St. Louis Art Museum: A fantastic - and free - city spot
Many major cities can claim a world-class art museum, but few can offer it at the attractive year-round admission price of absolutely free. The St. Louis Art Museum includes stellar collections from throughout history, all housed in a beautiful building which is a work of art itself.
Originally founded in downtown St. Louis in 1879 as a branch of nearby Washington University, the museum was later moved to its current Forest Park location following the 1904 World’s Fair. Designed by famed architect Cass Gilbert, the majestic Beaux-Arts structure is the only remaining building from the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.
The museum contains more than 30,000 works of art, including European and American art of the 19th and 20th centuries, along with strong Oceanic, pre-Columbian and Chinese art collections. The Early European collection comprises medieval and Old Master works, including a Titian masterpiece and a marble Pan made in Michelangelo’s workshop.
The collection of Ancient art includes the mummy Amen-Nestawy-Nakht contained in his painted plaster case. Egyptian stone vessels from 3000 B.C., stone reliefs from Assyria and Persia, and a 2nd century Roman marble portrait of a young man are also highlights.
The Pre-Columbian collection includes Mayan pottery, a Huari feathered mantle and an Aztec wooden sculpture of the goddess of water. The Asian art collection features an early Buddhist sculpture, ceramics and Chinese calligraphy and painting.
The Contemporary art collection features works by Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Roy Lichtenstein. The Modern art collection, one of the museum’s largest and most distinguished, includes works by Manet, Cezanne, Monet, Degas, Gauguin and van Gogh. The 20th century galleries feature famed artists like Kandinsky, Matisse, Mondrian, Picasso and Chagall.
The museum also offers a research library, special events, education programming and a rotating array of wonderful featured exhibitions. Admission to special exhibits varies, but is free to the public on Fridays.
With incredible collections, spacious galleries, a beautiful setting and free price tag, the St. Louis Art Museum is a terrific way to spend a culture-filled day. Bring a picnic to enjoy in Forest Park, and it’s a perfect – and inexpensive – afternoon in the city.
- by D.J. Siegel, Saint Louis Reporter for HelloMetro
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