The Louvre in Paris, France is probably the most famous art gallery in the world. While it can also be considered a museum the art housed in the Louvre is truly stunning. The most famous piece of art in the Louvre is the Mona Lisa, by Da Vinci. This painting has been stolen and recovered, and is now kept under high security. The Louvre also houses many other famous paintings by Da Vinci and hundreds of other famous artists. In New York City, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a premier location for beautiful art masterpieces. The art gallery has an amazing collection of American paintings that will stun and impress any visitor. There are also paintings and statues housed there from all over the world, including many famous artists such as Botticelli, Raphael, and El Greco. London has an amazing gallery known as The National Gallery. This gallery boasts of some of the finest examples of European art, including paintings by Raphael, Manet, Leonardo Da Vinci, Renoir, and Monet. This gallery has a very large number of paintings and some of the most famous ones are: Sunflowers, by Vincent van Gogh, The Virgin of the Rocks, by Leonardo Da Vinci, and Venus and Mars, by Sandro Botticelli. Other than the traditional art galleries found all over the world that house the old greats, there are many that focus on the contemporary arts of the twentieth century. The George Pompidou Center in Paris is one of the most famous contemporary art galleries and museums in the world. Even the building itself is totally contemporary, with all the ducts and piping on the outside. Contemporary art galleries and museums typically feature not only paintings, drawings, and prints, but exhibits of furniture, sound, light, and even music. Visiting these galleries can be a fascinating visit through the past few decades and shows how much style and taste has changed. Each major city in Europe typically has a traditional national art gallery, a contemporary gallery, and usually many more, including private art galleries. If you are visiting any major metropolitan center then a visit to the area’s many art galleries is a must. Most national galleries feature art from the history of their country. You can learn a great deal about a country and its culture by viewing the way their art has changed over the years. For those that want to possess these works of art, the only place to visit is the private galleries. The exhibits in national galleries are not for sale. While private galleries offer some good works of art, they do not house the greats such as the Renoirs or Van Gogh’s. Another option is to visit auction houses such as Christie’s that often hold art auctions. These auctions feature some stunning pieces that you can bid on and possibly acquire if the pockets are deep. Art is an important part of any history. Paying a visit to a gallery can transport you back in time, where you can see works produced by some of the most creative minds to ever exist.