my happy place: the Art Institute of Chicago

One of the best things to happen in 2020, was my viewing of the Warhol exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago. The museum is, hands down, my favorite art museum in the country. The space is light and airy, the architecture is stunning, and the collection of Impressionism, is world renowned. The museum also showcases some of the best exhibits, with many of my favorite artists. A couple of my favorites are showcased below, Andy Warhol and John Singer Sargent.

The Art Institute of Chicago: Warhol Exhibit 2020

Here are a couple Warhol favorites that are housed in the museum year round:

The Art Institute of Chicago: My favorite Impressionism Paintings

Exhibit viewing or not, The Art Institute of Chicago has some of my all time favorite Impressionist paintings. A typical day at the museum includes a beeline for the Impressionist wing before seeing anything else in the building. If I ever run out of time to see everything I want, Impressionism will not be missed!

The Art Institute of Chicago: John Singer Sargent Exhibit 2019

For as long as I can remember, I've been a bit obsessed with the Gilded Age, Women's Suffrage, The Vanderbilt's and other major tycoon families of the turn of the century. All it takes is one trip to Newport, RI and you'll be smitten too! A constant figure in many of the books about the Gilded Age and inside the historic mansions, is John Singer Sargent. Sargent created many of the portraits for the wealthy members of society and is considered the most successful portrait painter of his era. Ironically, in the midst of my obsession, while I was reading countless books about Alva and Consuelo Vanderbilt, the John Singer Sargent exhibit opened in Chicago. I experienced as many as I could in person but often view the rest online.

The Art Institute of Chicago: The Architecture

With four levels and maze like meandering floors, The Art Institute has so much to see and a bit of art for everyone, no matter your art preference. A perfect activity for a cold winter day but equally as fun on a hot summer day after strolling through Millennium Park. Keep your eyes open for the the rotating exhibits and sneak a peek at the map prior to your visit so you know you'll have time to see all your must-sees! Don't forget to admire the architecture, which is just as stunning as the other forms of art in the building. The gardens surrounding the museum (and lead into Millennium Park) are worth a walk-through as well.