Art Institute, Chicago

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One of my favorite things to visit at the Art Institute are the vibrant blue Chagall designed "America Windows" which were installed at the Art Institute in 1977. They were designed by Chagall to celebrate our nation's bicentennial in 1976 and after hearing of the death of Mayor Richard J. Daley (the current mayor's father), Chagall dedicated the windows to him.

Unfortunately for visitors to Chicago, the windows will be off display, possibly even to 2009, as they are being cleaned while a new wing is being constructed.

The 6 stained glass panels each show a different theme-music, art , literature, freedom, theater and dance. In the attached picture of the freedom panel, you can see a dove, the Statue of Liberty and the Chicago skyline in it.

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I found the Chicago Art Institute an enjoyable pastime while visiting the Chicago area. I have been to the Los Angeles Art Museum, Huntington Garden, The Getty and the Philadelphia Art Museum. I think Chicago's art collection ranks right up there in the top 5 of U.S. Art museums.

My favorite kind of art is the "Impressionists", Monet, Renoir, Cassat to name a few. The use of "high key color" (colors that are far removed such as gray, black or brown) are colors that one can see during the day. I truly enjoyed seeing Monet's Water Lily Pond.

Also presented were The Thorne Miniature Rooms. In the 1930's Mrs James Ward Thorne and her band of artists created miniature rooms from the European and American architectural interiors. She had become interested in them as her uncle (who was an admiral in the British Navy) sent some to her. Mrs Thorne donated 66 miniatures to the Art Institute in 1941.

Although her depictions were not historically correct, the miniatures enable people to see what dwellings were like back in the late 16th to 20th Centuries. Mrs Thorne had a challenge to be able to recreate the illusion of daylight streaming through the windows, she suceeded admirably. The minatures were fun to look at and as a patron of the Arts, I was pleased to see that in 1987 an all out effort to restore these little gems was launched. A new gallery was designed by an architectural company to display the refinished works.

Art Institute hours are: Monday, Tuesday Wednesday and Friday: 10:30 to 4:30pm
On Thursday: 10:30 to 8:00 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays: 10:00 to 5:00pm

Admission is $12 for adults and $7 for senior citizens, students and children

NOTE** On Thursday evenings from 5pm to 8pm, admission is free Always check prior as the days and times are subject to change.

For Public Programs or Events call: 312 443 3600

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This is a FANTASTIC..."gallery" seems almost a perjorative describing this place, it's so exhaustive. Try to catch the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit and make sure you don't miss the sculpture courtyard or the medieval armoury.

Seriously, leave at least a half day, preferably a whole day for this place and all required Ferris Bueller impersonations therein.

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One of the world's great art museums, THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO has collections dating from 3,000 B.C. through to the present , including famous French impressionist paintings and drawings ( the Renoirs were absolutely wonderful ), fine and decorative art from America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America, photography, textiles and architectural works.
The internationally acclaimed collection of French impressionism includes works by Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Vincent Van Gogh. I can't begin to tell you how thrilled I was to see the original painting of Van Gogh's "Self Portrait". I have seen it in pictures many times, but had no idea the original was in Chicago. WOW!
Also one of my favourite display areas, were the 68 captivating Thorne Miniature Rooms, which trace the history of interior design and furnishings in exquisite detail.
We, Hans and I, Kat and friend Kris, Robert and Kristi all thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Art Institute and as a bonus, we got in free (Thursdays after 5:00 p.m. ).

Admission:
Adults $12.00
Children ( 12 + ) Students & Seniors $7.00
Children under 12 are free
Members are free

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Only cost $12 for an adult to go.There is the most amazing pieces of artwork you will ever see in your life.After going to a very loud environment,the Shedd Aquarium, the Art Institute was VERY relaxing to walk around for 3 hours at. There is a cafeteria with some good food there also in case you get hungry. Picasso,Van Gogh, Monet,Grant Wood, theyre all there at this museum,its just a breathtaking place to visit.i HIGHLY recommend you visit this place.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mux1YCNx7jA

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Around the turn of the last century, there was a major push to bring world class art to Chicago. The Art Institute is a major result of that effort. See world class paintings from all over the world here - 20th century American art, paintings from major European artists dating back to the 15th century, Impressionist and Postimpressionist art, contemporary too. The Art Institute has a great collection, to suit pretty much anyone's taste.

But great paintings are only a part of the picture here (yeah, I know that was bad). See sculptures and other artifacts from Egypt, Greece, Rome, Asia and Africa. Arms and armor dating almost back to the Middle Ages (how'd they ever fight in those things?). Decorative arts, textiles and, since it's Chicago, there's a section on architecture too.

The Art Museum is a "must see" while in Chicago. It's open 7 days a week. Admission is $12 for adults, $7 for children - to me, that's a bargain. And it's easy to find too - just look for the two lions on Michigan Avenue.

A very impressive building. I specifically went to see the Van Gogh and Gauguin exhibition. The exhibition was self guided. You pay $10 for a tape recorder that will take you through the paintings and you can of course stroll at your own lesiure. This is optional of course. The museum is opened everyday except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. You will also find a restaurant the court cafeteria for a snack and a Museum shop. You do really need a full day here in the art institute. Wonderful exhibits by Claude Monet, Toulouse Lautrec and Andy warhol to name but a few. Downstairs you can find the wonderful Thorn Miniture Rooms. The 68 Thorne Miniature Rooms date from the 13th century to the 1930s and American furnishings from the 17th century to the 1930s. You get a glimpse into what the interiors of houses were like in those days.

Beginning June 6, there will no longer be a free day at the Art Institute. Instead, Thursday and Friday evenings (5 to 9 p.m.) will be free. When the summer is over, the museum will be free only on Thursday evenings (and, I guess, from February 1 -21.) Additional bad news: the old policy of "Pay what you wish, but you must pay something" is no longer in effect. Now adults must pay $12 admission, though children under 12 will receive free admission after June 3.

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If you leave the Impressionist galleries and keep going "around the square" you will start at the beginning of the European galleries. This last trip I just focused on some of the amazing details in the medieval painting section. They date from the mid 1200s to the mid 1400s.
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Click on "other photos" to enjoy what I did!

On the left a beautiful jeweled pendant in the design of a ship -- on the right the Hindu god Ganesha.
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Please click on the picture to enjoy the detail.
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The South Asia section has been moved during the AIC renovations, Not all items are on view alas :(