As an art lover, it has always been my dream to visit famous art galleries around the world, especially in Europe. However, due to budget constraints and soaring inflation, travel has been the least of my priorities. But that does not mean that I have to set aside my dream of seeing art as well.
Technology has created ease for us in many aspects of our lives. Imagine my shock when I discovered that technology could help me fulfill my dream too!
Due to rapid digitalization, most museums and art galleries are jumping on the bandwagon of embracing technology. They are doing so by digitizing their displays and introducing virtual tours. These help art and history lovers all around the world to see them without having to travel thousands of miles. Plus, not queueing up in never-ending lines is a big bonus!
Let us explore how virtual tours work and the best art galleries that allow virtual tours.
The Art and Science Behind Virtual Tours
A virtual tour is a 360-degree experience that allows us to virtually ‘visit’ places without being physically there. This means we can see all around a place by scrolling up, down, left, or right on our computer screen.
Virtual tours are inherently dependent on technology. From using specialized cameras that cover every inch of space and using special software to stitch the photographs together to storing them on a server so that they are accessible online, technology lays the foundation of virtual tours.
Another important aspect of virtual tours is the internet. It allows the virtual tours to be available to a global audience, making them accessible with just a few clicks. In fact, having high-speed internet allows us to experience high-resolution tours as well, where we can zoom in on the tiniest of details. Imagine being able to zoom in on a painting so much that you can see its brush strokes. Therefore, before you sign up for a virtual tour, make sure you have a high-speed and stable internet connection. In case you don’t, you can get Spectrum Deals, which gets you lightning-fast internet at a super affordable price.
Art Galleries that Allow Virtual Tours
There are many art galleries that now provide virtual tours. I am sharing three of my personal favorite ones.
National Gallery – London
If you are an art fanatic, then you must know about the National Gallery, London’s breathtaking painting collection. With over 2300 pieces of art, you can see European art from the 13th century. Moreover, the National Gallery houses artworks from the late medieval period to the French Impressionist and Renaissance as well. The National Gallery’s virtual tours allow you to see all the amazing paintings from the comfort of your home. You can see them up close with a VR headset. Or if you do not have one, you can also view them simply from your desktop computer or your phone. Lastly, the virtual tours are divided into specially curated tours like the Director’s Tour and the Fit for a Queen Exhibition.
The Louvre – Paris
Simply put, the Louvre in Paris is legendary when it comes to art. With famous exhibits like the Mona Lisa and the Raft of Medusa, people queue up from around the world just to catch a glimpse. However, that glimpse is pretty underwhelming when you are surrounded by throngs of tourists and are being constantly pushed around. With the Louvre’s multiple virtual tours available on their website, you can see all of the artistic masterpieces up close, without several tourist heads coming in the way. Some tours are exclusively available in VR (Virtual Reality), like Mona Lisa where you can get all the information around it as well. Other virtual tours are categorized into different collections like ‘The Body in Movement’ and ‘The Advent of the Artist.’
Rijksmuseum – Amsterdam
When we talk about Dutch art, it is impossible for Van Gogh to not pop up in the conversation. The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is the perfect place for you to see the works of post-impressionist painter Van Gogh. Well, you might not see The Starry Night, but you can see his other works like the ‘View of Amsterdam from Central Station’ and ‘Riverbank with Trees.’ Apart from Van Gogh, you can see more Dutch masterpieces like ‘The Night Watch’ by Rembrandt and ‘The Milkmaid’ by Vermeer. You can do so with the Rijksmuseum’s guided video tours and interactive virtual tours. These tours allow you to see these pieces up close, from your home.
Virtual tours are a great way for us art fanatics to see world-famous galleries without traveling and waiting in long lines. What technology can help us do is truly fascinating while we sit in our homes.