8 Virtual Museum Tours
If you can't visit in person, tour a museum online and find inspiration!
Do you remember going on field trips in school? I do! It felt like the ultimate free pass.
Being raised in California, I visited several incredible art, history, and science museums. La Brea Tar Pits and Museum was an early favorite!
In my teen years, I frequented The Getty Center, The Getty Villa, LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art), MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art), The Broad, Norton Simon Museum, and many others.
To this day, I’m a museum connoisseur. My passion has extended across the Atlantic Ocean and beyond. England, France, Spain, and the Netherlands showcase fantastic exhibits steeped in culture and history.
When I step into a gallery, no matter how big or small, I am transfixed and transported.
For me, that’s what art does best. Sometimes, the most prolific art doesn’t contain words—although I’m a writer and certainly couldn’t live without them! Photographs, sketches, paintings, sculptures, and other media open up worlds of possibility. They don’t tell you what to think or feel. New meanings emerge when a visitor interacts with an artist’s piece. Both sides bring unique backgrounds and beliefs. When you open your heart (and soul), an imaginary spool of thread unravels, ultimately connecting you to the maker.
Taking time to sit with and reflect on a creative work does wonders for aspiring artists. When you experience art face to face, it's easier to believe in your own (seemingly) impossible dreams and endeavors.Â
If you can’t visit, what’s a good alternative? Tour online collections.
Here is a list of museums with rich databases. Use keywords to search their virtual galleries for the art of your dreams. Some of their pieces are not currently on view, but the magic of the Internet grants you insider access…
The British Museum
Have you ever dreamt of being in the same room as the Rosetta Stone? Well, The British Museum is your place! I was fortunate enough to visit in 2017. Their collection of nearly 4.5 million objects from 6 continents spans 2 million years of history.
The Getty Center & The Getty Villa
The Getty collection, dating from 1300 B.C. to the present, contains a visual feast. If you ever get the chance, I highly encourage you to visit the Center and Villa in person. The architecture alone is breathtakingly beautiful.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
With 490,000+ works of art from over 5,000 years of history, there’s no shortage of inspiration at New York City’s world-famous museum. It’s by far my favorite! I have literally spent hours inside. Below, you’ll find my illustration of their terracotta amphora (ca. 490 B.C.) featuring a man playing the kithara.
MFA Boston
I’ve never stepped foot inside MFA (Museum of Fine Arts) Boston, but after several online visits, I want to! They have thousands of incredible pieces on view, a couple of which have inspired my recent illustrations.
Musée du Louvre
I lost track of time in the Musée du Louvre. With more than 500,000 works to witness, it’s understandable. From architecture and fine jewelry to seals and sculptures, you can roam the museum’s legendary halls for hours. If you do, say hello to Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
Museo del Prado
Madrid is a magical city. If you don’t foresee a visit in the near future, observe Spain’s cultural and historical monuments online. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and look forward to returning!
Norton Simon Museum
In film school, I explored the Norton Simon Museum several times. They boast a vast collection of stunning Rembrandt paintings. They are brilliant studies of form, composition, and especially light. Fragonard, Goya, Picasso, and Van Gogh are more notable artists who contributed to their galleries.
Rijksmuseum
View the Rijksmuseum Collection
If you adore Rembrandt van Rijn and Johannes Vermeer as much as I do, then you should witness the works on display at Amsterdam’s prominent Rijksmuseum. When I visited in 2019, I was floored by the paintings, jewelry, and ship models.
What are your favorite museums to visit? They could be anywhere in the world! Let us know in the comment section.
Great information, enjoyed reading and learning about the amazing museums and art work…. Your drawing are beautiful!