Helene S.
Yelp
East meets West at the Walters Art Museum.
Interesting to see an extensive collection of art that was collected by a father and son over a century ago. William Thompson Walters and his son, Henry Walters, travelled extensively in the late 1800s to early 1900s collecting paintings, drawings, sculptures and antiquities. The collection was so extensive that Henry Walters built a "home" to showcase the collection. Upon his death in 1931, Henry Walters bequeathed his entire collection, which included more than 22,000 works at the time, the Gallery building, and his adjacent mansion to the City of Baltimore "for the benefit of the public."
Amazing to see such an eclectic collection which includes Egyptian mummies, Roman sarcophagi, biblical manuscripts, Lalique Art Deco jewelry, European portraits and Chinese ceramics. Amazing to see how the family acquired collections of ancient art from Egypt, Greece, Rome, Asia and the Americas. The Medieval and Renaissance European Art collection were interesting. From an Imperial Faberge Easter Egg and a portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart to an alligator hung above a door, you never know what to expect from gallery to gallery.
The galleries themselves are also so beautiful as well. Love the open courtyard and elaborate high sculpted ceilings. The Original Main Gallery and the Annex are so different, but fun to explore. The Walters Art Museum is open and free to the public.