Best of the Best - Art Galleries - By: Clair Jons, Posted on: 2006-12-05

There are apples and there are apples. While almost every city in the world lays claim to a great art gallery, there are very few that are globally recognized and famous. People, art lovers, historians and the commoners all flock to these art galleries travelling all across the world just to see some of the master pieces that these galleries house.

The Louvre in Paris, France is probably the most famous art gallery in the world. While it can also be considered a museum the art housed in the Louvre is truly stunning. The most famous piece of art in the Louvre is the Mona Lisa, by Da Vinci. This painting has been stolen and recovered, and is now kept under high security. The Louvre also houses many other famous paintings by Da Vinci and hundreds of other famous artists.

In New York City, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a premier location for beautiful art masterpieces. The art gallery has an amazing collection of American paintings that will stun and impress any visitor. There are also paintings and statues housed there from all over the world, including many famous artists such as Botticelli, Raphael, and El Greco.

London has an amazing gallery known as The National Gallery. This gallery boasts of some of the finest examples of European art, including paintings by Raphael, Manet, Leonardo Da Vinci, Renoir, and Monet. This gallery has a very large number of paintings and some of the most famous ones are: Sunflowers, by Vincent van Gogh, The Virgin of the Rocks, by Leonardo Da Vinci, and Venus and Mars, by Sandro Botticelli.

Other than the traditional art galleries found all over the world that house the old greats, there are many that focus on the contemporary arts of the twentieth century. The George Pompidou Center in Paris is one of the most famous contemporary art galleries and museums in the world. Even the building itself is totally contemporary, with all the ducts and piping on the outside.

The modern art galleries and museums often show furniture, sound, light, and musical exhibitions. They also feature the usually seen paintings, drawings, and prints. When you visit one of the newer galleries, you will definitely notice how times have changed over the decades, as reflected by the art.

Most of the major European cities are home to at least a national and a contemporary gallery. Usually there are also private galleries. Any time you visit a major metropolitan area, be sure to include the galleries in your itinerary. It's a wonderful way to learn about a country and its cultures. History and its changes are reflected in the art on display.

For those that want to possess these works of art, the only place to visit is the private galleries. The exhibits in national galleries are not for sale. While private galleries offer some good works of art, they do not house the greats such as the Renoirs or Van Gogh's. Another option is to visit auction houses such as Christie's that often hold art auctions. These auctions feature some stunning pieces that you can bid on and possibly acquire if the pockets are deep.

Art is a beautiful part of our history and any visit to an art gallery, be it the Louvre or your local gallery, is a journey back through time and into the creative master minds that help shape our culture.

Free Article brought to YOU by ArticlesOn.com, where you'll find Articles On Everything! Visit http://articleson.com to get more free content.

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 more free articles on Art why not visit: www.feart.com/articles
Click here for other unique art articles.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated

Excellent Hosting Service