History of the Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago has an eventful history. Established during the aftermath of the Great Fire of 1871, the Art Institute of Chicago didn’t find its permanent home as both a museum and school until 1893. While the institute started out featuring plaster caskets, it has since grown and evolved into a museum and school that is internationally recognized as the finest art institute in America.
The Art Institute of Chicago Today
Today the Art Institute of Chicago represents diverse artistic traditions through collecting, preserving and interpreting fine works of art. During your three and a half hour tour of the museum’s galleries, discover works from different cultures and countries.
Gallery Highlights
Boasting over 54,000 works of art, the Art Institute of Chicago’s galleries are supported by the institute’s collections throughout. From masks made by African tribes to contemporary, iconic art, wonder the displays for an experience unlike any other.
African
The African Collection demonstrates the diversity of tradition-based arts on the African continent. Discover masks and figural sculptures from the Democratic Republic, beadwork from South Africa, furniture and textiles from Morocco and more. The institute’s collection of over 80 African ceramics is the largest in any American art museum.
American
Over 1,000 paintings, 18th century sculptures and 2,500 decorative objects can be found in the American Collection. The Alfred Stieglitz collection and works by John Singer Sargent, James McNeill Whistler, Mary Cassatt and Winslow Homer also belong in these holdings.
Ancient and Byzantine Art
Spanning nearly 4,000 years, the Ancient and Byzantine Art Collection includes pieces from ancient Byzantine, Egyptian, Etruscan, Greek and Roman cultures. From authentic jewelry worn by women to coins, the Ancient and Byzantine Art Collection is home to over 5,000 ancient objects.
Architecture and Design
Works by Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier make up the core of the Architecture and Design Collection. Other impressive works include pieces by Elizabeth Diller, Lindy Roy and Hella Jongerius.
Arms, Armor, Medieval and Renaissance
Head back in time to the European Renaissance era. Paintings, sculptures, metalwork, stained glass, textiles and an extensive collection of arms and armor echo religious and everyday items from the French, German Italian, Spanish and Dutch Renaissance era.
Asian
The Asian Collection is comprised of works spanning over five millennia. Woodblock prints from China, Japanese textiles, Persian paintings and other items of great archeological and artistic significance will take your breath away.
Contemporary
Boasting the world’s most comprehensive contemporary collection in any museum, the Art Institute of Chicago is home to iconic works of art from 1945 to the present. Paintings, sculptures, installations, news and media are just some of the works found in this collection.
European Decorative Arts
Admire the European Decorative Arts Collection. Highlights include English and French Silver from the 18th and 19th century, furniture from the 17th century and the notable Arthur Rubloff Paperweight Collection including 1,544 unique objects.
European Paintings and Sculptures
Containing over 3,500 works, the European Paintings and Sculptures Collection is considered one of the finest. Take time to admire the detail in rare 15th century Spanish, Italian and Northern European paintings. Post-Impressionist and classic modern works are some of the most notable pieces in the collection.
Indian Art of the Americas
Ceramics, sculptures, textiles and metalwork of the Mesoamerican and Andean Native Americans are the focal points in the Indian Art of the Americas Collection. Artifacts belonging to Native North Americans like the Plains, the Southwest and California Indians demonstrate how the Indian people worked and played.
Modern
Renowned works by Picasso, O’Keeffe and Ivan Albright are just some of the notable works that can be seen on display in the Modern Collection. Holdings contain nearly 1,000 works from Europe and the Americas.
Photography
Marvel in photographs by Alfred Stieglitz, Julien Levy and Paul Strand. The Photography Collection spans from 1839 to the present.
Prints and Drawings
Discover over 11,500 drawings and the 60,000 prints that reside in the Prints and Drawings Collection. Dating back to the 15th century, see French prints and drawings from the 19th century, extensive holdings from the 20th century and other works that are continuously being added to this ever-growing collection.
Textiles
From woven silks and velvets to European vestments and tapestries, the Department of Textiles holds over 66,000 sample swatches that date back to 300 B.C. and 13,000 textiles.
Throne Miniature Rooms
See how European interiors have changed over the years. The extraordinary Throne Miniature Rooms was designed by Mrs. James Ward Throne and constructed by expert craftsmen. Each one inch to one foot room reflects elements of European interiors spanning from the 13th century to the 1930s.
Shopping in the Museum Shop
From one-of-a-kind gifts to small keepsakes, the Museum Shop works hand and hand with the School of the Art Institute to provide guests with unique gifts and souvenirs. Many of the items found in the Museum Shop are reflective of the collections seen throughout the museum.
The Court Café
Enjoy lunch at the Court Café. A variety of sandwiches, fresh salads and soups are just some of the available lunch options. A number of cold and hot beverages can also be purchased. For those who have a sweet tooth, desserts are available in the Court Café on a daily basis.