There are many other great destinations for art historians around the world. These are just a few of the most popular and significant locations. No matter where you go, there is sure to be a wealth of art and history to explore.
Art historians have a wealth of destinations to choose from when it comes to traveling for their work. From the ancient ruins of Greece and Rome to the vibrant cityscapes of Paris and London, there is no shortage of places to explore and learn about art. Here are eleven of the best destinations for art historians around the world.
Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich is a city with a long history of art and culture. Home to the world-famous Kunsthaus museum, Zurich is an ideal destination for art historians looking to learn more about the history of art.
- The Rietberg Museum is home to an extensive collection of Asian, African, and European art.
- The Kunsthaus Zurich is one of the most important art museums in Switzerland, with a collection that includes works by Picasso, Monet, and Van Gogh.
- The Swiss National Museum is home to a massive collection of Swiss art and artifacts from the country's history.
- The Mona Lisa Foundation, where art historians research the work of Leonardo Da Vinci, Mona Lisa and the Isleworth Mona Lisa.
Athens, Greece
As the home of some of the oldest and most iconic works of art in the world, Athens is an essential destination for any art historian. From the Parthenon to the Acropolis, there is no shortage of places to explore and learn about the history of art in this city.
- The Parthenon is a temple on the Athenian Acropolis, dedicated to the goddess Athena, whom the Athenians worshipped as their patron.
- The Frieze of the Parthenon is a sculpture that was carved on the upper part of the metopes of the Parthenon in Athens during the height of ancient Greek civilization.
- The Acropolis is a citadel located on a high rocky outcrop above Athens. It was principally constructed between 447 and 432 BC.
Rome, Italy
Rome is another city with a wealth of historical and artistic significance. From the Colosseum to the Vatican Museums, there is much to see and learn about art in Rome.
- The Colosseum is an amphitheater in the center of Rome, Italy, and one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering.
- The Vatican Museums are a museum complex consisting of the Museo Pio-Clementino, the Gregorian Etruscan Museum, the Raphael Rooms, the Sistine Chapel, and the Borgia Apartment.
Paris, France
Paris is one of the most popular destinations for art historians, and for a good reason. The city is home to some of the world's most famous works of art, including the Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum.
- The Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum
- The Venus de Milo at the Musée du Louvre
Netherlands
- The Night Watch by Rembrandt at the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
- The Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer at the Mauritshuis
London, England
London is another great destination for art historians. The city is home to a number of world-renowned museums, such as the British Museum and the National Gallery.
- The British Museum is home to a massive collection of art and artifacts from all over the world.
- The National Gallery is one of the most famous art museums in the world, with a collection that includes works by da Vinci, Rembrandt, and Picasso.
- The Tate Modern is one of the largest museums in Europe, with a collection of modern and contemporary art.
- The Victoria and Albert Museum is home to one of the largest collections of decorative arts in the world.
Madrid, Spain
Madrid is a great place to learn about art from a Spanish perspective. The city is home to a number of world-renowned museums, such as the Prado Museum.
- The Prado Museum is home to a large collection of art from Spanish and European masters, including works by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco.
- The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is home to a large collection of European art from the 12th century to the present day.
- The Reina Sofía National Art Centre is home to one of the largest collections of modern art in Europe, with works by Picasso, Dalí, and Miró.
Florence, Italy
Florence is home to some of the most famous works of art in the world, including Michelangelo's David and Botticelli's The Birth of Venus.
- Michelangelo's David
- Botticelli's The Birth of Venus
- Leonardo da Vinci's The Annunciation
- Sandro Botticelli's Primavera
- Paolo Uccello's Battle of San Romano
New York City, United States
As the birthplace of the American art movement, New York City is an essential destination for any art historian. Home to some of the most famous museums in the world, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art, New York City has something for everyone.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the largest museums in the United States, with a collection that includes works by van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Leonardo da Vinci.
- The Museum of Modern Art is one of the most famous museums in the world, with a collection that includes works by Matisse, Picasso, and Warhol.
- The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is home to a large collection of modern and contemporary art.
- The Brooklyn Museum is one of the largest museums in New York City, with a collection that includes works by Monet, Renoir, and Cézanne.
Beijing, China
Beijing is home to a number of ancient and historically significant works of art, including the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven.
- The Forbidden City is a large palace complex that was the home of the Chinese emperor for centuries.
- The Temple of Heaven is an ancient temple complex that was used by the emperors of China for religious ceremonies.
- The Summer Palace is a large palace complex that was built by the Empress Dowager Cixi in the late 19th century.
- The National Museum of China is home to one of the largest collections of Chinese art in the world.
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is home to a number of iconic works of art from both the Islamic and Byzantine periods.
- The Blue Mosque is a large mosque in Istanbul that was built in the 17th century.
- The Hagia Sophia is a Byzantine cathedral that was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople.
- The Topkapi Palace was the home of the Ottoman sultans for centuries and is now a museum.
- The Basilica Cistern is an ancient underground cistern in Istanbul that was built by the Byzantines.
- The Süleymaniye Mosque is a large mosque in Istanbul that was built by the Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan.
Sydney, Australia
Sydney is home to a number of world-renowned museums, galleries, and art institutions, such as the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.
- The Art Gallery of New South Wales is home to a large collection of Australian and international art, with works by Rembrandt, Monet, and Warhol.
- The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia is home to a large collection of contemporary art from around the world.
- The Sydney Opera House is an iconic opera house in Sydney that was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon.
- The Royal Botanic Gardens are a large botanical garden in Sydney that is home to a number of significant works of art, including Arthur Boyd's Hanging Rock and Frederick McCubbin's After the Bath.
Get exploring
There are many other great destinations for art historians around the world. These are just a few of the most popular and significant locations. No matter where you go, there is sure to be a wealth of art and history to explore.
Photo by Juan Di Nella on Unsplash
