The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
(Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal)
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is a must see for all connoisseurs of fine arts
The world of fine art is rather a strange one. It allows you a glimpse into the minds of some of the world's greatest artists. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal) allows you to take that look into the minds of artists and see their amazing works.
The museum was founded in 1860 by Bishop Fulford in an attempt to encourage the appreciation of fine arts in the people of Montreal. The museum started life as many artists do, as a nomadic display in a variety of venues around Montreal. Is was only in 1877 that a permanent home for the museum was donated by Benaiah Gibb along with his collection of 72 canvases and 4 bronzes. Since then the collection has grown exponentially. There are now over 38 000 different works of art displayed in the museum's collections.
The works of art are displayed in four pavilions and grouped into categories. This makes it much easier for you to see those pieces of art that relate to a period of interest. The Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion is dedicated to archaeology and world cultures, the Liliane and David M. Stewart pavilion displays art works related to decorative arts and design. The Jean-Noel Desmarais pavilion houses the early to modern international art collection as well as the international contemporary art collection. The Claire and Marie Bourgie pavilion contains Quebec and Canadian art for something a little closer to home. You can see images of some of the art contained here on the museum's website. They are truly something to behold!
The museum also displays themed exhibitions on a regular basis. This offers you the chance to see some truly famous works that would otherwise be kept in the storage facilities of the museum. These exhibits feature artists such as Jules de Balincourt and Laurent Craste.
If fine art is something that inspires you or if you simply want to be fascinated and beguiled with what goes on in the minds of our finest artists, then the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is the ideal museum to visit.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes; Free admission to children under 12.The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: 1380 Rue Sherbrooke O, Montréal, QC H3G 1J5, Canada
Phone: (514) 285-2000
Official Website: The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Reviews
Rated out of 5
My favorite place in downtown, the museum is beautiful and it is also huge, if you go late you won't be able to visit it all, there are free activities from Monday to Sunday such as film festivals, art workshops for all ages and you can draw, paint, sculpt, stamp, or whatever you like to do to express yourself. There are tutors who explain how to use each technique.
Teacher Yudy Valencia - in the last week
The museum has a fantastic collection with a wide variety. They had a fantastic collection of romantic and impressionist paintings and some stunning pieces from Joan Miro, Picasso, Monet, Dali, Basquiat, etc. They had a very interesting area dedicated to Napoleon art, Netherlands Baroque art, and Japanese woodblock print art. I would a absolutely visit again.
They had a collaborative interactive sketch area to take turns adding to a sketch of portraits and I thought that was a super cool idea to have various people take part in a collective art piece.
The gift shops is great, I wish they had some more post card options of some of the 1800s realism/ romantic artwork because I would have absolutely purchased it.
The stargazing area was a bit underwhelming, but every other area was impressive.
Larissa S - a month ago
Museum is large with multiple buildings and great staircase. It offered a variety of art pieces and I love art museums so I would visit again but the placement and narrative on the art needs improvement. We also visited the fine art museum in Detroit on this trip and that was fantastic.
S EDoiron - a month ago
A quick subway ride from city center. A medium sized museum that had good collection. Several Rodins and Impressionists areas. The Saints, Sinners, Lovers and Fools Exhibit was excellent. Give yourself about 3 hours and enjoy lunch in the cafe.
Theresa Hoban - a month ago
such a nice and cozy place to visit on a calm day! the exhibits were free to anyone under 21, which makes it great for an affordable little get-together with friends. i've been there ever since i was young and this place will always be a favorite spot to relax at.
all their pieces (especially those in the building across the street) are gorgeous and timeless! the museum offers such a diverse variety of collections and exhibits that make the visit totally worth it!
kazue - 5 months ago
Directions
| Metro Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1 -Green | Guy-Concordia | 6 Minutes |
How to get to The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts by Metro
By Metro: Take Line 1 to Guy-Concordia Station and take the Guy Street exit. Go right from the exit and then right again at the corner walking northeast along Blvd de Maisonneuve to Bishop Street; then go left to Sherbrooke Street W then go right to the museum entrance which is just ahead. Note that while the museum itself occupies 4 Pavilions inside separate buildings, access is only via the Jean-Noël Desmarais Pavilion at 1380 Sherbrooke Street West.
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Photo Gallery
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Inside the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts cc licensed photo by Paul Lowry -
A view toward Mont Royal form inside the Musee des Beaux Arts cc licensed photo by John Walker -
Colorful glass art exhibition cc licensed photo by bobistraveling -
Photo Credit: art_inthecity - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: art_inthecity - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: art_inthecity - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: art_inthecity - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: art_inthecity - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: art_inthecity - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: art_inthecity - cc license via Flickr
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