Are you stuck at home and getting tired of watching Netflix? Why not try to go on a virtual tour to see some of the world’s most excellent art museums right from your couch? Virtual museum tours are a great way to be able to see some of the best art in the world without having to travel there.
Many of the world’s great art museums and galleries offer virtual tours of their museum or part of the museum. This is a great way to be able to see many of the world’s finest art museums right from the comfort of your home. Or, if you are planning to visit these museums take a virtual tour ahead of time is a great way to plan your visit.
Table of Contents
- Explore 11 Free Virtual Art Museum Tours from Your Home
- The Louvre – Paris, France
- J. Paul Getty Museum – Los Angeles, California, USA
- The Sistine Chapel – Vatican City, Italy.
- The Guggenheim Museum – New York City, USA
- The Van Gogh Museum – Amsterdam, Holland
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art – New York City, USA
- The Uffizi Gallery – Florence, Italy
- The Sao Paulo Museum of Art – Sao Paulo, Brazil
- The Musee d’Orsay – Paris, France
- The National Portrait Gallery – London
- The Frick Art Museum, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Questions
Explore 11 Free Virtual Art Museum Tours from Your Home
Looking for a change from the usual Netflix binge? Consider embarking on an adventure through the halls of the world’s most prestigious art museums, all from the comfort of your own home.
Virtual museum tours have become an invaluable resource, offering a cultural escape and the chance to experience some of the finest art collections globally. Numerous renowned art institutions have opened their virtual doors, allowing art enthusiasts to wander through their galleries without stepping foot outside.
This unique opportunity brings the world of art to your fingertips, making it easier than ever to immerse yourself in the beauty and history of extraordinary artworks.
Here are some of our favorite free virtual tours of some of the world’s greatest art museums. Many of these virtual tours are compliments of Google Arts & Culture. On the Google Arts & Culture site, you can find some fantastic virtual tours. You can learn more about these free virtual tours on the Google Arts & Culture site by clicking here.
The Louvre – Paris, France
The Louvre is the world’s largest art museum. It is also a historical monument in Paris, France. There are so many amazing collections throughout its approximately 72,500 square meters or 782,000 square feet. It is one of the most visited art museums in the world.
The halls of this museum have had many of the world’s greatest artists roaming its halls. That is just one reason why visiting the Lourve is such a great and fantastic experience But during their most popular months it can shoulder to shoulder groups of people trying to see the same thing all.
But now you can skip the crowds and visit the Louvre exhibitions virtually.
You can click here to learn more about virtually visiting the Louvre from your own home.
J. Paul Getty Museum – Los Angeles, California, USA
If you have ever driven north on the 405 from the Los Angeles Airport, you will find it perched on the side of a hill an amazing structure and building, the J. Paul Getty Museum.
The J. Paul Getty Museum houses various artworks, including European decorative arts, paintings, manuscripts, drawings, and sculptures. The museum boasts of having Greek, Etruscan, and Roman art from the Neolithic era to the Late Antiquity. There is also a fantastic collection of photographs from the 20th and 21st Centuries. This museum really has something for everyone.
You can take a virtual tour of the J. Paul Getty Museum by clicking here and then click on the explore button to see the inside of the museum.
The Sistine Chapel – Vatican City, Italy.
Though technically not a museum, we love this virtual tour of the Sistine Chapel. No need to travel to Italy to see this fantastic work by the great Michelangelo. Like many sites like this in Europe, when you actually go to Italy to see the chapel, if can be crowded with other visitors.
You can now tour the famous Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, Italy, from your home. You can see the renowned ceilings and “The Last Judgement” by the Renaissance-era painter Michelangelo.
You can take a tour of the Sistine Chapel from your home by clicking here.
The Guggenheim Museum – New York City, USA
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is located in New York City. It is the permanent home of a continuously expanding collection and an array of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Early Modern, and Contemporary art. They also have a lot of special exhibitions throughout the year.
The building is a work of art as it was designed by the iconic American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Over the last eight decades, the museum collections have continued to grow, which makes it one of the top art museums in the world. The Solomon R Guggenheim Museum has a great virtual tour of their contemporary art collection.
You can check out The Guggenheim Museum virtual tour by clicking here.
The Van Gogh Museum – Amsterdam, Holland
The Van Gogh Museum has the largest Van Gogh Collections in the world, with over 600 artworks and 700 letters. This museum is in Amsterdam. If you cannot travel there, you can view their virtual guided tours.
If you are a Van Gogh fan, like I am, this museum is a real treat because it has the most substantial collection of Van Gogh artwork. It is a museum that is so popular that it receives more visitors per day than any other museum in Amsterdam, Holland. You can forgo the crowds and take a virtual museum tour right from your living room.
To take a tour of the Van Gogh Museum you can click here.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art – New York City, USA
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or MET as it is known, is one of the largest art museums in the world. During normal times, the MET will receive millions of visitors each day; This makes it one of the most visited art museums in the entire world.
The MET has over two million artworks divided into 17 curatorial departments. If you are an art lover, this museum has everything you can imagine.
There is art from classical antiquity and ancient Egypt. There are paintings and sculptures from most of the European masters. They have an extensive collection of American and modern art.
The MET also has a lot of African, Asian, Oceanian, Byzantine, and Islamic art, including a lot of antique weapons and armor from around the world. If you want inspiration, this museum is an art lover’s dream.
Now, you can enjoy a virtual tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art from your home. You can find out more about the MET Virtual Tour by clicking here.
The Uffizi Gallery – Florence, Italy
The Uffizi Gallery is located in Florence, Italy. It is located in a magnificent building that was constructed between 1560 to 1580. It is a treat to just be able to go down the halls of the magnificent old building.
The virtual tour of the building will show you the art from the Middle Ages to the Modern period. You can view artworks of the art masters from Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Raphael.
Thanks to the Medici family, who immediately ruled Florence and parts of Tuscany from 1434 to 1737, the museum has some great ancient statues and busts from Roman duplicates that were never found.
You can sit back and take the virtual tour of the Uffizi Gallery by clicking here.
The Sao Paulo Museum of Art – Sao Paulo, Brazil
The Sao Paulo Museum of Art, Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo also known as MASP, is another world-class museum. The MASP is a landmark museum that Linda Bo Bardi designed. The museum is known for its important work in museology and art education in Brazil.
The museum is internationally recognized for its collection of European art. But this museum also has an impressive array of Brazilian, African and Asian Art. They have over 8,000 pieces and are the largest art library in Brazil.
You can take a virtual tour of The Sao Paulo Museum of Art by clicking here.
The Musee d’Orsay – Paris, France
The Musee d’Orsay is a museum in Paris, France. It is situated on the banks of the Seine River in Paris. It is in the house of the former Gare d’ Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station that was built between 1898 and 1900. This is now one of the largest art museums in Europe.
The museum has mainly French art dating between 1848 and 1914. It has paintings, sculptures, furniture, and photography. This museum has the most extensive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. Their art collections include Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoirs, Cezanne, Seurat, Sisley, Gauguin, and Van Gogh.
Now, you can visit The Musee d’Orsay virtually. Take their virtual tour by clicking here.
The National Portrait Gallery – London
The National Portrait Gallery is at St Martin’s Place just off Trafalgar Square in London, England. This gallery houses all the important portraits of important and famous British people throughout history.
If you are a fan of the Bronte sisters, you can find the portraits of Charlotte, Emily, and Anne in a painting by their brother, Patrick Bronte. There are even portraits believed to be of William Shakespeare. If you love British history and love portraits, this is a great museum to explore.
You can take the virtual tour of The National Portrait Gallery by clicking here.
The Frick Art Museum, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
The Frick Art Museum in part of The Frick Pittsburgh complex, which is a cluster of museums and historical buildings in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is the former home of Henry Clay Frick (1849-1919), an industrialist and art collector.
If you like European paintings and sculptures from the 1800s, you will love the Frick Art Museum. This collection includes work by artists such as Peter Paul Rubens, Apollonio Di Giovanni, Jan van Os, Carle Van Loo, Maurice Quentin de la Tour, Arthur Devis, Jean-Louis de Marne, and Jan Steen.
As an extra bonus, if you love old cars and carriages, you can also take a virtual tour of their old car collection.
To take a virtual tour of the Frick Museum and the Frick homes and gardens you can find out more by clicking here.
As an artist and art lover, it is a treat to visit an art museum inspired by all the great art masters. But now you can do all this from the couch of your own home. If you cannot personally travel to be inspired by these great art museums, using technology to take these virtual tours is the next best thing.
Anita Louise Art is dedicated to art education, great artists, and inspiring others to find and create their art. We love art that uplifts and inspires. #ArtToMakeYouSmile! #ArtToMakeYouHappy!
If you want to see any of my art, you can find out more by clicking here. If you are interested in what inspires me and my paintings, you can discover more by clicking here.
We have a free newsletter and would love you to be part of our community; you can subscribe to the newsletter by clicking here. If you have any questions, I would be happy to talk to you anytime. You can reach me, Anita, by clicking here.
Subscribe to our Anita Louise Art YouTube Channel with great videos and information by clicking here.
Join us for our podcast “5 Minutes With Art.”Spend 5 minutes a week with us to discover and learn about great art and artists. You can find out more about our podcast by clicking here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are virtual art museum tours, and how do they work?
Virtual art museum tours are online experiences that allow individuals to explore art collections and exhibitions from various museums without physically visiting them. These tours often use 360-degree panoramic technology or curated digital galleries to simulate the in-person museum experience.
How can virtual museum tours enhance the art appreciation experience?
Virtual museum tours provide an opportunity to view world-class art from the comfort of your home. They offer insights into the history and significance of artworks, enabling users to appreciate and understand the cultural context behind each piece.
Which art museums offer free virtual tours, and how can one access them?
Numerous renowned art museums worldwide offer free virtual tours. Accessing them is usually as simple as visiting the museum’s official website or utilizing dedicated virtual tour platforms.
Can virtual museum tours be enjoyed on various devices, such as smartphones and computers?
Yes, virtual museum tours are designed to be accessible on a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers. This ensures flexibility and convenience for users.
Are there advantages to taking a virtual tour before planning an in-person visit to a museum?
Absolutely. Virtual tours serve as a valuable tool for planning a physical visit. They allow visitors to familiarize themselves with the museum layout, highlight specific artworks of interest, and potentially save time during the actual visit.
What types of art can one expect to find on these virtual museum tours?
Virtual museum tours cover a broad spectrum of art, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, and various contemporary and traditional forms. Users can explore diverse collections ranging from classical to modern art.
Are there any interactive elements in virtual museum tours to engage users?
Some virtual museum tours incorporate interactive features such as zooming in on artworks, accessing additional information about the pieces, and even participating in virtual events or educational programs.
Can virtual museum tours accommodate group experiences, such as virtual tours with friends or family?
Yes, many virtual museum tours are designed to accommodate group experiences. Friends and family members can join the tour simultaneously, fostering shared exploration and discussions.
Are there any specific technological requirements for participating in virtual museum tours?
Generally, virtual museum tours only require a device with internet connectivity and a web browser. Advanced features, like VR experiences, may have additional hardware requirements.
How can virtual museum tours contribute to the democratization of art and cultural experiences?
Virtual museum tours break down geographical barriers, providing people from all over the world with access to renowned art collections. This democratization of art experiences promotes cultural exchange and appreciation on a global scale.
Related Questions
Who is Georgia O’Keeffe, The Mother of American Modernism Painting?
Georgia O’Keeffe was from Wisconsin but became one of America’s most iconic painters. She received a college education but had to leave due to her father’s untimely bankruptcy. When she was in school in New York, she met her future husband, the photographer and gallery owner Alfred Stieglitz. She is known for her many American Western subject matters and oversized flowers that she painted. She has a home and studio in the US state of New Mexico. She is one of the great artists that also has a museum dedicated to her artwork. You can visit her home in New Mexico and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
To find out more about Georgia O’Keeffe, you can read our blog entitled Georgia O’Keeffe, The Mother of American Modernism Painting by clicking here,
What is the American Gothic Painting by Grant Wood?
Grant Wood, the midwestern United States from the state of Iowa. His painting American Gothic has a Carpenter Gothic Style house with a stoic man with a pitchfork and women staring off to the side outside the house. The man is his dentist, and the woman is his sister. The painting received a 3rd place finish for an art competition at the Art Institute Chicago. The painting has a lot of ambiguity associated with it, which has led people to continue to speculate about its true meaning.
You can find out more about the American Gothic painting by Grant Wood by reading our blog 17 Facts About the American Gothic Painting by Grant Wood (1930) by clicking here.
