Monday, June 24, 2013

Art Institute of Chicago


The last thing we did on our mini-vacation last week was visit The Art Institute of Chicago. It was one of two things we went to see for our final day there, and we seriously we could have done just the visit there alone for the entire day. It was truly that fabulous (and that spacious)!


The weekend we were there, the Chicago Blackhawks were also in the hockey playoffs. The city was hopping with fans, and The Art Institute was no exception. See the hockey helmets on their lions?  Fun!!


It was absolutely gorgeous inside, and the tickets you get are good for all day, so if you leave, keep them, you might find yourself with a (good) nagging sensation to go back.

There were many things on display, and we did not get to them all (there is no doubt in my mind that one day soon we will paying the museum a return visit). Where we did spend a good amount of time was with the art.


They had the work of Claude Monet,


Pierre-Auguste Renoir,



Vincent van Gogh,



Peter Paul Rubens,


Piero di Cosimo



Georges-Pierre Seraut


And Grant Wood, which reminded me of Chuck and his wife over at Secondary Roads because that's the painting he uses for his Wordless Wednesday avatar. What a funny association to make for a world-famous painting. See, blogging really does get knit into the everyday fabric of our life doesn't it (Hi Chuck & Sylvia!)?  :)

There were so many other things to see...furniture, tapestry, sculpture, and so on and so forth...and there were several places to eat inside the museum including Terzo Piano a gourmet restaurant that won the Best of Chicago award back in 2010. I would have liked to have sampled lunch there, but we spent so much time in the art section that we didn't get around to much else (which I regret and don't regret, if that makes an ounce of sense).  Walking around The Art Institute of Chicago was in a word, 'amazing.' There is no other way I would have wanted to spend our last day in Chicago.

If you want to learn more about the museum, you can visit their website here: http://www.artic.edu/

You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and/or YouTube.

Admission is $23 for adults, $17 for students and/or seniors, and it's FREE for children 13 and under.

158 comments:

  1. I love Monet. I've several prints of his work in our home. Love all things Monet.

    Have a terrific day. Hugs. ☺

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    1. His work is definitely a universal favorite. Thanks for visiting.

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  2. They have some amazing works of art there. I would love to visit someday. A vacay in Chicago is looking better and better.

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    1. Totally awesome museum. Totally awesome city. :)

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  3. Oh, I too love Monet and Van Gogh, too. Thank you for sharing and have been to have few art museums in NYC (since I live in NY), but totally enjoyed your tour of this museum here! Thank you Rosey!! :)

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    1. I think this museum is the second largest in the US next to the Metropolitan in your city. :)

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  4. Wow they have some great artistry. Unfortunately I live quite far from Chicago but thanks for the virtual share.

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  5. So pretty! I LOVE art! I love to paint and gain inspiration of all sorts when I visit an art museum. Hopefully, someday I will be able to visit this place. Thanks for the great review of it :)

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    1. I don't have an ounce of painting talent, but I love to look at it. :)

      Thanks for reading, April. :)

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  6. I've never been to Chicago, but the Art Museum definitely looks like a must-see! Thanks for sharing your trip so beautifully and vividly!
    God bless,
    Laurie

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    1. Thank you for visiting and reading the post, Laurie. :) It's a great place to go if you're in the area for whatever reason. :)

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  7. All the times I've been to Chicago and I've never visited. Thanks for the virtual tour!

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    1. I think I could spend a week in there and be happy. :)

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  8. Wow. I've not been to a museum here for a long visit and I would LOVE to!
    What amazing art they have. I just want to see it all!

    Glad you enjoyed this adventure Rosey!

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    1. I did, Colette. One of the nicest I've had, thanks for stopping by. :)

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  9. We went there as well. I have a FB friend that works there. She was like, "You should have told me you were going. I could have gotten you in for free." Well I don't tell very many people before hand to tell them I'm going out of town.

    There was a Roy Lichtenstein show when we were there. It was so cool. Mica loved his comics.

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    1. Hurrah that you've been there! It's so huge and well laid out, isn't it??? I am so glad we went to visit.

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  10. This looks so awesome! It's really amazing to look at famous pieces of art and stand so close to them. It's almost overwhelming!

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    1. It really is, my daughter said, "These are by the real artists???" Even she was amazed, and was looking so closely at them to see the details. It was nice to see so many we knew too. :)

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  11. Thanks for sharing the pictures! Looks like a very interesting place to visit!

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    1. It was very interesting, Melissa. I couldn't have seen everything in a week, I'm sure of it. And nice people working there too.

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  12. I have never been to an art museum before! Its beautiful!!

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    1. It as beautiful! Thank you for reading/visiting!

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  13. Oh really lovely and interesting pics sweetie!
    Now I´m following you in GFC and BLoglovin´
    I hope your follow me back in BOTH!
    xx

    www.sakuranko.com

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  14. I was really surprised to see the lion wearing a statue. Good thing you mentioned the hockey playoffs else I would have spent a good amount of time try to dig up the reason :)
    Have a great week!

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    1. Hockey stuff was all over the city that weekend. What a great fan base they've got over there! :)

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  15. Love the hockey helmets on the lions, too funny :) Looks like a fun place!

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  16. Never knew there were places to eat inside there too. A one stop shop.

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    1. Several places. There's even an outside place to eat with art in the fountain. Maybe next time we'll swing by the one that has kid-friendly snacks. :)

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  17. I have been to Chicago briefly thrice. I have never actually been out except amc or that huge mall which has taco bell at michigan ave.
    Thank for this and previous post. I now know what to do and expect when I go next.
    xo
    Z

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    1. We didn't do any shopping there, but they have some of the best shopping in the world on The Magnificent Mile. :)

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  18. Wow, it looks like you had an interesting time! I haven't been to an art institute or museum in a long, long time. The Vincent Van Gogh painting looks amazing!

    Would you like to follow each other on Bloglovin?
    Junniku blog [Click!]
    - A Korean fashion, beauty and lifestyle blog!

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    1. There were a few Vincent van Gogh paintings, they were all nice.

      I'm following back, thanks for the visit.

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  19. This looks wonderful. My favorite has always been the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago.

    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2013/06/musical-monday-dont-you-want-me.html

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    1. That's where we're hoping to visit on our next (and probably final) visit this summer. :)

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  20. How neat! I've only ever been to the DIA, which was a LONG time ago. It'd be neat to be able to wander through some famous art again sometime :-)

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    1. I've been there too, Krisite, when the fellas went to a Lions game, we went up the road to the art museum. :)

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  21. Amazing post...I really like your blog.^^
    Maybe follow each other on bloglovin?
    Let me know follow you then back.
    Lovely greets Nessa

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    1. Thank you for the visit, I see you're in Germany. I look forward to reading more & I'm following.

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  22. How fun! I love art :) I love that they had Blackhawks helmets on the lions...hilarious! Guess they really get into their hockey :)

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    1. I don't know how it is during a regular season, but it was playoffs and fans were everywhere! :)

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  23. love how they support their hockey team! thats pretty awesome they put the helmet on the lion!

    Delightful Ideas
    No Bake Cake Pops Giveaway

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  24. I love the hockey helmet on the lion =) This would deffantly be on my MUST VISIT list if I ever get to Chicago!

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    1. I did think that was fun, and I bet you would love it. :) Thanks for the visit/comment. :)

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  25. I love visit a Museum! Need to find time to visit one this summer. Thanks for sharing Chicago with us!

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  26. Great photos of the art work! Sounds like you had a wonderful visit.

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    1. I had that cheapie point-and-shoot because my camera broke the day before...and no flash (because it was in the museum). I was delighted any came out at all. :)

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  27. Thank you sooo much for the follow,dear.^^
    Follow you back on bloglovin and gfc,too.
    Do you also follow me on gfc?
    Lovely greets

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    1. I didn't because I keep hearing it's going to be discontinued in a few days, but I've gone over and done it now in case that's not the case.

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  28. I live in Indianapolis and have never been to Chicago. I really would love to visit this museum though.

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    1. I cannot even adequately note how much space and how many wonderful items are on display. It's really just huge!!

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  29. I was so happy to see this post because I ADORE the artists you featured here. Seraut and Monet are my absolute faves!

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    1. So many good displays, it was def. an awesome museum. :)

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  30. Great pictures! Thank you for sharing, looks like a wonderful experience.

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  31. I've never been to Chicago, but it's only a state away!This looks like a really lovely place to check out~

    Heather @ www.craftcravings.com

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    1. We're next door too. Beautiful city with a lot of wonderful things to do!

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  32. Your mini vacay is really well-documented and it makes me really want to visit that city! Are those paintings in the museum all originals? If so, that is an amazing collection in that city! It's a must to go and see!

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    1. All originals. I only touched on a very small portion of what they museum offers, there's really so much more!

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  33. Oh I haven't been to an art gallery for so long! I usually go when there is an exhibition I want to see, but now I don't live in a major city I am missing it :(

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    1. We live in a small town too, and have to travel to see anything (except a grocery store and a post office, lol). :)

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  34. i love museums ;)
    that is so funny about the hockey helmets...
    glad to see the city supporting its home teams ;)

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  35. I could spend all day, or probably all week, in the museum.

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  36. Wonderful painting and valuable pieces. I would love to visit that place if we happen to go to Chicago.

    http://www.beautyisintheeyeoftheb.com/?p=4840
    jheylo

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    1. I anticipate a return visit, but we'll allocate the whole day for it instead of just the portion of one. :)

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  37. Awww... so lucky! What a collection! These are all so beautiful!

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    1. It was a fantastic lot of paintings. I wanted to see the other things in the museum, but I didn't want to rush through the paintings, so we really didn't get to explore the other areas. Next time. :)

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  38. Thanks for the info Rosie - it's always a " must " on my list to visit local museums - this one looks great!
    And coming from a hockey city - that helmut on the lion is fabulous lol !!!
    XOX

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    1. Hockey fans get so into it, don't they? We're Red Wings fans here, but I still totally appreciated the collective team spirit thing they had going on. :)

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  39. Love this post, I love going to museums. Thanks for sharing

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  40. Could get lost in there for days

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  41. Replies
    1. Certainly worth the visit if you're around Chicago at any point. :)

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  42. Oh I would LOVE to see this! I've never been to Chicago but when I do this will definitely be on my list!
    -Jamie
    ChatterBlossom

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    1. It does not disappoint in any way. It's a visit well worth taking. :)

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  43. Wow! This looks like such a nice museum. Thanks for sharing.

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  44. I have never been to such a gorgeous museum, the ones we have here are not anything like this.

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    1. I've never been to one in the US like this, it was amazing.

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  45. FWIW, that avatar is from the official Wordless Wednesday blog. I have thought about posing with Sylvia for our own version of Grant Woods' famous painting.

    I tend to favor the impressionist painters.

    The Hawks won the Stanley cup! I stayed up way past my bedtime last night to watch them in their come-from-behind victory. It was very exciting toward the end when the Hawks scored two goals within 17 seconds of playing time.

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    1. I saw that they won, hurrah for Chicago! :)

      I think you and Sylvia re-enacting the pose would be great. :)

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  46. hi rosey! i've been thinking about you and am happy to be catching up...again! the art institute looks like it was such a fun time. the artwork is beautiful! thanks for always sharing the details with us!! i hope your week is off to a wonderful start! xoxox

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    1. Every week in the summer is a good week. :) I hope baby Piper's doing great. I've looked a couple of times, but know how fun/busy it is to have a new little one in the house. :)

      Glad you stopped by and I hope you are all doing great there too.

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  47. We missed this on our trip to Chicago, but I would have loved it. My husband and I made some plum wine from our trees, and we used a Grant Woods style label on the bottles with our faces on it. It makes everyone laugh;)

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    1. The bottle sounds fun/awesome. That's a great momento. :)

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  48. If I ever make it to Chicago, I have lots of places to go and see now. Thanks for this Rosey.

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  49. An Art Institute is some place that I have never been and would love to visit. I love that the lion has on the hockey helmet. lol

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    1. I thought that helmet was the best, lol. Fun. :)

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  50. We've been thinking of hitting the museums up this summer there. Looks like you had a great time. I remember doing the Georges-Pierre Seraut work in 8th grade art class. Isn't that one a bunch of colored dots?

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    1. Pointillism. I remember that lesson too, but we didn't replicate it, how fun for kids to do! And you still remember it, which means it was a good project. :)

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  51. I had a friend who went here for school. I'd love to visit!

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    1. I think it would be a great city for higher education...tons of places to work too for an internship (depending on one's major).

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  52. Looks like a great place to visit!

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  53. I have never been to Chicago, but my husband goes quite often for work....I'll have to let him know about this amazing museum...and make him take me someday!

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    1. It's worth the trip, it really is, and they have different features going on all of the time too. It looks like it's never the same visit.

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  54. I haven't been to Chicago, but it sounds like a wonderful city filled with tons of things to do and see! I have a soft spot for museums since living in DC and visiting the ones there. I love the photos!

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    1. DC does have some pretty amazing museums too, and is another great city with a lot to do, always!

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  55. Rosey, I would love to visit - shame that they charge though. Our art gallery and museum are free. Cheers

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    1. There's no charge for the kids (13 and under). I bet your art gallery is fabulous too!

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  56. Awe that brings so many memories - I miss Chicago - I was there too - don't they have the best things there? Sandie

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    1. They do Sandie, and now I'm out of Chicago posts...back to the daily grind. ;) It was sure fun being there though, and writing about it too.

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  57. Wow! The Art is so wonderful! I love the pictures and the lion with that helmet!:)

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    1. Wasn't that a hoot, Judy? I thought it was fun they did that, and unexpected too. :) And then the team won the cup (yesterday), so I bet the fans were just ecstatic!

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  58. sounds like you had just an amazing mini vacay, I hope your all rested now :)

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    1. All rested and ready to go again (too bad time and money restrain me). ;)

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  59. Wow! Beautiful artwork!. I've visited Chicago before but did not get to see the Art Institute. Next time! Glad you had a mini vacation

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    1. There's so much to see in Chicago!! Thanks for stopping by to visit. :)

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  60. Sounds to me like you had a great time on your mini vacation and enjoyed your time at the Art Institute of Chicago. I do like the picture of the Blackhawks helmet on the Lions. Sorry you did not get to eat at Terzo Piano, but that gives you an option to go back another time with plans to eat and see the stuff you missed. Enjoyed reading about your visit..

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    1. Thank you, Dorothy...for reading and leaving such a nice comment. :)

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  61. Sounds really neat. It's been a long time since I've been to an art museum. And even longer since I've been to Chicago!

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    1. If we moved, I would so miss being close to Chicago. I have really come to love the city.

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  62. wow, i so wanna go there :)( thanks for sharing)

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  63. Thank you for this delightful post. I love art museums and have not traveled to this one but hope to in the future.

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    1. If you're in the Chicago area and love museums, it's def. a must-do! :) Thanks for your visit.

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  64. This is totally awesome. I've never been to a real museum. The pictures are fabulous.

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    1. It was a gem of a find!! I should have known it would be spectacular considering it's in Chicago (I love Chicago). It was a happy surprise. :)

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  65. OH! I would LOVE to go there! Thanks for the great pics so I can pretend in the meantime! :)

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  66. It's so beautiful! Both the building and the art inside!

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  67. I've never been there, but it's one place I've always hoped to go. Love the lion with the helmet!

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  68. I love going to Art Institutes, but haven't been to this one. I have been close, but never took the time to do the institute. Maybe one day.

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  69. This looks like a wonderful place to visit. I really enjoy Art exhibits.

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  70. So beautiful - and the place is really big. I wish I can visit there in person someday - I will be able to appreciate more of it, I'm sure. :)

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  71. The Art institute of Chicago is one of the biggest reasons I want to visit Chicago! I have always wanted to go to this art exhibit!

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  72. Looks like a really interesting place to visit! I will have to add it to my list of places to check out next time I am in Chicago.

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  73. I love art and art museums they are my favorite places to visit.

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  74. I love museums! It is always one of my favorite things to do on trips! They really have some amazing pieces there!

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  75. I love the art featured here from your visit. I do love museums

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  76. We went on a school field trip once because of the Impressionist collection there, and I've loved it ever since. My favorite painting and one that is over my head at this very moment is the Seurat.

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  77. I have only been to Chicago once and unfortunately the people I went with only wanted to shop. I would have preferred to see this, it is amazing.

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  78. Looks like an amazing place! I have never been to States, but one day I would love to visit Chicago.

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  79. Such an amazing place to visit! Fun and educational. I hope to take the kids this summer for a visit (Kim)

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  80. Looks like a beautiful museum. My hubby would love to visit it.

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  81. I would love to visit this place! When I ever get the chance to visit Chicago I will be sure to stop by this museum!

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  82. I live in Michigan I have always wanted to go to Chicago. The art museum looks fun. My 6 year old loves going to art museums usually we wait and go on the free days. I loved the photos you shared.

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  83. I passed this Art Institute in Chicago last year when our family was there. Next time we visit, I will definitely make time to go inside.

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  84. I spent a few months in Chicago but never made it to the Art institute. Looks like I need to if I ever visit again. Great pictures!

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  85. I have not been to this museum but I would love to. I love Renoir and they have some great examples

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  86. I've never been to Chicago.. I so very much want to go. This would be on the schedule for sure!

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  87. I love art museums. I haven't been to one in a while since leaving NYC. If I'm ever in Chicago I'll have to check out this one.

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  88. I would love to see this Institute of Chicago! I love Monet and Renoir and the others, too! Wow!

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  89. Love visiting Chicago and this is one of my absolute favorite places to go to there, a lot of amazing artwork!

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  90. I haven't been to the art institue of Chicago since I was a kid! We were going to visit two summers ago but plans changed. I still want to visit!

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  91. I sometimes love to go up to see the new displays at the Art Institute. I think it is a great place, and recommend it to anyone.

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  92. funny how many of those pictures i knew ... would be a great place to visit

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  93. Hve not been here since i was school age

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  94. I'd love to go back there again. We saw a Litchenstein exhibit there that could not compare to what's in the art history books.

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  95. This would be a great way to spend a day. And the helmets on the lions are pretty cute, lol.

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