Where art is preserved: 10 Best Art Museums in the World

There are two kinds of art enthusiasts in the world. The ones that create art and the ones that appreciate the artistic brilliance of others. An art museum is the place where both of these art enthusiasts unite to appreciate the existence of the other. And if you’re looking for art museums which stand at the epitome of artistic creativity and brilliance, here’s Rooftop’s guide to some of the best art museums in the world! Take a look.

Known as one of the most-visited art museums in the world, Musee du Louvre is not only revered for its grand entrance but also its iconic collection of over 35,000 pieces of art dating back to 1793 with a few examples being the Mona Lisa by DaVinci and The Venus de Milo by Alexandros of Antioch. Located on the right bank of The Seine, Musèe du Louvre provides for a rich artistic experience along with a beautiful view.

Situated on the edge of Central Park in the heart of New York City, the Metropolitan Museum of Arts also known as the MET, is one of the most revered cultural institutions around the world, with a collection of over two million pieces of art ranging from ancient Egyptian artefacts to modern contemporary paintings. Not only is it a house for culturally significant paintings such as The Starry Night, but it is also the fourth-largest museum in the world in terms of grandeur.

With an expansive gallery of over 2,000 paintings, sculptures and prints by Indian masters such as Raja Ravi Verma and Amrita Shergill, the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) is one of the premium art museums in India meant to display the rich cultural history and heritage of Indian Art. With the inclusion of European artists such as Thomas Daniel and William Daniel, the gallery becomes an all-encompassing space for art enthusiasts across the world. Stay tuned for some exciting art initiatives between Rooftop and NGMA.

Known to be the home of the stunning Sistine Chapel and the thousands of artefacts detailing Catholic heritage, the Vatican Museums store some of the world’s most iconic artefacts including the works of artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael. With over 1,400 rooms and even more artefacts, the grandeur of the Vatican Museums gives justice to the priceless value of the articles it stores.

Renowned for its collection of Impressionist and post-impressionist French artwork, the Musee d’ Orsay in Paris is home to an extensive array of artefacts created by artists like Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet and Renoir. It offers a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the artistic movement of the 19th and 20th century in Europe. One might recognize the infamous self-portrait of Van Gogh that is stored in Musee d’ Orsay.

A lesser-known gem known for showcasing the artistic variety Jaipur has to offer, the museum is nothing less than a palace with its grand exterior and rich interior with an array of paintings and memorabilia from the Mewar Dynasty and the region's cultural traditions. If you are enamoured by visually stunning art and architecture, at least to say, Umaid Bhawan is a must-visit.

One of the oldest and most famous art museums out there featuring Renaissance art, Uffizi Gallery located in Florence, the heart of Renaissance is home to the legendary artworks of Botticelli, DaVinci and Michelangelo. A must-visit destination for art lovers and history enthusiasts, Uffizi Gallery with its old charm provides an in-depth view of the Renaissance world with its world-class depictions of Italy’s artistic heritage.

With over 8,000 artworks spanning from the 12th century to the 20th century, the Museo del Prado in the heart of Madrid built by Juan de Villanueva is one of the greatest art museums to ever exist. The Prado’s collections include El Greco’s “The Disrobing of Christ” and Goya’s “The Third of May 1808”. Least to say, its stunning exhibitions capture the eye of all, especially travel and art enthusiasts.

Another branch of NGMA (National Gallery of Modern Art) located in Mumbai, this exhibition is no stranger to the award-winning artworks of M.F Husain, Subodh Gupta and Bharati Kher. With the works of such great artists on board, NGMA specializes in the portrayal of Indian modern and contemporary art, resulting in a beautiful blend of the traditional with the Western. Thus, securing its spot as one of the best art museums of the country.

The National Gallery is one of the world’s greatest art museums with a collection of over 2,300 artworks from the 13th century to the 1900s featuring Western European Art including Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers”, “Virgin of the Rocks” and other renowned works of Botticelli, Raphael and Michelangelo. Not only do their temporary exhibitions make for an eye-catching phenomenon but also their interactive art programs and activities, making the process of visiting an art museum fun for its attendees.

Be it the microscopically accurate sculptures of Michelangelo or the thought-provoking drawings of M.F Husain, the process of viewing and understanding art in itself is a joyful and invigorating experience. And these museums provide you with exactly that. How? One might think. For more accessible art museums around the country which are one of their kind, read this article by Rooftop and learn what makes them stand out. With that being said, allow yourself to understand and explore what makes art great.

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