Art Galleries for the Connoisseur

There are literally thousands of art galleries all over the world. Almost every city has an art gallery but there are some art galleries that are known all around the world. People will travel across the world just to see some of these famous art galleries and the master pieces that they house inside.

Probably the most famous art gallery in the entire world is the Louvre, located in Paris, France. The building itself is a museum, but it's more widely known as being home to many stunning paintings. The most famous of all is da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Due to theft, and thankfully being returned, security is extremely high. You will find other paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, as well as other world class painters.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York City, is another home to incredible works of art. For Americans, it's a great place to see works by famous fellow countrymen, but there are also important works from all over the globe. Some of these are paintings and sculptures by Botticelli, Raphael, and El Greco.

Our next stop is London, England, where the National Gallery is situated. There you will find glorious works by the best known artists of Europe. Some of the most famous are by Raphael, Manet, da Vinci, Renoir, and Monet. True art lovers will need to make a visit to this stunning gallery at some time in their lives. Some paintings hanging there are: Sunflowers, by Vincent Van Gogh; The Virgin of the Rocks, by Leonardo da Vinci; and Venus and Mars, by Sandro Botticelli.

Not all galleries across the world are homes to the old masters. Many of them offer representations from the twentieth century. Among the most famous contemporary art galleries and museums is the George Pompidou Center in Paris. The architecture is unique as well, since the piping and ducts are on the outside, rather than being hidden behind walls.

Contemporary art galleries and museums typically feature not only paintings, drawings, and prints, but exhibits of furniture, sound, light, and even music. Visiting these galleries can be a fascinating visit through the past few decades and shows how much style and taste has changed.

Each major metropolitan center in Europe houses a traditional national art gallery, a contemporary gallery, and usually many art galleries - some of these may be private. While most national galleries concentrate on exhibits of art from the history of their country, these can be of great learning value in understanding the culture of the land. A visit to this assortment of art galleries is a must do for every art lover.

If you plan on buying some art pieces, you won't be able to do so at the national galleries. You can however visit private galleries in your pursuit of owning some major works. These probably won't include Renoir's or Van Gogh's, but you will find many wonderful pieces that you'll be able to call your own. Art auctions are often held at Christie's and other art houses. This is another way of obtaining some incredible works of art.

Art as an expression of our culture, thought process and creativity has no parallel. Viewing these masterpieces in an art gallery transposes the viewer into the mind and time of the creator who has shaped our culture.

Article Source: http://www.abcarticledirectory.com

About the author: Clair Jons is the chief writer at FE Art, a fantastic website to visit if you're looking for accurate up to date advice and discussion about Art. For further information on Art please visit: www.feart.com/articles You can swap links with us by going to: www.feart.com/links
Get a unique version of this article from our art article directory

Posted on 2006-12-12, By: *

* Click on the author's name to view their profile and articles!!!

Note: The content of this article solely conveys the opinion of its author,