Tour the Greatest Museums in the World from the Comfort of Your Home
Though traveling the world may not be possible right now, thanks to the magic of 3D video, you can enjoy a whirlwind tour of some of the best museums from the comfort of your home. Never seen Michelangelo's David or Vermeer's "The Girl with the Pearl Earring"? While it isn't *quite* the same as actually being in the place in real life, a virtual tour does recreate the experience of seeing the artwork up close and personal. Below, we've rounded up some of our favorite tours to check out right now.
The Louvre
Arguably the most famous museum in the world, The Louvre has seven exhibitions available to view virtually right now, including the medieval remains of the Louvre's moat from when it was a castle, their Egyptian antiquities collection, and a special exhibit on myths "from Hercules to Darth Vader."
Check them all out here.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Those who miss wandering the halls of the Met can tour it a different way with 360-degree video of six of their most famous spaces (including The Temple of Dendur, The Cloisters and the Arms and Armor Galleries). They also have a collection of art-themed activities for kids and adults, including interviews with artists and downloadable coloring books. (And for any NYC residents – the Met is planning to open on August 29 with safety protocols in place).
Check them all out here.
Art Institute of Chicago
The museum has put thousands of works from their collection online, so you can revisit your favorites (like Van Gogh's "The Bedroom") plus discover their extensive El Greco exhibit online. The museum also has virtual Zoom backgrounds to download, in case you'd like to situate yourself in a place far, far away (we're partial to the Jacobean English bedchamber). Chicago residents can also visit the museum in person, with social-distancing measures in place.
Check out the museum's virtual offerings here.
Galleria dell’Academia
Now's your chance to visit Michelangelo's "David" without the swarms of crowds. The Galleria dell'Academia, which houses the famous work has put up an amazing 360 VR tour of the gallery space with a guide who describes the work, Michelangelo's background, and the story of the piece's creation.
Watch it here.
Hermitage Museum
The eighth most visited museum in the world has one of the most extensive virtual tours we've seen, with nearly every building and gallery viewable online (and yes, there are a lot of buildings). It also has a huge list of every gallery and room available, so you can easily pick out what you want to see and click on icons on the objects to learn more about them.
Check out the museum's virtual offerings here.
The Mauritshuis
For those in love with the Golden Age of Dutch painting, there is no better stop than the Mauritshuis in the Haag, Netherlands. There, you'll find works like Vermeer's "Girl with the Pearl Earring," Rembrandt's "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp" and many more. Google Arts & Culture has broken down some of the most famous pieces on their site.
Check out the museum's virtual offerings here.
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