paintings, including some gorgeous works by Monet.
3. Museum of Modern Art (New York City, NY)
The gold standard of modern art museums, the MOMA houses some of the iconic works of the past 100+ years, including Van Gogh’s “Starry Night”, Picasso’s “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon”, Jasper Johns’ “Flag” and Jackson Pollock’s “One: Number 31”. Consequently, it’s also among the nation’s most expensive museums—but you can stop by on free nights if you don’t mind large crowds.
2. The Frick Collection (New York City, NY)
One of the country’s best kept art secrets, the Frick houses an eclectic collection highlighted by the works of some of the Flemish masters. The gallery is actually contained within the Central Park East mansion of Henry Clay Frick, the late steel magnate of whose personal collection it is composed.
1. National Gallery of Art (Washington, DC)
The only Da Vinci painting in the Western hemisphere. Entire rooms devoted to the likes of Rembrandt, Titian, Manet and Raphael. Some of the best gelato you can get outside of Italy. Oh, and did I mention that it’s free? A museum worthy of its status as the “official art museum” of the United States.
Chicago's Art Institute, rated as one of the world's best. Great collection of French Impressionism. Also the place to see several of the most recognizable paintings: Grant Wood's "American Gothic", Hopper's "Nighthawks", Georges Seurat's "La Grande Jatte".
The list was made by NY art examiner Brian Soloman.
NY Art Examiner: The Ten Best Art Museums in America (http://www.examiner.com/x-898-New-York-Art-Examiner~y2008m9d30-The-Ten-Best-Art-Museums-in-America - broken link)
I would like to see some facts regarding size, attendance, collection, value, etc. Does anyone have a source??
I have been to the St. Louis institutions including the university collections. All good. And free!
In NYC... MOMA, Gug, Met, Frick and of course the galleries cannot be discounted. (all great)
Chicago Art Inst. and the Contemporary Museum. (great)
Philadelphia (very good)
Cleveland (very good)
Cincinnati art museum (okay) and the contemporary (better)
Atlanta the High (okay, I felt it lacking)
KC (good)
DC (very good)
The list was made by NY art examiner Brian Soloman.
NY Art Examiner: The Ten Best Art Museums in America (http://www.examiner.com/x-898-New-York-Art-Examiner~y2008m9d30-The-Ten-Best-Art-Museums-in-America - broken link)
Not questioning his list but I found his bio hilarious.
"Brian Solomon spent seven years writing for World Wrestling Entertainment, and somehow still retains a marginal amount of his sanity. A Brooklyn transplant living in the wiles of Fairfield County, CT, he's now a freelance writer by day, compulsive blogger by night."
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