The Art Institute

We visited The Art Institute of Chicago in a Thursday evening. The reason we selected that particular day is because the Museum has Free Night every Tuesday, which means that the museum was open for all Illinois residents free of charge from 5.00 PM to 8.00 PM. This is a very useful tip for those who already have an Illinois State ID or who want to visit Chicago with a local friend. Be advised though, for the extended queuing time because Chicagoans are flocking towards the museum (obviously). Serious art aficionados might find this annoying because it would be too crowded for those who want to enjoy these artworks in peace.

Some the most impressive artworks in The Art Institute of Chicago are the paintings. You can see the works of famous painters such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Georges Seurat, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, and Edward Degas, among others. There are also sculptures and other artifacts if paintings are not your cup of tea. The museum is truly a haven for those aspiring artists, students of art history, or the common art lover.

There are literally halls and corridors filled with works of renowned painters and sculptors that are familiar to us—usually we see them on popular media such as movies and television shows—and they are meticulously arranged in a certain way. The artworks are divided between their respective genres, such as Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and American collection. They also have an extensive collection on Asian art with a section on Southeast Asian art, including some artifacts from Burma and Indonesia. For those who are visiting Chicago, The Art Institute of Chicago is a must-have in your travel itinerary. The Institute is enjoyable not only for art geeks and for those who aspire to be a painter or sculptor, but also for those who possess a love for art.