9 Must-Visit Cities for Art Lovers This Fall: World-Class Exhibitions Await
Art enthusiasts, this fall promises an exceptional lineup of exhibitions across nine global cities. From immersive installations in prestigious museums to intimate gallery discoveries, these destinations offer unparalleled cultural experiences worth traveling for.
Paris
Begin in Paris with the immersive Van Gogh, Starry Night at the Atelier des Lumières digital museum, where projections of the Dutch master's iconic works envelop visitors (through Jan. 5). At the Musée d’Orsay, Degas at the Opera explores the artist's deep ties to the Opéra de Paris, featuring stage scenes, dressing rooms, audiences, and his famed ballet dancers (through Jan. 19). The Picasso Museum presents Picasso: Magic Paintings, delving into one of his most emotional periods (through Feb. 23). Design fans should visit Fondation Louis Vuitton for Inventing a New World, showcasing Charlotte Perriand's furniture, objets, and interior replicas (through Feb. 24). The Louvre's monumental Leonardo da Vinci exhibition commemorates the 500th anniversary of his death—reservations essential (through Feb. 24). Conclude at the Grand Palais with the El Greco retrospective, the first major show of his work in France featuring over 75 pieces, alongside the Toulouse-Lautrec retrospective (El Greco through Feb. 10; Toulouse-Lautrec through Jan. 27).
Boston
The Museum of Fine Arts shines with Women Take the Floor, an all-female exhibition occupying the entire third floor (through May 3, 2021). En route to the exit, admire Mural: Jackson Pollock | Katharina Grosse, pairing Pollock's largest painting with Grosse's contemporary commission (through Jan. 27). Explore ancient artistry in Ancient Nubia Now (through Jan. 20). At the Harvard Art Museums, Crossing Lines, Constructing Home redefines displacement and belonging in contemporary art (through Jan. 5). The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum hosts Raphael and the Pope’s Librarian (through Jan. 30), marking the 500th anniversary of Raphael's death. Note the empty frames from the 1990 heist—the highest-value private property theft in history—and stay tuned for the upcoming film adaptation.
Mexico City
Mexico City's vibrant art scene thrives in historic Chapultepec Park at the Museo de Arte Moderno. Anchor your visit with The Two Fridas: History of Two Cities, centered on Frida Kahlo's poignant double self-portrait chronicling her New York-to-Paris transition (through Jan.). Also essential: Cuba: The Uniqueness of Design (through Mar. 8) and Confines, Confluences and Conformities photography exhibit (through Nov. 24). Time your trip for the Gran Salón Fair (Nov. 8–10), spotlighting contemporary Mexican illustration. For masterpieces, Museo Soumaya displays European Old Masters and the Art of New Spain, including El Greco and Bruegel (through August).
New York City
Following a $450 million renovation, the Museum of Modern Art dazzles with Projects 110: Michael Armitage, blending African materials and European influences in eight paintings (through Jan. 20), plus refreshed permanent collection displays. Uptown, Bard Graduate Center Gallery examines French Fashion, Women, and the First World War (through Jan. 5). Sculpture aficionados head to the Frick Collection for Bertoldo di Giovanni: The Renaissance of Sculpture in Medici Florence (through Jan. 12). Outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Wangechi Mutu’s provocative bronzes grace the facade (The NewOnes, will free Us through Jan. 12). Downtown, The Drawing Center presents The Pencil Is a Key, drawings by incarcerated artists including Gustave Courbet (through Jan. 15).
Toronto
Toronto’s Biennial of Art tackles contemporary issues across 15+ sites (through Dec. 1), highlighted by The Drowned World apocalyptic films in a geodesic dome. Rewind to the 16th century at the Art Gallery of Ontario with Early Rubens (through Jan. 5), or fast-forward to Hito Steyerl: This is the Future (through Feb. 23) in Frank Gehry’s architectural masterpiece. The Textile Museum of Canada showcases Wild, material-based flora and fauna (through Mar.). Street art fans: explore Graffiti Alley.
Johannesburg
Experience emerging talent at the Joburg Fringe festival in the Art Room gallery (through Nov. 30), featuring affordable works by eight artists. At Gallery MOMO, War of the Roses by Raël Jero Salley offers moody paintings (through Dec. 13). The Johannesburg Art Gallery debuts The Art of Comics with South African graphic novels and workshops (through Nov. 17). From Nov. 5, University of the Witwatersrand celebrates David Koloane: Chronicles of a Resilient Visionary, honoring a key Apartheid-era activist-artist.
Tel Aviv
The Museum of Art extends hours to midnight (except Fridays and Sundays) in November for Tamar Hirschfeld: Neuland video installation and A New Age: The Spiritual in Art with Marina Abramović and Hilma af Klint (through Feb. 2). Catch the International Photography Festival (Nov. 28–Dec. 7) and Illustration Week (Nov. 21–30), with a collectible illustrated map.
Miami
Miami Art Week (Dec. 5–8) peaks with Art Basel featuring 4,000+ artists, more Latin American works, and the new Meridian Sector. Highlights include Art Miami (Dec. 3–8), Spectrum Miami (Dec. 4–8), Red Dot Miami (Dec. 4–8), and Contemporary Digital Art Fair (Dec. 5–8). Visit Artechouse for Refik Anadol’s Infinite Space retrospective (through Jan.), and Nina Johnson Gallery for Nevine Mahmoud’s Bella Donna sculptures, including a 300-pound marble cherry (through Jan. 4).
Tokyo
In Ueno, the historic subway station hosts Reminding Future: Metal Silence 2019 with Cristina Lucas’s Unending Lighting and Fernando Sánchez Castillo’s Tutor bronze tree (Fridays/weekends through Nov. 17). Ueno Park features Floating Nomad (Nov. 9–10) and Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum’s Masterpieces of Impressionism: The Courtauld Collection. Nearby, Nezu Museum presents The Tea Ceremony in Edo (Nov. 16–Dec. 23), honoring a renowned tea master’s tricentennial.
