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Art has been an important part of European culture since early art forms developed in the third millennium BC. This initial art form included various cave paintings of animals, stone carvings and carved tool for decoration or religious purpose.

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European art shifted from ancient art to Medieval Sacred Art, Renaissance awakening, and then beautiful Rococo, extreme Baroque, organic Louis XVth style, Modern Impressionism and Abstract Art as the years passed.

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In Europe, viewing art is more than a simple stop at an art show or art exhibit. It’s a major part of Europe’s history, dating back many thousands of years. This art history has also played a significant role in art worldwide, rivaling with Egyptian Arts and Eastern skills.

These stunning art pieces are now displayed in equally architecturally impressive buildings, featuring structural designs ranging from monumental neoclassical to modern minimalist.

From the D’Orsay and L’Orangerie in Paris to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, it's easy to see that Western Europe has some of the exquisite art exhibits and delightful art museum options to satisfy an Art Lover like me!

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Exploring European Art History

As mentioned, European art began with cave paintings and carvings. From there, art began evolving as more civilizations came to fruition. In Western Europe, art began with Christian work after the Roman empire fell. It shifted into Christian iconography during the Middle Byzantine, with Byzantine artwork flourishing afterward.

In 1100, the style in Paris shifted to a focus on Gothic architecture, featuring buildings made from carved white stone much larger than before.

Notre-Dame of Paris, La Conciergerie and Sainte Chapelle are great examples of this Gothic and Nordic styles.

In 1408, the Italian Renaissance awakened when the famous Donatello modeled his sculpture pieces after classic Roman artwork. Baroque pushed the Renaissance to its extremes making Art heavier with images and symbols, colors but still attached to reality and to religion.

Then came the feminine beauty of the rococo and Louis 15th style thanks to the Women surrounding the King, influencing Artists. Neoclassicism appeared just in the same period as a return to antiquity Art with monumental depictions, geometrical and symmetrical.

But, the Camera was invented and realism and few artists in France were fed up with the same images of Realism and Religious Art. They wanted to express themselves and paint their impressions of what they see. So they invented impressionism, fauvism, expressionism. Following this, the Cinema was invented, people traveled faster to see more countries and impressionist Art has gone out of trend. So, new artists invented new Arts based on Art history such as Dali with Surrealism, Picasso with Cubism … As the industrial revolution gave humans more and more materials, Abstract Art and Minimalism were born as a reaction to consumerism.

You would think there is nothing to create now, as many artists moved to new visual Arts : Video, Photography. Some painters gave empty paintings to Museums.

But, an Artist named Pierre Soulages invented Outer Black Art. It is so enigmatic and mysterious, an Art made of Black thick gel mixed with Gold and some secret materials that he learned from a a Family of  Artisans on Conques. His visual black paintings are the reflection of Music, geometrically satisfying shiny notes can be read when you spend time looking at them.

These beautiful works of art are must-sees in Europe, offering a peek into the continent's history. Viewing the sculptures, paintings, drawings, and other art in Europe's museums, one can experience the magic of art through different periods.

Take the Train from Paris to see more of European Art

Viewing art in Europe is undoubtedly unique experience.

I must say that I love New York museums and other cultural places that I visited during my travels to USA. But, here in Europe, the museology is quite different. For example, the Louvre is a massive old maze built centuries ago, making it impossible to explore within a day.

So, for me, it is best to work with a local tour guide in each European country to provide me insights into how the local architecture, art, and culture are interwoven.

The best tour guides of each town helped me understand many complex art topics in a few minutes while offering valuable insights into their country. I always pick up the tour that includes the specialty of the guide, with too much details on art techniques, styles and the history of Art.

I tend to choose the local people, even native preferably with a mastery of English presentation skills, a nice lifestyle to help me pick up Quality food. The guide must share the same mindset around art. It is even better if the guide is passionate about Art History or Contemporary Art that I thrive to absorb!

 

Contacts

Exploring with a local European tour guide offered me the optimal experience, as I can tackle the impressive museums with a well-thought-out plan in Advance. Moreover, I now have “ambassadors” in each country I visited and these valuable contacts will be shared with you, without any fees, if you are interested.

 

Art in Spain

Many famous artists were born in Spain, leading to diverse and timeless pieces that had a major impact on Western art. Some of the most famous artists born in the country include Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Francisco Goya, El Greco, and the list continues. In Spain, you'll discover the famed Prado Museum, known as the Museo Nacional del Prado.

Museo Nacional del Prado

Link: https://www.museodelprado.es/

Address: C. de Ruiz de Alarcón, 23, 28014 Madrid, Spain

Tel: +34 913 30 28 00

This museum in Madrid was established in 1819. It is thought that this art museum holds one of the best collections of European art. Even the building is a work of art, as it was designed and built in a neoclassical style. While artwork from many famous artists lies within this massive museum, there is a particular focus on Goya and Valazquez pieces.

The current exhibits are:

• Goya, San Bernardino de Siena: Sketches from the Tatiana Pérez de Guzmán el Bueno Foundation (Until February 19, 2023)

• Zobel. The Future of the Past (Until March 5, 2023)

• Portraits of Joaquín Sorolla (1863-1923) (Until June 18, 2023)

Those interested in viewing more art can look at the Didactic exhibit, an outdoor display of 50 pieces. Each piece was revealed by my local guide who happened to share the passion for the Gardens of Earthly Delights.  

Art in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

While Spain is the birthplace of famous artists, Amsterdam was under the Spanish occupation, and today is known for housing many famous art pieces. Here, you can view artwork by artists like Rembrandt, Mondrian, and Van Gogh. Three major museums lie within Amsterdam, the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, and the Stedelijk Museum (contemporary art).

I only found tour guides for the Van Gogh and the Rijksmuseum.

Van Gogh Museum

Link: https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/nl

Address: Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam, Netherlands

Tel: +31 20 570 5200

The Van Gogh Museum focuses exclusively on art from Vincent Van Gogh. It holds many famous pieces of his, including The Potato Eaters. This museum has a permanent collection on display which includes Van Gogh's masterpieces. There are also a few temporary exhibits on display each year. Guided tours and small group tours are available at this museum.

Three temporary exhibits will be on display in 2023; they include:

• Choose Vincent. Portrait of a Family History (February 10, 2023 – April 10, 2023)

• Van Gogh at Auvers. His last months (May 12, 2023 – September 3, 2023)

• Van Gogh on the Seine (October 13, 2023 – January 14, 2024)

Rijksmuseum

Link: https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl

Address: Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam, Netherlands

Tel: +31 20 674 7000

This art museum focuses on Dutch artwork, such as pieces by Vermeer, Rembrandt van Rijn, and Jan Asselijn. It is officially the largest museum in the Netherlands, making it a must for any art-centric itinerary.

Below are the current exhibits and those coming in 2023:

• Durable/ Sustain/ Tene (Finished January 15, 2023)

• Rijksmuseum & Slavery (Until February 2023)

• Display Cabinets (Until March 14, 2023)

• Asian Pavilion (Until April 16, 2023)

• Irma Boom: Art + Books (Until May 7, 2023)

• Women on Paper (Until May 30, 2023)

• Vermeer (February 10, 2023 – June 4, 2024)

Art in Paris, France

Known as the Capital of Art for nearly two centuries, Paris is a top choice for art lovers. Many artists were attracted to Paris during the 19th and 20th centuries, as the city offered a romantic atmosphere, a beautiful appearance, and a low cost of living. Paris has benefitted in the long run, with offerings of some of the best art museums around. Two major museums in the city include the Musee d'Orsay and the Louvre.

Musee D’Orsay

Link: https://www.musee-orsay.fr/fr

Address: 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris, France

Tel: +33 1 40 49 48 14

This museum lives up to Paris' aesthetic appeal, as it lies in one of the most beautiful buildings. The Musee d'Orsay is located in a railway building that transitioned into a museum in 1986. This art museum focuses on impressionism and post-impressionism. Pieces from artists like Degas, Van Gogh, and Claude Monet are at this art museum. It's smaller than the Louvre, so it's more manageable for shorter trips.

The current exhibits include the following:

• Impressionism: Modernity in Movement (Until February 5, 2023)

• Behind the Scenes of the Workshop. Jacques de Lalaing, painter, sculptor and … photographer (Until March 5, 2023)

• Contemporary Readings: The 1001 Designs of the ABCD’Orsay (Until March 12, 2023)

• The Surveyors of Dreams: Drawings from the Musee d'Orsay (Until March 13, 2023)

• Architecture of Health and Charity (Until March 28, 2023)

The Louvre

Link: https://www.louvre.fr/en

Address: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France

Tel: +33 1 40 20 50 50

While the Musee d'Orsay focuses on impressionism, the Louvre features famous classic art pieces. The Mona Lisa is situated at the Louvre, among other masterpieces. This art museum is the largest in the world, with an impressive 38,000 pieces on display. It's bigger than New York's Metropolitan Museum. The building is also impressive, with a unique design that has helped distinguish it as a monument.

After taking the tour to see the famous exhibit of Les Choses, I have scheduled a new tour to see The Splendours of Uzbekistans Oases, which runs until March 6, 2023.

Article about Splendours of Uzbekistans Oases is coming soon !

Art in Italy

This country is home to many famous art pieces, with most cities and regions housing at least one masterpiece. Since it was a significant country for art during the Renaissance period, it is an artistically rich location.

Uffizi Gallery

Link: https://www.uffizi.it/gli-uffizi

Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Tel: +39 055 294883

Set in a stunning building in Florence is the Uffizi Gallery. This art gallery focuses on Renaissance artwork from the greats, including Michelangelo, da Vinci, and Botticelli. You’ll find pieces like The Birth of Venus at this museum.

This iconic museum has a large array of exhibits in 2023, including the following:

• A Renaissance Masterpiece From France to Bosco Ai Frati. Nicolas Froment’s Triptych. (Until April 30, 2023)

• Masaccio and Angelico. Dialogue on Truth in Painting (Until February 5, 2023)

• Verrocchio and His World in an Unacknowledged Work: the Restored Macinghi Altarpiece (Until February 19, 2023)

• Uffizi Diffused in Pietrasanta with the Exhibition "The gaze and the idea" (Until February 19, 2023)

• Jacopo Vignali and the Uffizi Galleries in San Casciano (Until February 26, 2023)

The Vatican Museum

Link: https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei.html

Address: 00120 Vatican City

Tel: +39 06 6988 4676

Here, you'll find an impressive collection of museums featuring classical and Renaissance artwork. It's also home to the famous Sistine Chapel frescoes created by Michelangelo. The Vatican Museums also lie in beautiful architecture, incorporating Baroque, Roman, and Renaissance elements. The museums onsite include a combination of sculptures, paintings, antiques, and more, depending on which buildings you explore.

There are currently two temporary exhibits, though neither has an end date. They are the following:

• The Sea Route

• Indonesia. The Land of Harmony

How to Travel to Each Art Museum without a Car?

While renting a car in Europe may seem more convenient to explore hidden corners, it can be costly.

Europe is investing a lot in its Ecological Transition and we are promoting travel by High Speed Trains instead of renting a car.

So, please consider taking a 1st class train ticket while in Europe. It is the most popular method for getting around, and for a good reason. Riding the train is safer, more efficient, comfortable, and budget-friendly than car rentals.

These are only a few benefits of riding a train in Europe. These trains also run from city center to city center, to smaller villages. So you'll be able to see what each city and village has to offer without taking additional transportation into the city.

Simply purchase an e-ticket or a ticket at the train station and arrive a few minutes before the train leaves. Then, you’re ready to travel via railway. You can even use train travel to reach small towns, as the railway is vast throughout Europe. 

If you need a recommendation for a local Paris art tour guide, do not hesitate to contact me. With my taste in Euroean Art and my grand passion for art history, I can easily give you a match with a guide that I have hired for the Louvre and Musee D'Orsay, focusing on their personality, client feedback. The guide can give you the highlights tour for your first visit or maybe a deeper exhibit tour, a themed tour or an advanced & focused Art tour. With my deep passion for these subjects, I can help you find the perfect match.