London at home: the best in virtual art

With cultural and art institutions all across the world temporarily closed, several are instead offering us the opportunity to take a virtual tour around their galleries; and thanks to the Google Art and Culture Project, there are also more than 200 tours around the world now accessible online. From the Coco Chanel exhibition at the MET Gallery in New York to a collection of Korean Street Art at Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art in South Korea you can view art from galleries across the world right from your living room. Here are some of our favourites.

Note: the majority of these tours are best viewed on a desktop, rather than mobile.

 

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

The Rijksmuseum is dedicated to the golden age of Dutch history and is home to a vast collection of artwork including the work of famous Dutch artists Van Gogh, Vermeer and Rembrandt. The museum dates back to the 1800s and has a beautiful interior after it’s monumental 10-year-renovation.

#FLODown: Their interactive page gives visitors the opportunity to explore some of their best artwork. With the zoom feature you can get as close and personal to the art as if were exploring the museum by foot – in some cases even closer.

 Some of their online exhibitions even provide insight into the paintings of Rembrandt van Rijn.

The British Museum, London

The British Museum was the first ever-national museum open to the public. The museum displays global artefacts, including the 196BC Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon Sculptures also known as the ‘Elgin Marbles’.

 #FLODown: The British Museum is currently offering heaps of interesting virtual activities, including virtual tours of Africa, America, Oceania, Asia and Europe. The tours provide detailed information on some of the most monumental events throughout history.  They also have a series of exhibitions on Buddhist art in Myanmar and one on African textiles. And if you have never been to the museum, don’t forget to take a look at the doomed ceiling in the Great Court which is composed of 3,212 panes of glass!

Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art, South Korea

Located in Ansan City, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, this museum features contemporary artwork and a series of collections focused on political social and culture issues of the Gyeonggi province.

#FLODown: Through the Google Arts and Culture Platform you can explore the corridors of the gallery which features some seriously cool street and contemporary art by artists such as Mauricio De Sousa and Ik-joong Kang!

The National History Museum, London

The Natural History Museum functions as both a research institute and a museum and is home to a collection of over 80 million plants, animals, fossils and rocks. The façade of the building is as appealing as the gianormous 25m blue whale that is suspended in the Hintze Hall.

#FLODown: You can discover the origins of the earth through their multiple interactive experiences and their guided tour of the Hintze Hall narrated by the great Sir David Attenborough… need we say more?

Museo Frida Kahlo, Mexico City

The home of the famous artist Frida Kahlo is now a museum that honours her legacy and showcases several pieces of her art, clothing and personal effects.

 #FLODown: Through the Google Arts and Culture Platform visitors now have the ability to virtually walk in Kahlo’s shoes. Explore her studio, kitchen and her personal belongings including her impressive dress collection from the  ‘Appearances Can Be Deceiving’ exhibition.

 

The National Gallery, London     

The National Gallery is one of London's most significant structures, containing one of the greatest collections of European Art in the world.  

#FLODown: The National Gallery is currently offering three virtual tours which give the opportunity to explore the gallery’s collection of Renaissance Art and French Impressionist Art, including the works of Diego Velazquez, Claude Monet, and Hans Holbein.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (aka the MET) may be famous for the extravagant annual ball held by Vogue Editor, Anna Wintour. First and foremost it is an impressive art museum. It was founded in 1870 and is home to over 5,000 years-worth of art every corner of the globe. This includes collections from ancient Egypt, Greek and Rome and European art from the likes of Vermeer and Matisse.

#FLODown: The MET has a huge selection of online exhibitions including one on how much Coco Chanel impacted the fashion industry and another on the couture pieces that were produced by Christian Dior. You can also experience some of the iconic locations within the gallery with a full 360 degree view.

Musée d’Orsay, Paris

The Musee D’Orsay displays artwork from the period 1848 to 1914 and features a vast collection of France’s prized painting and sculptures – including some of the best impressionist artwork around.  

#FLODown: The Musee d’Orsay offers the opportunity to virtually explore some of the best pieces in their collection including the works of Van Gogh, Monet and Cézanne. However, if you have any interest in restoration work, you can also explore the very interesting history behind the museum’s renovation. The structure that houses the  Musee d’Orsay was formerly a railway station prior to becoming the world-renowned museum we all know and love.

The Broad, Los Angeles

The Broad is a contemporary art museum located in downtown Los Angeles, housing Eli and Edythe Broad’s extensive collection of artworks. The museum also includes works by artists such as Jean Michel Basquiat, Yayoi Kusama and Takashi Murakami.

#FLODown: The Broad has launched the Infinite Drone Series which presents a new, contemplative way of experiencing their most popular artwork: Yayoi Kusama’s ‘Infinite Mirrored Room’. You will get to experience the 'Infinity Rooms' to a soundtrack of electronic, ambient, and pop music.