Today, my eldest daughter and I, took a 360-degree virtual tour of some of the most famous museums in the world. We really enjoyed it, as it felt like we were really wαlking the halls of these world-class museums. Due to the circumstances, it is a great opportunity to introduce your children to world history. Through the art and culture of ancient people, as well as, it is a great learning experience. The best part is you can do it from your home.
Take a virtual tour to The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities
The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, known as the Egyptian Museum or Cairo Museum, in Cairo, Egypt. It is the oldest archeological museum in the Middle East and one of the largest museums in Africa. Inaugurated in 1901 by Khedive Abbas Hilmi II. It houses a large collection of ancient artworks from the Pre-dynastic Period to the Greco-Roman Era. Also, it has the largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities in the world. While it has a total of 120,000 items. Among the displayed artifacts are two statues of King Tutankhamun and a statue of King Akhenaten. Ushabti statues (funerary figurines used in ancient Egyptian funerary practices) that belonged to the Nubian kings. In addition, a mummy of a child and a small polychrome glass vase.
From my friend’s visit in spring 2016
https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=85n8j312Ur4
Take a virtual tour to The Vasa Museum
The Vasa Museum is a maritime museum in Stockholm, Sweden and the most popular museum in Scandinavia. It is in a new permanent building on the island of Djurgården, since 1990. There, you can admire the marvelous 17th-century ship that has ever been salvaged. The 64-gun Swedish warship Vasa, with decoration of hundreds carved sculptures. It sank on its first trip in 1628 and was plucked from the seabed after 333 years. Also, 98 percent of the ship is original. So far, 35 million people have seen it.
https://www.stockholm360.net/list.php?id=vasa
Take a virtual tour to The Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums are the public art and sculpture museums in the Vatican City. In addition, they are one of the largest and most popular museums in the world. They display works from the extensive collection accumulated by the Catholic Church and the papacy, throughout the centuries. Including several of the most famous Roman sculptures and most important masterpieces of Renaissance art in the world. Founded by the Pope Julius II in the early 16th century, the museums contain approximately 70,000 works. For instance, The Sistine Chapel with its ceiling decorated by Michelangelo and the Stanze di Raffaello decorated by Raphael are some of the remarkable masterpieces.
The exit, from my visit in summer 2015
https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/tour-virtuali-elenco.html
Take a virtual tour to The Louvre Museum
The Louvre is the world’s largest art museum. A historic monument and a central landmark in Paris, France. Roughly, 38,000 objects from prehistory to the 21st century are on display. The museum is housed in the Louvre Palace, originally built as the Louvre castle in the late 12th to 13th century, during Philip II. During the French Revolution, the National Assembly issued an official order that the Louvre should be used as a museum, in order to display the nation’s masterpieces. The museum opened in 1793 with an exhibition of 537 paintings. Most of the works were royal and confiscated church property. The collection is divided among eight curatorial departments: Egyptian Antiquities and Near Eastern Antiquities. Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities. Islamic Art and Sculpture. And last, Decorative Arts, Paintings, Prints and Drawings.
For instance, some of the top masterpieces in the Louvre are: The Wedding at Cana by Paolo Veronese. Venus de Milo. The Coronation of Napoleon by Zack Louis David. The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. The Raft of the Medusa by Jean Louis Theodore and more.
https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne
Take a virtual tour to The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York City, known commonly as the Met. It is the largest art museum in the United States and one of the most important art museums in the world. Since 1870, its purpose was to bring art and art education to the American people.
In fact, its permanent collection includes over two million artworks. Divided among 17 curatorial departments. The main building at Fifth Avenue is by area one of the world’s largest art galleries. The permanent collection comprises of artworks from classical antiquity and ancient Egypt. Paintings and sculptures from almost all the European masters. In addition, a large collection of American and modern art. The Met maintains extensive holdings of African, Asian, Oceanian, Byzantine, and Islamic art. The museum also houses collections of musical instruments and costumes. Accessories, as well as, antique weapons and armor from around the world.
For instance, some of the amazing masterpieces in the Met are: Madonna and Child enthroned with saints by Raphael. The Temple of Dendur (10BC) and Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze. The Self-Portrait with a straw hat by Vincent van Gogh. Also, the Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies by Claude Monet and John Gutenberg Bible.
From my visit in summer 2009
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/online-features/met-360-project
Take a virtual tour to The State Hermitage Museum
The State Hermitage Museum is a museum of art and culture in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The second largest art museum in the world and one of the most important museums. Since 1764, when Empress Catherine the Great obtained an admirable collection of paintings from the Berlin merchant Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky. The museum comprises of five buildings: the Winter Palace (the former main residence of the Russian kings). The Small Hermitage and the Old Hermitage. Last, the New Hermitage and the Hermitage Theatre.
Last, one of the most important exhibits in the Hermitage is the Western European Art collection. It includes European paintings, sculpture, and applied art from the 13th to the 20th centuries. While some of the most famous artworks hosted are: The Madonna Litta by Leonardo da Vinci. The Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt. Two sisters (Meeting) by Pablo Picasso. Also, The Peacock Clock by James Cox.
https://www.hermitagemuseum.org/wps/portal/hermitage/panorama/virtual_visit/panoramas-m-1/?lng=
Enjoy the magical trip to the history of art and culture!
