This is an art enthusiast's fantasy—a chance to see masterworks from the world’s most renowned art museums. Launched in February 2011, Google Art Project brings more than 4,000 works of art with extraordinary detail and resolution to computer screens around the world. Google has cleverly integrated street view technology with Picasa and YouTube to give a comprehensive view of some of the world’s most priceless art objects.
View of Google Art Project virtual tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City
Artwork View allows the virtual visitors to see featured works in high resolution and zoom in for an up-close look that museum visitors can’t get. As wired.co.uk reported, “Zoom in close enough, and you can see individual brushstrokes, hairline cracks in the canvas and microscopic details that are almost invisible to the naked eye—like tiny Latin messages scrawled on Hans Holbein the Younger's 'The Merchant Georg Gisze.'” You can even learn more about each piece through accompanying YouTube videos. It’s an incredible way to see new art pieces and explore favorites.
Currently, this blend of technology and art, features 17 museums ranging from the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and to the National Gallery in London and the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.
While the Art Project is an incredible way to learn about art, it certainly doesn’t replace the experience of visiting museums, seeing works of art in person and exploring entire collections.
Many great American art museums such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, the Getty Museum in Los Angeles and the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., are favorite spots on our tours. Check out our tours for the art-enthusiast traveler.
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