The Subject: Who Was Saint Barbara?

Saint Barbara, the subject of van Eyck’s panel, was a Christian martyr who lived during the third century. According to legend, she was the daughter of a wealthy pagan man named Dioscorus. To protect her and keep her away from Christian influences, Dioscorus locked her in a tower. Despite his efforts, Barbara secretly converted to Christianity and even added a third window to her tower to symbolize the Holy Trinity. When her father discovered her faith, he denounced her to the Roman authorities, leading to her imprisonment, torture, and eventual execution by his hand.

Saint Barbara became one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, a group of saints venerated for their intercessory powers. Her association with the tower made her a symbol of protection and steadfast faith, and she became the patron saint of artillerymen, miners, and architects.

The Composition of Saint Barbara

Van Eyck’s Saint Barbara is unique among his works for its unfinished state, which offers a rare glimpse into his artistic process. The piece is a panel painted with silverpoint underdrawing, creating a monochromatic effect akin to a detailed sketch. Saint Barbara is shown seated in a contemplative pose, holding a book and a palm branch, traditional symbols of her martyrdom. She is positioned in the foreground, surrounded by a pastoral landscape that features her iconic tower under construction in the background.

The incomplete state of the painting allows viewers to see the preparatory drawing beneath, showcasing van Eyck’s precise draftsmanship and his extraordinary attention to detail. The lines defining Saint Barbara’s figure and the architectural features of the tower are meticulously rendered, revealing a level of planning that underscores van Eyck’s methodical approach to his craft.

The Tower: A Symbol of Faith and Precision

One of the most striking elements of Saint Barbara is the depiction of her tower. In the background, laborers are shown building the structure, an unusual and dynamic detail that emphasizes the story of her imprisonment and her faith. The tower, with its Gothic spires and intricately carved stonework, reflects the architectural advancements of van Eyck’s time and his keen eye for realism. Every scaffolding pole, pulley, and stone block is rendered with astonishing accuracy, providing insight into the construction techniques of the era.

The inclusion of this construction scene is not merely decorative but symbolic. The tower represents both the physical confinement imposed on Barbara by her father and the spiritual strength she derived from her faith. Its incomplete state echoes the unfinished nature of the painting, creating a layered metaphor for human imperfection and the ongoing pursuit of spiritual fulfillment.

The Role of Light and Landscape

Although Saint Barbara lacks the vibrant color and polished finish characteristic of van Eyck’s completed works, it still demonstrates his mastery of light and spatial composition. The delicate gradations of tone in the silverpoint drawing suggest a soft, diffused light that unifies the scene and creates a sense of depth. The rolling hills and distant horizon in the background evoke the naturalistic landscapes for which van Eyck was renowned, grounding the sacred narrative in a believable, earthly setting.

This integration of the sacred and the natural was a hallmark of the Northern Renaissance. By placing Saint Barbara within a recognizable landscape, van Eyck humanizes her story, making it accessible to contemporary viewers while retaining its spiritual resonance.

Comparison to The Arnolfini Portrait

When compared to The Arnolfini Portrait, Saint Barbara offers a more subdued and meditative experience. While the former is celebrated for its rich symbolism, vibrant colors, and lifelike textures, the latter draws attention to the foundational elements of van Eyck’s artistry. Both works, however, reveal his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to imbue his subjects with a sense of presence and dignity.

The Arnolfini Portrait invites speculation about its hidden meanings and the social dynamics it portrays, whereas Saint Barbara focuses on a singular narrative of faith and martyrdom. The contrast between these works highlights van Eyck’s versatility as an artist, capable of capturing both the intimate complexities of human relationships and the transcendent themes of religious devotion.

The Cultural Context of Saint Barbara

During the 15th century, religious art played a central role in European society, serving as a means of instruction, devotion, and inspiration. Panels like Saint Barbara were often commissioned by wealthy patrons for private chapels or altarpieces, reflecting both their piety and their social status. Van Eyck’s ability to balance spiritual themes with artistic innovation made him one of the most sought-after painters of his time.

The unfinished nature of Saint Barbara raises questions about its intended purpose and why it was left incomplete. Some scholars speculate that it was a preparatory work for a larger altarpiece, while others suggest it may have been abandoned due to a change in the patron’s plans or van Eyck’s own priorities. Regardless of its original intent, the piece provides invaluable insight into the creative process of one of history’s greatest artists.

The Enduring Appeal of Saint Barbara

Although Saint Barbara lacks the widespread fame of The Arnolfini Portrait, it holds a special place in the history of art for its unique combination of technical skill and symbolic depth. Its unfinished state invites viewers to engage with the work on multiple levels, from appreciating its artistic techniques to contemplating its spiritual themes. The depiction of Saint Barbara as a serene and steadfast figure amidst a scene of construction and transformation resonates with universal ideas of faith, perseverance, and the human capacity for resilience.

This painting also highlights van Eyck’s role in shaping the Northern Renaissance, where the boundaries between the sacred and the everyday were increasingly blurred. By grounding his religious subjects in detailed, naturalistic settings, van Eyck made spiritual narratives more relatable and immediate, a legacy that continues to influence art to this day.

A Rare Glimpse Into Artistic Process

One of the most fascinating aspects of Saint Barbara is the way it reveals van Eyck’s approach to composition and detail. The silverpoint underdrawing, visible in its unfinished state, provides a rare glimpse into the planning and precision that underpinned his masterpieces. Each line, from the folds of Saint Barbara’s robes to the architectural features of the tower, reflects van Eyck’s commitment to capturing the world with accuracy and grace.

This unfinished quality also lends the work a sense of intimacy, as though viewers are being invited into the artist’s studio to witness the genesis of his vision. In this way, Saint Barbara offers a unique perspective on van Eyck’s genius, complementing his more polished works and enriching our understanding of his legacy.

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The Setting: A Space for Creativity and Reflection

The gallery, with its serene ambiance and thoughtfully curated displays, felt like stepping into a sanctuary of artistic excellence. Each piece was positioned to allow for ample viewing angles, inviting viewers to observe the intricate details and forms from different perspectives. The atmosphere was quiet yet vibrant, filled with an unspoken dialogue between the works and their admirers.

The sculptures ranged from classical to contemporary, offering a diverse visual and intellectual feast. The juxtaposition of polished marble, rough-hewn stone, and modern materials such as steel and resin highlighted the evolution of sculpture as an art form. Whether rooted in mythology, inspired by nature, or abstract in expression, every piece had a story waiting to be deciphered.

The Timeless Allure of Classical Sculptures

Walking through the section devoted to classical sculptures, the aura of antiquity was palpable. These works were not merely decorative but steeped in cultural and historical significance. The skillful chiseling of marble to recreate lifelike forms demonstrated the mastery of ancient artists. Figures of gods, heroes, and philosophers exuded a sense of power and wisdom, connecting the viewer to the values and ideals of their time.

One striking piece was a replica of Laocoön and His Sons, an iconic Hellenistic sculpture depicting the tragic tale of the Trojan priest and his sons being attacked by serpents. The intensity of their struggle was captured in the twisting forms and anguished expressions, serving as a timeless reminder of human resilience in the face of adversity.

The Emotional Power of Modern Sculptures

In contrast to the precision of classical works, the modern sculptures in the gallery embraced abstraction, experimentation, and emotional depth. This section showcased the boundless creativity of contemporary artists, who use unconventional materials and forms to challenge perceptions and evoke complex feelings.

One particularly moving piece was a towering installation constructed from reclaimed metal, resembling a tree with branches reaching skyward. The raw textures and asymmetry conveyed a sense of fragility and hope, a testament to humanity’s relationship with nature. Another standout was a series of minimalist stone sculptures arranged in a spiral, encouraging viewers to walk through and experience the subtle shifts in space and balance.

Sculpture as a Reflection of Culture

Throughout history, sculpture has served as a mirror to society, reflecting its beliefs, struggles, and aspirations. In the gallery, thematic sections highlighted this role, grouping works by cultural significance. From African tribal masks to Asian Buddhist statues, these pieces represented a global tapestry of traditions and philosophies.

The gallery also featured a powerful collection of sculptures addressing social issues, including war, displacement, and identity. These thought-provoking works reminded viewers of art’s ability to inspire dialogue and foster empathy. A bronze sculpture depicting a mother cradling her child amidst ruins stood out for its raw depiction of love and perseverance in the face of destruction.

The Craft Behind the Art

One of the most fascinating aspects of sculpture is the craftsmanship involved in its creation. The gallery offered glimpses into the process through informative plaques and multimedia exhibits. Videos showed artists at work, chiseling, welding, and molding their visions into reality. It was a humbling reminder of the physical labor and technical skill required to transform raw materials into masterpieces.

The tactile quality of sculptures sets them apart from other art forms, inviting an almost instinctive urge to reach out and feel the textures. While touching the exhibits was, of course, prohibited, the gallery provided smaller replicas for this purpose, enhancing the sensory experience.

The Interplay of Light and Space

Lighting played a crucial role in the gallery, enhancing the sculptures’ visual impact. Subtle spotlights and natural light streaming through skylights created dynamic interactions of shadows and highlights. The play of light on the sculptures emphasized their textures and contours, bringing them to life in unexpected ways.

The spatial arrangement was equally impressive. Some sculptures were displayed against minimalist backdrops to emphasize their form, while others were set within thematic environments that added narrative depth. For example, a serene garden courtyard housed a collection of stone and bronze figures, creating a harmonious blend of art and nature.

The Resonance of Art Beyond the Gallery

A sculpture gallery visit doesn’t end at the gallery doors; its impact resonates far beyond. These works of art inspire reflection on the complexities of the human experience and the enduring pursuit of beauty. They also encourage connections with other disciplines, highlighting the interplay between creativity, innovation, and the passage of time.

Just as sculptures immortalize moments in stone or metal, modern technologies like aviation and radar systems capture fleeting moments in motion. The same sense of awe and precision that defines great art is mirrored in the innovation of tools like flight tracking, where data transforms into a dynamic visual experience. These parallels remind us that art and technology are not separate domains but complementary expressions of human ingenuity.

Conclusion: A Celebration of Timeless Art

A visit to a sculpture gallery is more than an aesthetic experience; it’s a journey through history, culture, and emotion. The timelessness of sculpture lies in its ability to transcend eras, connecting viewers to universal themes while celebrating the individuality of each artist’s vision. From classical to contemporary, every piece in the gallery invited contemplation and admiration, leaving a lasting impression of art’s profound capacity to move and inspire.

This exploration of timeless art serves as a testament to humanity’s unyielding desire to create and connect. Whether through the chiseling of marble or the innovation of technology, we continue to reach for meaning, bridging the ancient and the modern in our pursuit of understanding.

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The Top 5 Art Galleries in Europe

The Louvre, Paris 

Located in the heart of the French capital, The Louvre is one of the most iconic and celebrated art galleries in the world. The museum is home to over 38,000 works of art, with the most famous being Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and The Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David. It also has a large collection of Egyptian antiquities, Greek sculptures, and paintings from the Middle Ages and beyond.

The Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

Located in the heart of the city, this renowned museum houses the largest collection of Van Gogh’s art in the world. Its permanent assortment encompasses over 200 paintings, 400 drawings, and 700 letters written by Van Gogh himself (He wrote most of them to his brother Theo). The museum’s galleries are organized chronologically so that visitors can explore the development of his style over time. Here, visitors can find some of his earliest paintings, as well as some of his last works.

National Portrait Gallery, London

The National Portrait Gallery in London is one of the top-ranking art galleries in Europe. The gallery houses a collection of over 215,000 portraits of significant historical figures, from the eighth century until the present. The portraits include those of many famous writers, artists, politicians, scientists, actors, and musicians.

The National Portrait Gallery is renowned for its interactive displays and activities, allowing visitors to delve deeper into the lives of its many illustrious subjects. Through its impressive collection, the gallery gives insight into Britain’s rich history and culture. The gallery also plays host to an array of special exhibitions throughout the year, showcasing different aspects of British history and culture.

Musee d’Orsay, Paris

This gallery features some of the world’s most famous works of art by artists such as Monet, Cezanne, Van Gogh, and Manet. The museum offers an amazing selection of 19th-century art. With about 3,000 works of art on display, visitors can get an in-depth look at the culture and art of the time. The museum also has an impressive permanent collection that includes sculptures, medals, photographs, and drawings, as well as decorative arts, graphic arts, and pastels.

The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Founded in 1800, the museum boasts an extensive collection of artwork, including many masterpieces from Dutch Golden Age painters such as Rembrandt, Johannes Vermeer, and Frans Hals. The museum also houses a selection of furniture, sculptures, fashion, and other historical artifacts, with an emphasis on Dutch culture and its history. The permanent exhibitions at the Rijksmuseum are divided into several categories: Cameos, archaeology of the Netherlands, sculptures of Ancient Greece, Egypt, and the Roman Empire, and a dazzling light show that represents the history of the museum.

FAQs

• What is the largest art gallery in Europe?

The Louvre in Paris, France, has almost 73,000 square meters of display space, making it the biggest museum in the world. Besides, this vast collection spans over 38,000 pieces, ranging from ancient artifacts to modern masterpieces. Other notable art galleries in Europe include the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain, and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. Each of these iconic galleries offers a unique glimpse into the culture and history of their respective countries and is well worth visiting.

• What is the largest modern art gallery in Europe?

The largest modern art gallery in Europe is the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France. This modern art gallery is a unique structure that houses the largest collection of modern art in Europe. It was designed by the architectural team of Renzo Piano, Richard Rogers, Su Rogers, and Gianfranco Franchini, and was opened in 1977. The building features a distinctive architectural style, with its facades made of brightly colored tubes and glass panels. Inside, the Centre Pompidou houses a wide range of works, including pieces from renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Kandinsky, Matisse, Chagall, and Miró.

Thus, Europe is home to some of the world’s most incredible art galleries. From traditional museums to contemporary galleries, the continent has something for everyone when it comes to exploring the world of art. If you want to cultivate your love for art and get inspired, visit one of these fascinating art galleries.

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6 Top-Rated Museums and Art Galleries in Berlin

1. The Old Museum

This museum was founded by King – Friedrich Wilhelm III. There he placed royal works of art. Just imagine what exhibits are displayed there – statues, architectural details, bas-reliefs, mosaic panels and portraits, vases, articles of bronze, ivory terracotta, ancient coins, and jewelry made of precious metals and stones. 

2. The New Museum

Museum Island is the cultural center of Berlin. Within the walls of the New Museum are exhibited a variety of cultural treasures, which are invaluable legacies of many ancient peoples (Middle East, Africa, Scandinavia). There is a legendary bust of Nefertiti, a Neanderthal skull, and many other unique pieces. Construction of the museum lasted from 1843 to 1855.

3. Jewish Museum

The author and founder of this museum is Daniel Libeskind. The exhibition focuses on three main themes: Judaism and Jewish life, the irreparable consequences of the Holocaust, and post-war Jewish life in Germany. The roots of the museum go back to 1933 when the first museum dedicated to Jewish culture was opened. But in 1938, all the works of art were confiscated by Hitler. When visiting the museum, everyone gets the impression of being withdrawn and confined, which is the main idea.

4. The New National Gallery

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created a unique glass building. This gallery continues the tradition of the Dalem. Here you can find a huge variety of art objects on display – paintings by French Impressionists, American artists, German creators, and even Picasso, Ernst, and the works of such American artists as Barnett Newman.

5. Berlin Art Gallery

Germany’s most important art museum! On the walls of this gallery are works of artists from the 13th to 15th centuries. Here you can see five Madonnas by Raphael, and paintings by Titian and Botticelli. It’s a true paradise for lovers of high art – 15 paintings by Rembrandt! This gallery is the number 1 point on your visiting list.

6. C/O Berlin

Dedicated to photography lovers! If you like “living pictures” created with modern technology – you should definitely visit this place. The works of the best photographers from all over the world are exhibited here, and the repertoire of the exhibition is constantly updated. Everyone can find a photo to their heart’s desire. Robert Mapplethorpe, Annie Leibovitz, and Peter Lindbergh have all exhibited here.

Which places provide the best-hidden gems for art museums in Berlin?

Many people think there’s nowhere to go in Berlin – it’s widely believed that the best art galleries are only in France and Italy. That’s absolutely not true! There are more than 200 museums of all kinds.

For example, in the Lipstick Museum, you can look at the evolution of cosmetics – in the exhibition you can see the lipstick of the Baroque era and the present. And in the Old Museum, it is interesting to see the Antique collection: weapons, sculptures, gold and silver jewelry from the collection of ancient Greek art in the period from the Cycladic to the ancient Roman era.

Or Charlottenburg Palace – walking through the palace, you will see the personal chambers of the king and queen, the library, and other rooms that amaze the imagination. Luxurious chandeliers, crystal and porcelain dishes, mirrors, and even the crown were used during the coronation of the first Prussian king, the snuffbox of Frederick the Great!

Conclusion

Berlin is an incredible city. There are so many interesting, exciting places to visit. In Berlin, you can discover all kinds of art – from paintings to photography, from ancient coins to antique sculptures. There are so many museums to visit that it would take at least a week to see all the important sites!

Real art lovers will appreciate Berlin! Bon voyage!

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The Palazzo del Esposizioni was built for the halls of the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome, but it was catastrophically short of space for the collections, which forced the organizers of the exhibitions to constantly create temporary exhibitions, and this caused serious inconvenience.

Exhibits of the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome
The collections of the National Gallery were regularly replenished, for 20 years we constantly had to find ways to place paintings and sculptures in the small halls of the National Gallery of Rome. 1911 brought to Rome Villa Borghese (near the Etruscan Museum), the premises of which housed all the jewels of the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome. The city commissioned Cesare Buzzani, Italy’s foremost architect, to erect the pinacotheca. At the present time the gallery welcomes guests with fifty-five rooms, in which an amazing collection of masterpieces of the contemporaries is collected.

The National Gallery of Rome features many works:

“Dreams.”
“Three Ages of Woman” by Gustav Klimt (fifth year of the twentieth century). The canvas, showing women of different ages, symbolically tells the viewer about the cycle of life. The painting, with the image of women in the center, is in the tradition of Klimt.
In the hall of the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome, one can admire Vincent Van Gogh’s The Arlesian (1890). Van Gogh’s portrait of a woman, done in his usual manner, is a late version of the 1888 painting, only on this canvas from the National Gallery of Rome the lady looks much older.
“Dreams,” by Vittorio Corkos (ninety-sixth year of the 19th century). A painting depicting Elena Vecchi, the daughter of a friend of the artist. The incredibly stylish portrait, painted in Florence, is now in the hall of the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome.
“Lilies” by Claude Monet (1898) can also be seen here. Painted in oil, the water lily is one of those created by the master in 1898.
In the National Gallery, there is excitement around “Hercules and Lichas” by Antonio Canova (he began sculpting in 1795 and finished only 20 years later). The sculptor was inspired by the antique work “Hercules of Farnesia”.

The gallery displays works by the great masters of art to date, among them masterpieces:

Paul Cézanne
Giorgio De Chirico
Marcel Duchamp
Gustav Klimt
Amedeo Modigliani
Van Gogh
Sophie Riestelhuber
David Rivalt

It’s hard to list all the names. The title of the exhibition is Time Is Out of Joint, the words from Shakespeare’s Hamlet symbolizing the theme that unites the exhibited masterpieces.

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The Centre Georges Pompidou is a mixture of architectural styles
In 1969, the first year of his presidential term, Georges Pompidou set out to modernize the country technically, and as a great lover of art, he decided to create a cultural center on a vacant lot in the Beaubourg district. A competition was immediately announced for the architectural design of the building, with 681 entries from 50 countries.

An international jury selected the project of three young architects: Renzo Piano, Gianfranco Franchini and Richard Rogers. The project was to construct a glass building in the form of a parallelepiped with escalators and some constructions and elements to be placed outside, thus increasing the exhibition area. During the construction they decided to paint the exterior pipes, cables and wires in different colors: red, yellow, green, blue and white depending on their function. There are 3 architectural styles in the exterior of the complex: brutalism, structural expressionism and postmodernist architecture.

The official opening ceremony was held on January 31, 1977. A bold architectural decision has caused a lot of negative criticism because the building of the Centre Pompidou is very different from the rest of the architecture of the quarter, and its size is just huge for the center of Paris: the length – 166 m, width – 60 m, height – 42 m.

Despite mixed reviews by contemporaries, the Georges Pompidou Center has become one of the trademarks of Paris and is the third most visited attraction in Paris after the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.

What to see at the Centre Pompidou in Paris
The Pompidou National Center for Arts and Culture is popular not only for its exhibitions. There are cinemas, concert venues, a theater, a library, as well as the Museum of Modern Art, the Industrial Design Center and the Institute for Research and Coordination of Acoustics and Music.

The large square in front of the complex is buzzing with life day and night. Street artists, mimes, musicians, artists and passersby gather here to watch an interesting performance. Spectators of this fun are seated right on the pavement.

Museum of Modern Art
The State Museum of Modern Art contains a collection of 60,000 exhibits in painting, design, architecture, photography, installation, video and multimedia. There are permanent and temporary exhibitions.

In addition to contemporaries, the museum contains works by famous twentieth-century painters such as Kandinsky, Modigliani, Matisse and Picasso.

Public Library
The library occupies three floors of the Centre Pompidou and houses a vast collection of fiction, academic and technical literature. In addition to printed material, you can find videos and audio recordings here. Admission to the library is free.

Exhibitions
The view of the Pompidou Center from the outside is in harmony with the installations exhibited inside. In the exhibition halls, you can see compositions made from a variety of materials, from glass and wood to plastic and fabric. Here you can come across scattered clothes or colorful giant posters depicting human organs. Exhibits change frequently and you never know what the museum will surprise you with next.

Stravinsky Fountain
Between the Centre Pompidou and the church of Saint-Merry is the square of Igor Stravinsky. To decorate the square somehow, Swiss architect Jean Tinguely created in 1983 a pool with 16 sculpture-mobiles on its surface. The brightly colored figures move through the water to the best music of Stravinsky, releasing jets of water. This extravagant structure, called the Stravinsky Fountain, so beloved by Parisians and tourists, is already part of the Pompidou Art Center.

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Interesting facts about the museum
The museum in Bilbao is the third foreign branch of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (New York, USA). Two more are open in Venice and Abu Dhabi.
The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is annually ranked among the most visited museums in Spain.
The museum has an area of 24,000 square meters, of which 10,540 square meters are used as exhibition spaces, divided into 19 galleries.
The museum was “filmed” in Bondiana, the 1999 film “And the whole world is not enough. By the way, the Guggenheim Museum in New York is also loved by directors: for example, some episodes of “Men in Black” were made there.

Historical background
Negotiations to build a museum in Bilbao were initiated by the Guggenheim Foundation with the city government in 1991. Six years later, in October 1997, the new museum opened its doors to the public. The importance of the project for Spain is shown by the fact that the opening ceremony was attended by King Juan Carlos I and his wife Queen Sofia.

The new cultural center greatly improved the image of the city and brought considerable profit to the treasury, while the museum itself was included in the list of must-see places in Spain.

Nevertheless, during the construction phase the Guggenheim Museum was criticized. In particular, many condemned the too high cost of the project (which, however, in 2013 had already paid for itself 37 times over). The famous Basque sculptor Jorge Otejsa even called the building a “cheese factory” and promised that he would never exhibit within its walls. However, he quickly changed his mind, and now his work is part of the museum’s permanent collection.

“The greatest building of our time.”
This is what the American architect Philip Johnson called the museum in Bilbao. The avant-garde building with complex geometry, built of limestone, titanium and glass, was designed by the brilliant Canadian architect Frank Gehry, the founding father of deconstructivism.

Gehry played on the maritime theme, thus paying tribute to the port of Bilbao, the largest in the country: the building itself resembles a ship (although many call it a spaceship), “sailing” on the waters of the river Nervión, and the panelling made of titanium plates looks like fish scales. In these scales, sunlight is repeatedly reflected and crushed.

The museum’s 55-meter-high central glass atrium is Gehry’s tribute to American pioneering architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the creator of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York.

At the forefront of art
Louise Bourgeois’ giant spider looks especially creepy in the fogThe Guggenheim Museum’s wall changes color depending on which flowers in the composition are in bloom and which are wilted

The basis of the museum’s collection – contemporary art, ranging from the mid-20th century to the present day. One can see works by such masters as Andy Warhol, Mark Rothko, Gerhard Richter, Willem de Kooning and James Rosenquist. Naturally, the museum also features contemporary Spanish artists: Eduardo Chillida, Jorge Oteiza, Antonio Saura, Juan Muñoz.

In order to maintain the status of Spain’s most avant-garde museum, it is not enough to exhibit avant-gardists, you need to use fundamentally different forms of presentation. This is why the Guggenheim Museum has a lot of interactive works that visitors can “interact” with, and of course a lot of video art and installations.

All this does not mean that the museum in Bilbao is of interest only to fans of contemporary art. In recent years, temporary exhibitions of masters whose genius has stood the test of time have been held here quite often. For example, the museum has shown drawings by Michelangelo, engravings by Dürer and works from the collection of the State Hermitage Museum.

Perhaps the museum’s two most famous exhibits, due to their size, are not on display inside the building, but in front of it. These are a huge metal spider by American Louise Bourgeois and a 13-meter-long puppy by American artist Jeff Koons made of fresh flowers.

Temporary Exhibits
The museum’s enormous floor space becomes a problem for those visitors who want to see the best of everything at once. That’s why the Guggenheim Museum’s Masterpieces exhibition, which will be open through April 3, 2016, is the perfect way to experience icons of contemporary art. On display are works by Mark Rothko, Yves Klein, Robert Rauschenberg, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Clifford Still and Anselm Kiefer. There’s also the famous diptych “Marilyn Monroe” by the king of pop art, Andy Warhol.

But the atypical Warhol is on display at the Guggenheim Museum until October 2. The exhibition “Shadows” consists of 102 canvases, which the great American created with the help of sponge and paint from photographs of shadows of real objects.

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The Tate Modern is located in the former Bankside Power Station, which was originally designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, architect of Battersea Power Station, and built in two phases between 1947 and 1963. It is directly across the river from St. Paul’s Cathedral. The power plant closed in 1981.

Prior to redevelopment, the power station was a 200 m (660 ft) long, steel framed, brick clad building with a substantial central chimney standing 99 m (325 ft). The structure was conventionally divided into three main directions each east to west – the huge main turbine hall in the center, with the boiler room to the north and the switch house to the south.

For years after Bankside Power Station closed, it was in danger of being demolished by developers. Many people advocated for the building to be preserved and put forward suggestions for possible new uses. An application to list the building was denied. In April 1994 the Tate Gallery announced that Bankside would be home to the new Tate Modern. In July of that year, an international competition was launched to select an architect for the new gallery. Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meron of Herzog & de Meron were announced as the winning architects in January 1995 the conversion to the Tate Modern £134000000 began in June 1995 and was completed in January 2000.

The most obvious exterior change was the extension of the glass two floors to one half of the roof. Much of the original internal structure remained, including the cavernous main turbine hall, which retained the overhead crane. The electrical substation, occupying the house switch in the southern third of the building, remained in place and is owned by French energy company EDF Energy, while the Tate took on the north boiler room for the main exhibition spaces of the Tate Modern in.

Tate Modern got 5.25 million visitors in its first year. Last year, the three existing Tate galleries got 2.5 million visitors combined.

The Tate Modern has attracted more visitors than originally expected and plans to expand this has been in preparation since 2004 these plans have focused on the south west of the building with the aim of providing 5,000m2 of new display space, almost double the amount of display space,

The collections at the Tate Modern consist of works of international modern and contemporary art from 1900 to the present day.

Levels 2, 3 and 4 contain gallery space. Each of these floors is divided into large east and west wings, with at least 11 rooms in each. The space between these wings is also used for smaller galleries on levels 2 and 4. The boiler room shows art from 1900 to the present day.

The Commuter House has eleven floors, numbered from 0 to 10. Levels 0, 2, 3 and 4 contain gallery space. Level 0 consists of tanks, spaces converted from the original oil fuel tanks of the power plant, while all other levels are located in the tower expansion building built above them. The Commuter House shows art from 1960 to the present day.

The turbine hall is one large space running the entire length of the building between the boiler room and the switch house. At six stories high it represents the full height of the original power plant building. It is cut by bridges between the boiler room and the switch house on levels 1 and 4, but the space is otherwise indivisible. The west end consists of a gentle ramp down from the entrance and provides access to both sides on Level 0. The east end provides a very large space that can be used to display exceptionally large works of art because of its unusual height.

Exhibitions:
The main displays of the collection consist of 8 areas with the name of the theme or object. In each area there are several rooms that change periodically showing different works in accordance to the general theme or subject. The themes change less frequently. There is no charge reception in these areas.

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It’s the world’s first and best known modern art museum.

Subsequently, the idea of similar museums spread to other capitals around the world.

The fact that today the museum is located near the Rockefeller Center is no accident; the fact is that in 1928 it was created by the Rockefeller family.

Originally MoMA was housed in several rooms of a regular office building.

In 2004, after moving to a new building, the museum opened its doors at its current location, in a building specially designed by Japanese architect Yoshi Taniguchi, which itself is an undeniable masterpiece of contemporary art.

The best way to begin your acquaintance with the New York Museum of Modern Art, as with the Guggenheim Museum, is to start from the top floors.

On the top floor of the Museum of Modern Art of New York temporary rotating exhibitions are held, further on the 5th floor the museum houses extensive collections of sculpture and painting, where works of the famous modern post-impressionists prevail, such as paintings of Cézanne.

Then there are works by artists of other trends – Rousseau, Gauguin, Kandinsky, Lissitzky, Miró, Duchamp. Among the most famous and unique canvases in the collection of the MoMA is Van Gogh’s “Starry Night”, Picasso’s “Girls of Avignon”, Malevich’s “White on white”. Separately it should be noted that here in New York, the Museum of Modern Art has the world’s best collection of works by Picasso.

Below is the fourth floor of the Museum of Modern Art New York, the best way to get there is not by elevator but by stairs, because in this case you will see the famous sculpture by Matisse “Dance”. The entire fourth floor is occupied with works from the 40s and 70s (both paintings and sculptures).

In my opinion, this is one of the most interesting rooms. It has abstractionist, expressionist, minimalist, and pop art paintings.

There are a lot of the most famous works of Andy Warhol and Rothko, who lived and worked in the United States but was born in Russia.

The third floor of the MoMA is devoted to the art of architecture, with drawings, models, photographs, as well as furniture of the most amazing architects of the world – Gaudi, Van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright.

On the second floor are several galleries of contemporary artists, with constantly changing exhibitions. It also features the work of Ilya Kabakov, another Russian American.

One of the most visited galleries at the Museum of Modern Art New York during the warmer months is the sculpture garden, located in the building’s atrium, outdoors. Here is the famous “Goat” by Picasso. And also a part of Paris – the entrance to the Paris Metro, the creation of Guimard.

MoMA building has two underground floors, which are fully occupied by theaters, the price of your admission tickets includes viewing any session, it is a matter of chance, it may be a historical or documentary film.

The Modern Art Museum of New York also has a very popular restaurant – The Modern and a souvenir store, where many visitors get something original to remember their visit to this amazing place.

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Like almost any modern museum, you have to start from the outside to see the Soumaya: the building, which houses the collection, looks like a skewed hourglass, lined with either steel bee honeycomb or snake scales. Remarkably, there is not a single window in the building.

In addition to an extensive collection of works by contemporary (including Spanish and Mexican) artists, the museum holds a good selection of earlier works, in particular paintings by the French Impressionists.

It features the personal collection of Carlos Slim, the museum’s owner, and his late wife, Sumaya, after whom it was named.

The museum has a collection of more than 66,000 works of art by such great artists as Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and Leonardo Da Vinci. Most of the exhibits belong to the European culture of the XV-XX centuries. There is also the world’s largest collection of colonial-era coins.

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