The Philadelphia Museum of Art is by far one of our country’s greatest historical and cultural landmarks. Whether you’re there to perfect your Rocky impersonation (admit it, you’ve thought about it) or to admire countless works of art, the art museum is the place to be.
It’s been over 125 years since the museum was founded and it stands today as one of the largest museums in the country. It houses more than 225,000 works of art, including that of Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet.
But not all art has to be paintings. The museum contains a variety of galleries and collections that take art to new levels. The period rooms recreate surroundings from the 12th century on and make you feel like you’ve crossed over into another time somewhere between Van Gogh and the gift shop. The Arms and Armor gallery is another favorite, with a fantastic collection of fine armor that was intended for kings.
“The artifacts are so interesting,” Bridget Freeman, a sophomore fine arts major, said. “Even if you’re not into art, you should go for the cultural aspect alone.”
A person could spend all day in the museum and still not see everything. But one thing they should make an effort to see is the azalea gardens, located around the museum. The gardens present a beautiful setting for the intricate building and complement the large-scale space. Also, they’re the perfect spot for a late afternoon picnic.
“I think the Museum is awesome because it’s so versatile,” Laura Holzman, Press Relations Coordinator for the museum, said. “It presents a great combination of incredible art, lively personalities and significant scholarly work; it offers an enriching compliment to college coursework or a fun escape from campus.”
The ideal time to go to the museum is Sundays, when the museum accepts donations and allows visitors to pay what they will for entry. You could spend the whole day there for $3 if you wanted.
“It’s definitely the coolest place in Philly,” Matt Caso, a senior philosophy major, said.
The Art Museum is so much more than a pretty building with paintings. It’s more than the place where Rocky ran up the steps. Because when you’re within its walls and taking in the centuries old artifacts and practically inhaling the scent of culture that transcends the ages- you become apart of the museum.
“It’s a great place to go to be inspired,” Corinne Szymczak, a junior English and secondary education major, said.
