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Art Museums on the Net

© Judith Stock

As an incurable art fan and museum hound, I'm thrilled the Internet came along in my lifetime. The Net is the place to go if you love to expand your horizons, hone your knowledge, and feed your soul on the beauty and abundance of art. No need to drive to the museum, no tickets to purchase and no lines. Just sit back in your computer chair, relax, and let's get into this eclectic art tour of all the marvelous websites, designed to pique our interests and delight in the world of art.

One of the most famous art museums is the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Antiquities, decorative arts, photographs, paintings, manuscripts, drawings, sculpture and architecture abound in this unique setting. True, you won't be able to stand on one of the highest hilltops in the City of Angels, or take the tram ride up the hill, or sip café latte in the courtyard, but neither have I and I live here. Just try to get parking tickets, they are sold out until the next millennium.

As long as we're in the City of Angels, lets take a side trip to Pasadena, California and the Norton Simon Museum. There are over two thousand years of Western and Asian art represented at this renowned location. European paintings and sculpture range from the 14th to the 20th century. The Museum exhibits Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo masterpieces by Raphael, El Greco, Rubens, and Rembrandt along with works from the 19th and 20th century by Goya, Manet, Monet, Degas, Renoir, van Gogh, Cezanne, Rousseau and Picasso. In October 1999, the Norton Simon completed extensive remodeling of the building and gardens.

Now, let's venture to Detroit, the city of my youth. As a child, my sister took me to the Detroit Institute of Art. It was probably a class project for her, as she was 18 years old, wise and worldly in my eyes. I always headed for the basement, with the mummies and ancient Egyptian artifacts. I had an abiding curiosity, heightened by anything mysterious, and Egypt and mummies qualified. This museum will take you on an in-depth tour of the Ancient world. Another treat, you can dine at Kresge Court Café. This elegant restaurant plays host to a popular concert series called "Brunch with Bach," featuring national and international performers. Of course, you won't be able to dine in style via the Internet but if you live in or near Detroit you will want to have this experience for yourself. Bon Appetite!

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