Europe is rich in art from different eras and periods. In Rome and Athens, you can find antiquities, in France and Germany you can marvel at magnificent buildings such as medieval cathedrals, and there are countless cities offering modern art. This article highlights three special cities for art lovers and presents them in more detail: Vienna, Amsterdam, and Florence.
The Austrian capital is a paradise for art lovers. On the one hand, the collections are extensive and varied, and on the other hand, the museum buildings themselves are often eye-catching. The magnificent halls of the Kunsthistorisches Museum host temporary exhibitions on a wide variety of topics. And many of the Habsburg collections are also on display there, such as the old coin collection.
Not far away, the Albertina houses one of the world’s largest collections of graphic art, renowned for its treasures by Picasso and Dürer. If that’s still not modern enough for you, you can check out Klimt’s famous “Kiss” (as well as countless other paintings by him) at the Belvedere Palace.
What makes Vienna so special as a city for art lovers is not only the collection itself, but also the places where it is presented.
Florence is the undisputed center of Renaissance art. A visit to the Uffizi Gallery allows you to see Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus” and Leonardo da Vinci’s early works. In the Academia, Michelangelo’s giant “David” stands in such a position that visitors can walk around the artwork and admire its details from every angle.
Those who want to delve deeper into art history should not miss the Medici Chapels. These served to represent the power and prosperity of the former ruling family. As a whole, including the city’s magnificent cathedral, Florence is an open book of art and history.
Those who love modern art will find Amsterdam the perfect place. The city’s various muses combine historical elements of painting with contemporary art. The Rijksmuseum is home to impressive works by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Frans Hals, including Rembrandt’s famous “Night Watch”. At the Van Gogh Museum, you can see over 200 paintings and 100 drawings by the artist, allowing you to follow his creative process, as well as learn about Van Gogh’s moving life story.
If you’re interested in contemporary art, the Stedelijk Museum is the place to visit. From Mondrian and De Stijl to Bauhaus and modern installations, it is home of the modern avant-garde.
This list only includes the major galleries and museums in all three cities. However, strolling through the city often leads to the discovery of smaller galleries. Check it out and let you inspire by these cities for art lovers.
