Private: Tour The Art Institute Of Chicago

Tour The Art Institute Of Chicago Photo #1 of 2 Photo copyright ShoreTrips.com.

Overview

Are you aware of the Art Institute of Chicago and its influence on the world stage?

Established in 1879, the Art Institute of Chicago has a very exclusive collection of over 300,000 works of art that range from ancient artifacts through artwork from today's foremost artists. Over 1.5 million visitors come annually to view the collections, the special exhibits and to participate in the educational opportunities developed for the public. Now even more come to the facility, drawn by the recent addition of Renzo Piano's Terzo Piano, the contemporary restaurant for brunch, lunch and dinner.

Located in an enormous Beaux-Arts complex in the heart of Chicago, just a block from Lake Michigan and adjacent to Millennium Park and Maggie Daley Park, the Art Institute is composed of eight buildings and covers nearly one million square feet. It is most renowned for its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works, from Seurat's 'A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte' to Picasso's 'Old Guitarist' to Warhol's 'Four Mona Lisas', there is much to cover. On this three-hour tour of the Art Institute led by an art historian, curator, or artist, you will learn not only about the museum’s diverse collection, but you will also discuss its history and the wealthy patrons, industrialists, and donors who created the collection.

The tour will have an architectural slant that begins in the 1890s and the discussion will connect the artwork to the city of Chicago. As the most popular collections within the museum tend to be the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist pieces, your guide will make sure to discuss in detail a few works within this sphere. Another highlight here is the Asian Collection. Japanese architect Tado Ando designed the building and it now houses nearly 5 millennia of work from China, Korea, Japan, India and southeast Asia, as well as the Near East and the Middle East. There are over 35,000 objects on display and your guide will mention a handful that are very representative of the collection.

Chicago Institute of Art also has a major American Art collection including pieces by Edward Hopper, Alfred Stieglitz, John Singer Sargent, James McNeill Whistler, Mary Cassatt and Winslow Homer. Included in the Modernist holdings are iconic images by Grant Wood, Georgia O'Keeffe, Edward Hopper and the Mexican muralist Diego Rivera. We’ll be sure to both examine well-known highlights and uncover unexpected delights, tracing the connections between and importance of all of the pieces.

Upon the completion of your tour, you will be familiar with the museum and can roam independently. You will also be in the midst of Millenium Park, another highlight of the city and very interactive.

- Consider having lunch at Terzo Piano, reservations available on Open Table, after your tour.
- Please dress comfortably for your walk through the Art Institute.

- You will be asked to check your coat and any bags and cameras before your entry to the Museum.
- There are many steps to enter the Museum. Please notify ShoreTrips in advance if you need an accessible entry.

Days offered: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

Departures:

• 10:30 AM, duration: 3 hours