Andy Warhol, Chihuly Glass, and More Art Exhibits You Can Virtually Tour
Who says you need a passport to see art exhibits around the world? Below, House Beautiful has rounded up a variety of virtual exhibits you can visit right from home, with subjects ranging from Andy Warhol’s artwork to the Queen mother of Thailand’s custom wardrobe—designed by Pierre Balmain—to the oldest surviving cello (which once belonged to the French monarchy), amongst others. The best part? You can see them all without moving from the sofa. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your virtual exhibit visits!
Andy Warhol at Tate Modern, London, England
Typically, you would have to visit a museum in a major city to see Andy Warhol artwork right before your eyes, but now, you can see his famed creations from your own home. In this virtual exhibit—which had stints at the Whitney Museum in New York and the Art Institute of Chicago before heading abroad—you'll see Warhol works featuring the faces of Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and Andy Warhol himself.
Dale Chihuly, Merletto at the Traver Gallery in Seattle
The prolific glass blower Dale Chihuly unveils his latest body of work, Merletto, in his hometown of Seattle June 4. The exhibition's title comes from the Italian word for "lace" and refers to a new technique that the master of glass is incorporating into his work. The process involves blowing thin filaments of glass to create mesh-like patterns. Juxtaposed with Chihuly's organic, modern shapes, this intricate detail takes on a stunning effect. You can tour the show digitally on the gallery's website and observe the intense process behind the making of the pieces in a video here.
Fit For a Queen: Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s Wardrobe Created by Pierre Balmain at the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, Bangkok, Thailand
The Queen mother of Thailand, Sirikit, has her own museum dedicated to textiles, located on the same grounds as the Grand Palace, inside a circa 1870 building that once housed the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Royal Ceremony. Fit For a Queen: Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s Wardrobe Created by Pierre Balmain features extraordinary designs made specially for the Queen by Pierre Balmain.
Florentine Scagliola
Scagliola, a technique that originates from stucco and traces its roots back to the 1600s, is made using a combination of water, selenite, glue, and natural pigments. The Italian region of Emilia-Romagna has the oldest scagliola antiquities in all of Italy, which makes sense given the prominence of selenite in the Modena and Reggio Emilia Apennines. Explore the history and beauty of Florentine scagliola through this virtual exhibit.
The Art of Goldsmithery in Crotone
If you’re a connoisseur of opulent jewelry and the fascinating history of it all, The Art of Goldsmithery in Crotone virtual exhibit is right up your alley. This impressive art form began in 710 B.C. by Greek settlers, and, in the past 20 years, archaeologists have found Crotone creations made between 600 B.C. and 400 B.C., ranging from a golden tiara to a winged sphinx.
Ceramics in Messina
Ceramics first gained popularity in Messina, Italy in the 1700s, when many palaces incorporated ceramic decor as part of the furnishing of the interior and exterior. In addition to gorgeously vibrant ceramic plates—including a blue and white creation that evokes the Chinoiserie aesthetic—this exhibit also features images of items like a delightful vassoio (Italian for “tray”) decorated with lemons against a blue backdrop and whimsical leaves.
The Château of Chambord
Francis I of France was just 21 years old when he was appointed king in 1515, but he was not too young to have a palace constructed a few years later, in 1519. The Château de Chambord is the biggest château in the Loire Valley of France, with 426 rooms, 282 fireplaces, and 77 staircases. To further explore the history of this grand château, visit its virtual exhibit from Google Arts & Culture.
Unveiling the Mysteries of the King Cello at the National Music Museum, University of South Dakota
The oldest cello that is still in existence, known as King Cello, is believed to have been made in the mid-1500s by Andrea Amati, who created the first musical instruments from the violin family that we continue to play to this day. At some point between 1560 and 1574, a coat-of-arms, as well as a Latin adage that reads “Pietate et Iustitia” -- meaning piety and justice -- were painted onto King Cello. This remarkable instrument stayed in the French monarchy until the French Revolution, and it was previously on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2015.
Apuan-Versilia Marble
Apuan-Versilia marble is named for the Apuan Alps and the region of Versilia, both of which are located in Tuscany. Michelangelo himself used Apuan-Versilia marble, which he found after climbing and exploring the Apuan Alps for three years. Everything from ancient Roman monuments to aristocratic homes feature the highly coveted Apuan-Versilia marble, and we can certainly see why after visiting this virtual exhibit.
This story was originally published on 4/20/2020. It has been updated to reflect new information.
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