The Chrysler Museum of Art

Frommer's Review

Built in 1932 as the Norfolk Museum of Arts & Sciences, this imposing Italian Renaissance building on The Hague inlet was renamed in 1971 when Walter P. Chrysler, Jr., gave a large portion of his collection to the city. Today it's Virginia's finest art museum, spanning artistic periods from ancient Egypt to the present and including one of the finest and most comprehensive glass collections in the world. Adjoining is an outstanding collection of Art Nouveau furniture. Other first-floor galleries exhibit ancient Indian, Islamic, Asian, African, and pre-Columbian art. Most second-floor galleries are devoted to painting and sculpture, particularly Italian baroque and French, including works by Monet, Renoir, Matisse, Braque, Bernini, and Rouault. American art holdings include 18th- and 19th-century paintings by Charles Willson Peale, Benjamin West, John Singleton Copley, and Thomas Cole, and 20th-century works by Thomas Hart Benton, Calder, Kline, Warhol, Rauschenberg, and Rosenquist. A permanent gallery is devoted solely to photography, showcasing everyone from Walker Evans to Diane Arbus.

Pick up a free audio tour at the information desk, which will explain some of the key items as you see them. Allow at least 2 hours here, half a day to do it complete justice.

The museum administers the Moses Myers House and sells combination tickets covering the two places.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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