Life in Baltimore circles
around the water with plenty of history
surrounding the eastern city’s seaboard. Sitting
at the top of the northern confluence of Chesapeake Bay,
the city of Baltimore offers plenty of things
to do and see, especially during warm, pleasant weather.
The Baltimore Museum of Art is the largest in Maryland
and appropriately located in the largest of the state’s
cities. A sweeping and impressive collection of both contemporary
and modern art fills the Baltimore Art Museum and includes
sculptures, paintings, prints, decorative arts and a large
collection of photographs.
All of the Baltimore art galleries inside the museum
have history and roots that stem from Africa, the Americas,
Asia and Oceania and extend outside to the impressive
sculpture garden where major pieces, created by artists
such as Henry Moore, have permanent homes. The sculpture
garden is a particular favorite, encompassing almost three
acres of space filled with innovative creations. Of all
the Baltimore art galleries in the city, the Baltimore
Art Museum has the most notable collection of contemporary
art situated in the west wing. The area is a full 35,000
square feet and includes features from famous artists
such as Jasper Johns and Andy Warhol. The west wing also
features a mezzanine of miniature rooms and decorative
arts from early American artists.
Lovers of art are particularly attracted to the Baltimore Museum of Art, a haven of wonderful pieces, and especially renowned for its magnificent Matisse collection of stunning Baltimore artwork. This famous cache was lovingly accumulated by a pair of now famous sisters from the city, Etta and Claribel Cone, and is now enjoyed by thousands of tourists and visitors that tour the Baltimore Art Museum each year. Originally collected in Paris during the early 1920s, the Matisse collection has enjoyed its part in the Baltimore art galleries location for almost a century.
The Cone Wing, a four million-dollar project inside
the Baltimore Art Museum, is filled with a wonderful collection
aside from the famous Matisse works. These paintings include
works from artists such as Cezanne, Guaguin, Renoir and
Van Gogh. In the Jacobs Wing, a series of beautifully
designed rooms, an assembly of European art includes works
from the 15th to the 19th century. These highlights at
the Baltimore Museum of Art are particularly busy during
the first Thursday of each month when admission is free.
This is one of the most popular events where the Baltimore
art galleries are teeming with people and the museum stays
open until 8pm. If you’re deciding when to go, in
the Baltimore Art Museum sculpture garden there are wonderful
jazz events happening all summer long.
The Baltimore Art Museum is located on Charles Street
in the city, close to many great Baltimore
hotels. It’s a relatively easy trip by rental
car, just a few miles north of the harbor. There are
also two public buses that stop by the museum. For those
with a penchant for the arts, other Baltimore art galleries
include the Walters Art
Museum, also located on Charles Street. The Walters
Art Museum is often called underrated and a city “gem.”
The ever-growing collection of art was first a father
and son collection housing pieces from ancient times through
to the 20th century. For other excellent attractions head
toward the inner harbor for a stroll and some more exploring.
