The Big Apple is known for many things, with its vibrant art scene being ranked right up there near the top worldwide. If you have any interest in art, then the museums located throughout the city are where you want to be. Of course, since there is only so much time to go around, you probably wonder what the best art museums to visit in New York City are.
While there are many great art museums in New York City just waiting for you to visit, the top three are highly regarded across the globe. These are each known for their respective collections. They are The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
When visiting New York City for any length of time, you will quickly discover that there is no shortage of quality museums for you to gaze your eyes upon. Take time to visit those that are well known, but also carve out some time your schedules for those that are a bit lesser known. Continue reading to learn more about the best art museums to visit in New York City.
Table of Contents
A History of Art in NYC
Many art lovers today consider New York City to be the art capital of the United States. Not only are there countless museums located in the city limits to back up this claim, but there is history of supporting the notion as well. One can go back to 1913 to see a period where New York City turned itself into an art lover’s paradise.
At this time in its history, America was still a young nation struggling to find its own way and to create a unique identity. This was reflected in the art of the time. Americans were struggling to put their stamp on the art world, meaning that they were unable to compete with the revival of sorts that was taking place in Europe and elsewhere. That all changed in 1913.
With the introduction of the Armory Show, New York City’s place on the world art set would become firm. This show has run every year since 1913, so it is easy to see its relevance to the art scene throughout the region. This has always been a way for American artists to showcase their work and make a name for themselves. The world has taken notice as a result.
It was John Quinn who originally came up with the idea of the Armory Show. He created the concept in consultation with the Association of American Painters and Sculptors. It was initially designed to last for one month a year and was a chance for American art lovers to be exposed to various types of works that included:
- Impressionism
- Cubism
- Fauvism
- Futurism
Each show would bring America closer and close to the art revolution sweeping the world at that time. American artists would use this show to highlight their own sense of artistic expression. It was their chance to be wild and bold and to get their works noticed. It also singlehandedly ushered in a new era in New York City art history.
What is the Largest Art Museum in New York City?
The Metropolitan Museum of Art was established in 1870 and is now the largest art museum in New York City. It also happens to be the largest in the entire United States and the third largest in the world. As a result, it contains numerous collections that you cannot see anywhere else in the world.
Is the Met or MoMA Better?
Both the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art should be on the must-see list of any art lover in the world today. While the Met may be the overall winner because of its sheer size and the fact that it represents 6,000 years of art history, the MoMA is equally impressive.
The Best Art Museums to Visit in NYC
With so many world-class museums to choose from, it is difficult to pin down the museums universally considered the best in New York City. However, in an effort to do exactly that, the following is a list of what many art lovers consider to be the best art museums to visit in NYC. Take a look and then decide for yourself.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Located on the Upper East Side of NYC, this is perhaps the best known art museum in the region. It is also one of the primary reasons why many people visit New York City in the first place. This museum houses quite a few collections, including a selection of ancient and classical sculptures. You can spend days here and still not feel as if you have seen a fraction of the art on display.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art also has numerous paintings and historical photographs on display. Beyond this, the amount of traditional furniture and medieval armor within its collections is also what has made the museum so famous. When it is all said and done, you have the possibility of seeing over two million works of art at this one museum alone.
If you are looking for one spectacular collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that you simply cannot miss, that would have to be the Temple of Dendur. This is the actual temple that was erected in Egypt way back in 15 BC. It is now situated in the museum, where it has been on display since the early 1970s.
Solomon R. Guggenhelm Museum
This particular museum is also located on the Upper East Side of the city. The building itself is a marvel to look at, being built in the shape of a spiral and designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Once inside, you will be able to look at countless pieces of modern art. The museum also hosts regular special exhibits that keep it relevant to residents and frequent visitors alike.
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is located just opposite Central Park, so it is easy to find. It has been around since 1959 and has built a reputation of being a unique museum that is different than the status quo. Wright designed the building to make use of geometric figures and to incorporate natural components wherever possible.
The rotunda of the museum is where you will find the special exhibits that rotate every so often throughout the year. While you are there, two of the works you must see are Water Lilies by Money and The Starry Night by Van Gogh. Both are now housed and displayed on a permanent basis at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
Whitney Museum of American Art
Here is a museum that has been a fixture on the New York art scene for well over five decades. At the same time, it is now housed in a new location within the Meatpacking District of Lower Manhattan, giving it a much more cultural and historical flare when compared to its previous home on Madison Avenue and 75th Street.
The new building gives the museum more than 63,000 square feet of space that it can utilize, both inside and outside. This is a lot of exhibition space, and the Whitney Museum of American Art has mastered the ability to maximize its collection in this regard. The entire goal of this museum from its outset in 1931 has been to preserve the artwork completed by Americans.
Because of its unique focus highlighting American artists, the exhibitions are quite varied and appeal to a diverse audience. When visiting the Whitney Museum of American Art, you will find a collection that calls more than 15,000 pieces of art home. There are works from more than 2,000 artists represented here, including the following:
- Alexander Calder
- Willem de Kooning
- Edward Hopper
- Jasper Johns
- Claes Oldenburg
The museum is perhaps most well-known for the temporary shows that it puts on at various points throughout the year. The Whitney Biennial is the best known. It is held during even-numbered years and is viewed as a modern portrayal of contemporary art in the United States.
The Brooklyn Museum
Many people visiting art museums in New York City want to enjoy the scene without the crowds traditionally associated with the Big Apple. That is exactly what you will achieve by visiting the Brooklyn Museum. While it might be less crowded than the more popularly known venues, it makes up for it in terms of innovation and the level of impact it has on its visitors.
You will find the Brooklyn Museum located directly on the edge of Prospect Park. Once inside, you will see plenty of different collections to capture your interest. One of them is a large exhibition explicitly devoted to Egyptian art. This is also where you will find the Dinner Party, a feminist work of art completed by Judy Chicago.
The Brooklyn Museum has also become so popular because of its focus on the Impressionist era. Visitors will be captivated by the exhibit that houses work from such artists as:
- Cezanne
- Monet
- Degas
In addition to the Impressionist exhibit, visitors will also enjoy the Early American Art collection, several period rooms, and other seasonal collections that come and go.
The New Museum of Contemporary Art
This is a new museum that recently opened in its present location in 2007. The facility focuses on contemporary art, with many of the exhibitions highlighting various works from the 80s, 90s, and the first part of this decade.
One of the unique components of the New Museum of Contemporary Art is the building itself. It is a seven-story facility that was designed from the ground up with the museum in mind. It has a lot of Japanese design elements, which is one of the characteristics that has drawn so many people around the world to come and see it.
Once you arrive at the museum, you will be greeted by three distinct galleries just waiting for you to explore. There is also a theater and several roof terraces to explore. One of the components of this facility that sets it apart from others is its focus on allowing artists who tend to be under-recognized to showcase their work.
Wrap-Up
While just about every major city in the world has a vibrant art scene, there is something special to be said about the one that exists in New York City. There are quite a few museums to enjoy and you can bask in the glory of both traditional and modern art. Take some time to visit a few of these locations the next time you are in the Big Apple. Along with these, one can consider the Best Walking Tours in the US.