Art museum

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The_MET

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Ateneum_Helsinki

An art museum or art gallery is a building or space for the exhibition of art, usually visual art. Museums can be public or private, but what distinguishes a museum is the ownership of a collection. Paintings are the most commonly displayed art objects; however, sculpture, decorative arts, furniture, textiles, costume, drawings, pastels, prints, artist's books, photographs, and installation art are also regularly shown.

History

The concept of an art museum has its roots in the Renaissance, when wealthy patrons began to collect art and display it in their homes. The first public art museum was the Louvre Museum in Paris, which opened in 1793. The idea of a public museum spread throughout Europe and the Americas during the 19th century, leading to the establishment of many of the world's most famous art museums.

Types of Art Museums

Art museums can be categorized in several ways, including by the type of art they display, their ownership, and their mission.

By Type of Art

• Fine art museums: These museums focus on traditional visual arts such as painting, sculpture, and drawing.
• Contemporary art museums: These museums focus on art created in the late 20th and 21st centuries.
• Decorative arts museums: These museums focus on objects that are both beautiful and functional, such as furniture, ceramics, and textiles.

By Ownership

• Public museums: These museums are owned and operated by government entities and are often funded by public money.
• Private museums: These museums are owned by individuals, families, or corporations and are often funded by private donations.

By Mission

• General art museums: These museums have broad collections that span many different types of art and time periods.
• Specialized art museums: These museums focus on a specific type of art, artist, or time period.

Notable Art Museums

Some of the most famous art museums in the world include:

• Louvre Museum in Paris
• The British Museum in London
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City
• The Uffizi Gallery in Florence
• The Prado Museum in Madrid

Functions of Art Museums

Art museums serve several important functions, including:

• Preservation: Museums preserve art for future generations by protecting it from damage and decay.
• Education: Museums educate the public about art through exhibitions, lectures, and educational programs.
• Research: Museums conduct research on their collections and on art in general, contributing to the field of art history.
• Exhibition: Museums display art for the public to view and appreciate.

Related Pages

• Museum
• Gallery
• Curator
• Exhibition
• Art history
• Visual arts