It’s been my experience that most large cities have a large central art museum that contain substantial collections from all over the world. Paris has its Louvre, NYC the Met, Chicago the Art Institute, even Kansas City is blessed with the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. I’ve had the good fortune to visit each of those museums. Here in Boston, we have the Museum of Fine Arts. I’ve posted about my trips to the MFA in the past. The last time I visited the MFA was with my friend Michael Terrile, the art teacher. He provided incredible insights to many of the works that made me appreciate the gallery all the more.

The Boston metro is blessed with more than just the MFA to house its art collection. As the home of one of the world’s premier learning institutions, it stands to reason that Harvard University should have a world class art museum.  This year I’ve chosen to cross the Charles to Cambridge and explore the Harvard Art Museums as my next Terrile tutoring session.

It seems a little misleading to call them separate museums, as these venues all radiate from a central atrium. However, each of these galleries contain unique curations that stand alone, and are only linked by their address. There are major works from all the standard periods and countries. My favorite, though was the exhibits of 20th Century cubism, impressionism, and expressionism. Here we saw a Piet Mondrian and a Van Gogh self portrait. I know these aren’t exactly unique, but I love seeing works by masters, and knowing they’re so close to my home.

We saw many pieces, stopping here and there to discuss and admire. As much as we love the art, it can become overwhelming very quickly.  I think to enjoy an art museum, you have to know you will not see the entire collection, but what you see will be worth the visit. It’s kind of like a buffet that you can enjoy bits and pieces and feel satisfied with experience as a whole.  Michael makes any art experience fascinating. Harvard was a great museum to experience together.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller