8 Stunning Museums Around the World That Every Art Enthusiast Should Visit
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The existence of museums plays an important role in preserving art and culture across the globe. Museums are also a means for cultural exchange and enrichment of cultures, as well as educating people about history and tradition. Every year, new museums join in the commemoration of International Museum Day on 18 May, providing more space devoted to the arts. Sharing the same dedication to intercultural dialogue, we have listed down eight stunning museums around the world dedicated to housing and preserving art.
THE GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM BILBAO, SPAIN
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, in partnership with the Basque Institutions, brought the Guggenheim Museum to life in 1997. The complex and remarkable details on the exterior of the museum was designed by Frank O. Gehry, a Canadian-born architect known for his quirky designs. The interior, however, consists of modern and contemporary art that are just as mesmerising as the building itself.
SIMOSE ART MUSEUM, JAPAN
Perched on the quiet edge of Otake city in the Hiroshima prefecture, the Simose Art Museum brings together the exciting possibilities of art with the idyllic nature surrounding it. The museum complex, which highlights both traditional and modern works, is anchored by the main building, whose exterior is defined by a mirrored glass wall reflecting Japan’s Inland Sea and the Setouchi Islands. This design feature is complemented by the mobile and colourful cargo-container-like waterfront galleries—both serve as a testament to Shigeru Ban’s architectural ingenuity.
THE LOUVRE, FRANCE
Located in the City of Love, Paris, the Louvre is the world’s most visited museum. However, the iconic museum would not be what it has become today, if it had not gone through the many changes that it did. The Louvre was originally built as a palace in the mid-1500s to serve King Francis I as his royal residence. Throughout the museum’s 229 years of existence, the Louvre was built and rebuilt many times subsequently by French kings, adding their own touch to the building. Now, it is home to many of the most well-known artworks in history, such as the Mona Lisa.
THE LOUIS VUITTON FOUNDATION, FRANCE
Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the Louis Vuitton Foundation Museum is a space catering to modern and contemporary art in Paris. The museum houses art belonging to the Foundation as well as the personal collection of Louis Vuitton CEO Bernard Arnault. It also hosts temporary exhibitions showcasing art commissioned from artists and private institutions. The building is also a work of art in itself. An assemblage of white concrete blocks designed to imitate icebergs is used to construct its facade. The 12 huge curved glass facades, carefully arranged, surround the blocks and exude a sense of movement.
MUSÉE D’ORSAY, FRANCE
The Musee d’Orsay museum was originally built between 1898 and 1900 as a railway station. It was the masterwork of Victor Laloux, a well-respected architect of the period. It was initially opened to welcome visitors from home and abroad for the 1900 Universal Exhibition. But the station had served many purposes. Those include as a reception centre for repatriated prisoners and deportees in 1945. Fast forward to today, the museum houses some of the most unforgettable collections of art from the late 19th to 20th centuries.
THE VAN GOGH MUSEUM, NETHERLANDS
Opened in 1973, the Van Gogh Museum pays tribute to the late Vincent van Gogh. It showcases the life and work of the renowned artist. Gerrit Rietveld and Kurokawa Kisho designed the museum’s structure with emphasis on the geometrical forms. It subsequently allows natural light to shine through the exhibition space. The museum showcases Van Gogh’s art, as well as art by his contemporaries, including Mary Cassatt and Paul Gauguin.
SAKA MUSEUM, INDONESIA
One need not go far to get a taste of the world’s culture. Indonesia’s Saka Museum, which opened its doors just last year, is rapidly becoming a creative hub where Bali’s rich heritage takes centre stage. Nestled within the verdant gardens of Ayana Bali, the museum sees the acclaimed Napp Studio & Architects bridging the elements of culture and nature in Balinese Hinduism in its interiors. From the usage of local materials to the employment of different motifs from the religion, Saka Museum celebrates the land in the most meaningful way.
THE VATICAN MUSEUM, ITALY
Founded in 1973 by Pope Julius II, the Vatican Museum exhibits an extensive collection of historical art, archaeology, and ethnoanthropology gathered by the Popes over the centuries. The museum was originally built to enhance and promote prominent Greek and Roman works of art from the Vatican. Today, the museum houses an estimated 70,000 artworks, including Roman sculptures and Renaissance paintings.
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