The Cincinnati Art Museum is one of the oldest and most renowned art museums in the United States. Founded in 1881, it is one of the few art museums in the country that has been open to the public for over a century. The museum collects, preserves, and exhibits works from a variety of cultures and time periods, ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts to modern day artwork.
The museum building was designed by James W. McLaughlin and completed in 1886. The original design of the museum included an auditorium, lecture hall, classrooms, library, galleries and a storeroom.
Today’s version of the museum is much larger than its original design with more than 60 galleries spread over two floors. One highlight of the museum is its extensive collection of American art from the 19th century through today that includes both traditional paintings and sculptures as well as modern works by contemporary artists.
The Cincinnati Art Museum also houses an impressive collection of European artwork from various time periods including Renaissance masterpieces by Raphael and Michelangelo as well as Impressionist works by Monet, Manet and Cezanne. It also has galleries dedicated to Asian art with pieces from China, Japan and India on display. Additionally, there are rotating exhibitions throughout the year featuring special collections or traveling exhibitions from other institutions around the world.
In recent years, the Cincinnati Art Museum has undertaken several major renovations designed to improve its facilities for visitors including a new lobby area with interactive displays and a sculpture garden courtyard that serves as an outdoor exhibition space for larger sculptures. This renovation also included an expansion to accommodate increased attendance which has grown significantly since its opening over 130 years ago.
The Cincinnati Art Museum is an important part of Cincinnati’s culture and history that continues to offer visitors amazing works of art to explore while learning about different cultures around the world. Its long-standing presence in the city makes it one of America’s most beloved art institutions making it well worth a visit whether you’re an art enthusiast or just looking for something interesting to do on your next trip to Cincinnati.
Conclusion: The Cincinnati Art Museum was built in 1886 by James W. McLaughlin and opened its doors to visitors shortly afterward. Since then it has undergone several major renovations while expanding its collection so that now it’s home to thousands of works from all over the world spanning centuries worth of culture and creativity.
When Was The Cincinnati Art Museum Built? It was built in 1886!