The Baltimore Museum of Art, or BMA, is home not only to the Matisse collection but also work by several renowned 19th-century European masters. There is also a contemporary art wing, where you’ll find work by Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns. Outside the main building with its ancient Roman-style architecture are the scenic sculpture gardens, where you’ll find further significant artwork.
In 1914, just after its incorporation, the BMA started out with just one renowned American painting. It wasn’t long before further famous work was added, including Anthony van Dyck’s famously melodramatic painting “Rinaldo and Armida”. The Cone Collection, which consists of some 3,000 works by Matisse, Cézanne, Picasso and Gauguin, was gifted to the museum just after the Second World War. The paintings were donated by two sisters from Baltimore who had amassed their collection following years of visits to Europe’s leading studios. At the gallery, you can take a virtual tour of the sisters’ apartments, which are crammed full of some amazing masterpieces.
Today, the BMA displays around 90,000 pieces, including the world’s largest collection of work by French artist Henri Matisse. Masterpieces from the likes of Renoir and Van Gogh also grace the walls.
Younger visitors can enjoy hands-on art workshops and special gallery tours. Outside in the sculpture gardens, you’ll encounter replicas of famous artwork by artists such as Rodin and Henry Moore. In the summer, bring a picnic to enjoy in the gardens or book a table at the restaurant and watch a night-time jazz performance.
Situated 5 kilometres north of the Inner Harbor, the site has beautiful gardens, a restaurant and an art shop. Buses stop nearby and parking is available if you’re coming by car. The BMA is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and some public holidays. Admission to the museum is free, but special events and certain exhibitions may charge an admission fee.