For now, we continue our self-isolation, I`m unclear if it has been 6 weeks, 6 days, or 6 months. I do keep reminding myself that I am not stuck at home I am safe at home. Most of the time I remember that! Then there are moments! I am taking advantage of the quieter time to catch up on projects which were on the back burner and watch/participate in various webinars. Today, I feature 9 museums you can virtually visit. This being an architecture post, as you explore the fabulous art contained in these structures do remember to occasionally look up to appreciate the architectural detail. I think the selection is quite good ranging from the sixteenth century to the 20th century. Enjoy! Oh yes, and stay home!
The British Museum
London, England
The building itself has a Greek Revival facade typical of Sir Robert Smirke (there’s a name we can explore). Construction began in 1823. There are 44 Ionic order columns. The building is said to be inspired by the Temple of Athena Polia in Greece.
Amazing timeline
Guggenheim Museum
New York, New York
The building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (who we’ve previously explored generally, with his Tarrianna House, Hollyhock House, and Fallingwater, and of course a Gingerbread inspired house) in 1959. The interior of this cylindrical structure, which is wider at the top then the bottom, consists of a ramp taking you up progressively up to the top.
Virtual Tour
Musée D’Orsay
Paris, France
Designed in the Beaux-Arts style. It originally was a train station on the Left Bank of Paris. Completed in 1900. In 1986 it was converted to a museum.
Virtual Tour
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
Gwacheon-guan, Korea
Completed in 1986 the main branch of this museum is designed in the style of a traditional Korean fortress.
Virtual Tour, Doeksugung, Floor 1, Floor 2, Floor 3, Basement
Rijksmuseum
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Designed by Peter Cuypers and opened in 1885. It has a strong Dutch Renaissance influence in spite of its French style massing.
Virtual Tour
Van Gogh
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Designed by Gerrit Rietveid and Kisho Kurokaw it opened in 1973. It consists of two buildings. One with a rectangular floor plan the other with an oval floor plan. The first for the permanent collection, the latter for temporary exhibits.
Ground floor, First Floor, Second Floor, Third Floor
J. Paul Getty Museum
Los Angeles, California
Designed by Richard Meier in 1997 it is designed in beige-coloured travertine.
Virtual Tour
Uffizi Gallery,
Florence Italy
This structure was begun in 1560 for Cosimo de Medici (a great TV series to watch if you’ve not seen it).
Virtual Tour
MASP – Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo Assis Chateaubriand
São Paulo, Brazil
Designed by Lina Bo Bardi in 1968. It consists of a glass structure supported by 74 metre long concrete beams.
Virtual Tour
Kathryn says
The Night Watch in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam is absolutely stunning.
The Uffizi was just too too much – couldn’t take it in but brought the book!
Having seen the Elgin Marbles at the British Museum, I can only conclude that centaurs really did exist and these ones were sculpted from life…