The Chrysler Museum of Art is located at 245 West Olney Road, just across Brambleton Avenue from downtown Norfolk Virginia.
"The Quilts of Gee's Bend" and "Photography Speaks" temporary exhibitions were attracting numerous visitors when I toured the museum. They were the latest in an impressive series of exhibitions that augment the permanent collection and keep the attraction fresh.
Permanent galleries are arranged by period and style. Glass galleries take up a large portion of the first floor, and include early Roman glass to the modern work of Dale Chihuly. Stueben Glass Works vases, William Morris urns are impressive; as is a large stained glass window by Tiffany Studios (Portrait of Woman in a Pergola with Wisteria).
Fascinating objects large and small fill galleries of Greco-Roman, Indian, African, Egyptian, Asian, and Pre-Columbian work.
On the second floor, the galleries are from the 13th century to modern art. Bernini's last work is one of the many highlights. Ready for some name-dropping? How about Caliari, Rubens, van Dyck, and Boucher. Americans are well represented too -- Benjamin West, Albert Bierstadt, Edward Hicks, Winslow Homer, Thomas Cole, and Asher Durand.
The Impressionism gallery includes paintings from Renoir, Degas, Monet, Cassatt and other masters. Modern art leaves me cold, but there's a lot of it here and I'm sure it's of the finest quality. Photography and sculpture galleries complete the second floor collections.
The Chrysler Museum of Art is obviously worth a lengthy visit during any trip to Norfolk VA. The beautiful art is well presented in classy surroundings. See the official website of the Chrysler Museum of Art for more information.
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