Best Collections of the Art Institute of Chicago

Top 10 Collections of the Art Institute of Chicago

African Collection
African collection at the Art Institute of Chicago covers artistic expressions and sculptural creation of African culture. Collections’ artistic expression focuses on the south of the Sahara whereas sculptural elements focuses on traditions of Central and West part of Africa. This entire collection offers various items including masks, beadworks, furniture, ceramic works from African countries. These collectible elements are the largest in an American art Museum.

American Collection
American collection section at the Art Institute of Chicago includes thousands of paintings and sculptures from very very old days. When I say old days means starting from the 17th century to the present days. American collection includes world famous Alfred Stieglitz’s collection including other contributors like James McNeill Whistler, Winslow Homer. It also includes images by Edward Hopper, Diego Rivera, Grant Wood and many similar painters.

Arms, Armor, Medieval, and Renaissance Collection
The Art Institute of Chicago’s Arms, Armor, Medieval and Renaissance collection houses variety of objects, paintings and sculpture showing the facts about religious and daily life. These collection arts are made in Europe over a period of more than 500 years. These paintings and sculptures give visitors an idea about the Renaissance era in countries like Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands and France.

Asian Collection
Asian collection at The Art Institute of Chicago showcase thousands of objects featuring ancient Asian culture that includes China, India, Japan, Korea and other countries from southwest Asia. Main must see objects include Chinese bronzes, ceramics; Japanese textiles, paintings and screens; Indian and Persian miniature paintings. Also, Indian and South Asian sculptures are world renowned.

Contemporary Collection
The contemporary collection at the Art Institute Chicago includes arts, painting, sculptures and installations from 1945 to the present. As of today there are more than 1000 art works including works by world renowned artists Willem de kooning, Gerhard Richter, Cy Twombly, Joan Mitchell and many similar.

European Painting and Sculpture Collection
European painting and Sculpture collection is one of the finest collection not only in Chicago but also in the world. The Art Institute features more than 3500 painting works from the 12th century through mid 20th century. Most significant works include over 400 works from major Impressionist and Post-Impressionist. Rare paintings and sculptures from countries such as Spain, Italy and Northern Europe are remarkable at European painting and Sculpture collection.

Modern Collection
Modern collection represents excellent artwork by world famous artists from Europe and the Americas. Modern art collection includes work by world famous icons of the age including Matisse’s Bathers by a River, Orozco’s Zapata, New Mexico, Picasso Old Guitarist and many more.

Photography Collection
Started by Georgia O’Keeffe in 1949, Photography collection represents historical work beginning from 1839 to the present. Georgia O’Keeffe donated the Alfred Stieglitz collection in 1949 as a startup. Photography collection includes works by famous masters including Paul Strand, Eugene Atget, Edward Weston and Andre Kertesz.

Textile Collection
Textile Collection represents over 13,000 textiles and 66,000 sample swatches starting from 300 B.C. to the present. The collection represents the great samples and textile work from 16th and 17th century showing english needlework as well as printed and woven materials from 18th and 19th centuries. Overall great work on fibre.

Thorne Miniature Rooms
Thanks to Mrs. James Ward Thorne and craftsmen who created these miniature rooms. Mrs. James Ward Thorne guided craftsmen to construct models on a scale of inch to one foot. There are total 68 Thorne Miniature rooms in collection. These miniature models give an excellent idea about European interiors from late 13th century to the 1930s as well as American furnishing from 17th century to the 1930s.

Now as you know the top collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, plan a trip to Museum as part of next weekend activity or Chicago trip. If you have a Bank of America card then you can get FREE admission to the Art Institute of Chicago through Bank of America Museum on Us promotional offer. Also, You can save money by purchasing either Go Card Chicago or Chicago CityPass.

Have fun visiting the best collections at the Art Institute of Chicago.

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