From the Louvre to MoMA, these places house and showcase some of world’s most famous paintings
Art has a way of capturing our imaginations, and some paintings have become legends. Here’s a guide to nine of the most famous paintings and how they’re displayed in their home museums.
The Mona Lisa, known for her mysterious smile, is on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris. She's protected by a special glass case in the Denon Wing, so visitors can admire her up close while keeping her safe. The room is often packed with people, but she is always the center of attention.
At MoMA in New York, "The Starry Night" is showcased in a gallery dedicated to van Gogh and other post-impressionist artists. The room is lit just right to make the painting’s vibrant colors pop. The minimalist setup of the gallery helps visitors focus on the swirling night sky and dynamic brushstrokes of van Gogh's work.
Also at MoMA, Salvador Dalí’s "The Persistence of Memory" is displayed in a spacious, well-lit room. The walls are kept neutral to ensure the painting’s surreal melting clocks and dreamlike scene take center stage. The gallery’s setup helps visitors get lost in the painting’s bizarre and fascinating imagery.
In Oslo’s National Gallery, "The Scream" hangs in a room designed to amplify its dramatic effect. The room is dimly lit with simple decor, which helps make Munch’s intense and vivid colors stand out. This setup creates a striking atmosphere that matches the painting’s emotional depth.
"Guernica" is displayed in a dedicated room at the Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid. The painting is positioned on a large wall, allowing visitors to appreciate its size and detail from various angles. The room’s lighting and neutral walls are designed to let Picasso’s powerful anti-war message take center stage.
Rembrandt’s "The Night Watch" is showcased in a grand gallery at the Rijksmuseum. The painting is displayed in a spacious, well-lit room with high ceilings that complement its large size. The setup allows visitors to appreciate Rembrandt’s use of light and shadow, and the gallery’s decor enhances the painting’s historical vibe.
At the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, "The Birth of Venus" is displayed in a room that echoes the Renaissance style of the painting. The soft lighting and classical decor help highlight Botticelli’s beautiful portrayal of the goddess Venus. The room’s atmosphere perfectly matches the painting’s mythological themes.
Raphael’s "The School of Athens" is a fresco that covers a wall in the Stanza della Segnatura at the Vatican Museums. The room is richly decorated, and the fresco is surrounded by other grand artworks. The setting helps visitors appreciate the painting’s grandeur and its place in Renaissance art.
Grant Wood’s "American Gothic" is displayed in a straightforward gallery at the Art Institute of Chicago. The painting is in a well-lit, simple room that lets its iconic imagery stand out. The minimalistic design of the gallery helps visitors focus on the painting’s depiction of rural American life.
