Throughout the
world, museums and cultural institutions beckon people to explore new
cultures and topics through their carefully curated collections and
transcending exhibitions. For those quick to dismiss the museum experience as
boring, it's time to think again: Galleries in all corners of the world, from
Senegal to Japan, have mastered the art of creating engaging exhibits on art,
history, and culture that can change any pessimist's mind. Many of these
museums are also known for their incredible restaurants and cafes.
National
Gallery of Canada in Ottawa
When
the National Gallery of Canada was established in 1880, the first
exhibition primarily consisted of 19th-century works at the historic Clarendon
Hotel in Ottawa. Over 140 years later, a 30-foot bronze spider called
the Maman greets visitors at the gallery's new home designed by
architect Moshe Sadie. The national art museum now houses 75,000 works of art
ranging from Canadian and Indigenous pieces to the neoclassicist
painting The Death of General Wolfe by Benjamin West.
The
Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam
Touted as one of
the most influential Dutch painters of all time, Vincent Van
Gogh produced nearly 900 paintings and more than 1,100 works on paper
during his lifetime. The two buildings of the Vincent Van Gogh
Museum were designed by Gerrit Rietveld in 1973 with the core of the
collection coming from Theo van Gogh, Vincent's younger brother. Along with his
own artwork like Sunflowers, the gallery also includes work by those van
Gogh influenced.
Mauritshuis
in The Hague, Netherlands
Known as the Royal Picture Gallery of the Netherlands, Mauritshuis houses a rare collection of Golden Age paintings from countless Dutch and Flemish artisans. In 1816, King William I offered the collections once owned by his father, stadholder Prince William V, to the Dutch state, establishing the first national gallery in The Hague.
Museo
Larco in Lima
Located in the Pueblo Libre District of Lima, Museo Larco specializes in pre-Columbian art, spanning over 5000 years of Peruvian history. Established by Rafael Larco Hoyle in 1926 after acquiring 45,000 artifacts and vessels, the institution is currently housed in an 18th century vice-royal building. Among the museum's permanent collection, the Gold and Silver Gallery displays the largest collection of Columbian Jewelry, which was often worn by notable rulers during the time.
The National Art Center in Tokyo
You never quite know what awe-striking sculpture or Japanese masterpiece you will find at this impressive institution. The National Art Center prides itself in being an 'empty museum', constantly ushering new exhibitions and collections spread across it's concrete and glass structure designed by Kisho Kurokawa. Established in 2007, the quirky museum quickly grew in popularity and became a must see attraction in Tokyo. Past exhibitions cover a wide range of topics from the Impressionist works of Claude Monet and the impact of anime on Japanese culture to the history of Cartier.
Veranda.com (2018)
