Philadelphia Museum of Art

File:Philadelphia Art museum and Water works aerial.webm Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the largest and most renowned art museums in the United States, located at the end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is notable for its extensive collections of American, Asian, and European art, and its striking Greek Revival architecture, designed by architects Horace Trumbauer and Zantzinger, Borie and Medary. The museum's iconic steps, famously featured in the film Rocky, have become a popular tourist attraction in their own right.

History

The Philadelphia Museum of Art was chartered in 1876 for the Centennial Exposition, and initially housed in Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park. It moved to its current location in 1928, with the new building designed to emulate the temples of Ancient Greece. Over the years, the museum has expanded significantly, including the addition of the Perelman Building in 2007, and undergoing a major renovation and expansion project designed by architect Frank Gehry that began in 2007 and is ongoing.

Collections

The museum's collections include over 240,000 objects, spanning 2,000 years of world art. Key highlights include:

• European Painting and Sculpture, featuring works by Renaissance, Baroque, and Impressionist masters, including Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Salvador Dalí.
• American Art, with a focus on Philadelphia and Pennsylvania artists, as well as a comprehensive collection of Colonial and Federal furniture and silver.
• Asian Art, including comprehensive collections of Chinese, Japanese, and Indian art, among others.
• Arms and Armor, one of the most extensive collections in the United States.
• Textiles and Fashion, featuring a wide range of costumes, textiles, and accessories from around the world.

Exhibitions and Programs

The Philadelphia Museum of Art hosts a wide range of temporary exhibitions, educational programs, and public events throughout the year. These include artist retrospectives, thematic exhibitions, and displays of rarely seen works from the museum's own collections, as well as lectures, workshops, and performances.

Architecture

The museum's main building is a landmark of Greek Revival architecture, with a facade modeled after the Parthenon in Athens. Its vast set of stairs leading up to the main entrance became widely recognized after their appearance in the Rocky film series. The interior of the museum is equally impressive, with expansive galleries, a grand staircase, and beautifully decorated rooms that house the museum's collections.

The "Rocky Steps" and Statue

The steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art have become known colloquially as the "Rocky Steps" after Sylvester Stallone's triumphant run up the stairs in the 1976 film Rocky. A statue of Rocky, commissioned by Stallone, now stands near the base of the steps and is a popular photo opportunity for visitors.

Visiting

The museum is open to the public year-round, offering a variety of ticket options, including memberships, day passes, and discounts. It is accessible by public transportation and has parking facilities for visitors.