8 Museums You Can Virtually Tour Right Now
Visit famous institutions in Paris, Amsterdam, and more—without leaving home.
If you’re going through museum withdrawal due to quarantining circumstances, you’re in luck. House Beautiful has gathered a list of art museums from around the globe that you can virtually tour, taking in their collections through your computer screen (turn your brightness UP!). So, no matter where in the world you may be, you can travel to London, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, New York City, Amsterdam, Florence, São Paulo, and Paris—without having to leave your house. Let the adventures of museum hopping begin!
The National Portrait Gallery, London, England
Given that the National Portrait Gallery in London was set to close later this year for renovations until at least spring of 2023, a virtual tour of the famed museum really is the best route to take. Upon its opening in 1856, the National Portrait Gallery became the very first portrait gallery in the world. Expect to see portraits (who would’ve guessed) of prominent people from throughout history, including the Brontë sisters — Charlotte, Emily, and Anne — in a painting done by their brother, Patrick Branwell Brontë, and the famous Chandos portrait, which is believed to depict William Shakespeare.
The Frick Art Museum, Pittsburgh, PA
If you’re into European paintings from the 1800s, and Renaissance and Baroque bronze sculptures and paintings, then the Frick Art Museum is right up your alley. Their collection includes works by artists like Peter Paul Rubens, Apollonio Di Giovanni, Jan van Os, Carle Van Loo, Maurice Quentin de la Tour, Arthur Devis, Jean-Louis de Marne, and Jan Steen. You can also tour other Pittsburgh sites, like the Clayton Mansion.
The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, CA
Located at the Getty Center, the J. Paul Getty Museum is home to a variety of works, including European decorative arts, paintings, illuminated manuscripts, drawings, and sculptures. The renowned museum also features Greek, Etruscan, and Roman art, ranging from the Neolithic era to Late Antiquity, as well as international photography from the 20th and 21st centuries.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
As the biggest museum of art in the United States, the Met receives millions of visitors every year, making it one of the most visited art museums in the world. From the comfort of your own home, you can enjoy virtual tours of the Great Hall, the Temple of Dendur, the Charles Engelhard Court, and the Arms and Armor Galleries, as well as the Met Cloisters and the Met Breuer. The best part of these kinds of tours? No crowds!
The Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Since 1973, the Van Gogh Museum has displayed the most substantial collection of Vincent Van Gogh creations in the world, which includes 700 letters, 400 drawings, and 200 paintings. This historic museum, located in Amsterdam, received the most visitors of any museum in the Netherlands in 2017, and that same year, the Van Gogh Museum ranked at number 23 on the list of most visited art museums worldwide. Some of the most famous Vincent van Gogh paintings on display here are Self-portrait (1888), Sunflowers (1889), and Almond Blossoms (1890).
Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy
The Uffizi Gallery is located inside a Mannerist-style building designed by famed painter, architect, and historian Giorgio Vasari (he was the first to write about the Renaissance). The building took two decades to complete, between 1560 to 1580. On this virtual tour, you will see ancient artworks beginning with the Middle Ages, all the way through the Modern period. Works from iconic artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Raphael are on view here. The Medici family has provided the gallery with ancient statues and busts that are Roman duplicates of Greek sculptures that were never found.
The São Paulo Museum of Art, São Paulo, Brazil
No matter what you call it — the São Paulo Museum of Art, Museu de Arte de São Paulo, or MASP — this landmark museum, designed by Linda Bo Bardi, has plenty to see, whether you do so online or in real life. Although it is most well known for its European art collection, the São Paulo Museum of Art also offers an impressive array of Brazilian, African, and Asian art, totaling over 8,000 items, and an art library that is one of the biggest in Brazil.
Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France
The Musée d'Orsay is situated inside a Beaux Arts-style building that was once a railroad station known as Gare d'Orsay, and later, a hotel. The structure was built between 1898 and 1900, and the museum itself boasts a wide range of magnificent French art, including furniture, paintings, photographs, and sculptures. Paintings by greats like Renoir, Monet, Degas, Manet, and van Gogh are on display throughout the museum.
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