Art Institute of Chicago
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History
The Art Institute of Chicago was first founded in 1879, and was originally named the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. In 1893, the museum moved to its present location on Michigan Avenue, in a building that was originally constructed for the World’s Columbian Exposition
, a world’s fair held in Chicago that same year. Between 2006 and 2009, a new wing was added
to the museum in order to hold notable collections of 20th and 21st century artwork, specifically modern art,
contemporary art, and photography.
Highlights
There are thousands of works of art to see within the walls of the Art Institute of Chicago, but some are more famous than others. Its Impressionist collection features over 30 works by renowned artist Claude Monet, including several of his
famous Water Lilies paintings. Other important pieces include Two Sisters (On the Terrace) by
Renoir, The Basket of Apples by Cézanne, At the Moulin Rouge by
Toulouse-Lautrec, Bedroom in Arles by van Gogh, and A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of
La Grande Jatte, one of the most famous pointillist pieces by Georges Seurat .Art lovers will also want to make sure to see important American works such as American Gothic by Grant Wood, The Child’s Bath by Mary Cassatt, and Nighthawks, which is arguably the most famous painting ever created by artist Edward Hopper, which depicts customers in a diner.
Collections
The museum contains over a dozen collections of artwork that you can peruse during your visit, including pieces from Africa and Asia, European decorative arts, textiles, and architecture exhibits.Department of American Art
One of the museum’s most famous collections, it contains thousands of paintings, sculptures, and decorative art objects from the 17th century to the present, featuring works by artists like Georgia O’Keeffe, Edward Hopper, Grant Wood, James McNeill Whistler, Diego Rivera, and Winslow Homer.African Collection
You can explore fascinating works of art from countries throughout Africa in this collection, including textiles, sculptures, furniture, ceremonial masks, and beadwork.European Painting and Sculpture Collection
The Art Institute is known for having one of the finest collections of European paintings in the world. Its highlights include rare 15th century paintings from Spain, Italy, and northern Europe, as well as major works from the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art movements.Modern Art Collection
Famous pieces that belong to this comprehensive modern art collection include Old Guitarist by Picasso, Time Transfixed by Magritte, Bathers by a River by Matisse, and Golden Bird by Brâncuși.Thorne Miniature Rooms
One of the museum’s most fascinating exhibits are the 68 Thorne Miniature Rooms, a collection of scale models created in the 1930s that feature miniature versions of various architectural and furniture styles from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century.Department of Architecture and Design
If you’re interested in seeing works by famous architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier, you’ll want to explore this modern department.Department of Textiles
This collection includes fascinating artifacts such as European tapestries, 16th century English needlework, American quilts, pre-Columbian textiles, and 20th century fiber arts.Photography Collection
Art lovers will be enthralled by this wonderful collection of photography from 1839 to the present, which features works by famous photographers like Edward Weston, Eugéne Atget, and Paul Strand.Practical Information
Due to its location in the heart of downtown Chicago, it is easy to reach the Art Institute on foot or by bike. If you want to rent a bike for the day, you can use Divvy, Chicago’s bike-sharing service, which has stations located throughout the city.By train: The nearest ‘L’ train station is Adams/Wabash, which is accessible from Brown, Purple, Pink, Green, and Orange Line trains. Another nearby stop is Monroe, which is serviced by Red and Blue Line trains. The closest Metra commuter train stations are Van Buren and Millennium, which are both only a couple of blocks from the museum along Michigan Avenue.
Address: 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
Hours: The Art Institute of Chicago is open daily from 10:30 until 17:00, with extended hours until 20:00 each Thursday.
Prices: General admission to the museum costs approximately $ 23 USD for adults, $ 17 USD for students and seniors, and is free for children under 14.
Similar Attractions
There are several other notable art museums in the United States, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City, as well as the nearby Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago.Do you see any omissions, errors or want to add information to this page? Sign up.
Author: ehuttner. Last updated: Apr 22, 2015
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