From the Louvre to the Uffizi Gallery in one day
How modern technologies are transcending the boundaries between art, history, and the viewer
Imagine a world where you no longer have to squeeze through crowds just to catch a glimpse of the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, where you can admire Composition VII by Wassily Kandinsky at the Tretyakov Gallery without the rush and noise. How is it even possible?
Today, the digital revolution in art has created a new way of experiencing culture. Join us as we take a virtual stroll through some of the world’s most fascinating museums and galleries that have opened their digital doors to the public.
Starting with the Louvre
In 2024, nearly 9 million visitors passed through the halls of the Louvre, making it the most visited museum in the world. The museum is so vast that it’s nearly impossible to explore it all in just one day. Even a brisk walk to see the Mona Lisa might mean waiting in line for at least half an hour, if not longer.
Thanks to digital technology, you can now experience the masterpieces of the Louvre without the crowds. The museum has digitized around 40,000 exhibits, offering virtual tours that allow you to explore its treasures from the comfort of your home.
Pavel Tretyakov admired art and dreamed of bringing together the finest works of Russian art in a single space, accessible to anyone who wished to see them. However, he could hardly have imagined that one day, his collection would be available to millions worldwide at the click of a button.
Today, you can admire Portrait of an Unknown Woman by Ivan Kramskoi or Girl with Peaches by Valentin Serov – paintings so striking that even Tretyakov himself initially hesitated to display them, fearing they looked too unrealistically beautiful. And beyond these, the works of Repin, Malevich, Kandinsky, Levitan, Goncharova, and Vrubel now wait for visitors on the digital walls of the gallery.
Many travelers will confirm that getting to the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres is an adventure in itself. While the museum doesn’t house all of Dalí’s iconic works, it immerses visitors in a surreal dreamscape – an experience that can be felt even through an online tour. From the Rainy Taxi installation to the extravagant Mae West Room, the digital format lets you explore Dalí’s genius from multiple angles, uncovering hidden details you might not even notice in person. Now, you can step into his surreal universe without leaving home.
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
If Dalí’s museum transports us into the world of surrealism, then this Washington, D.C. institution takes us back to the distant past – to ancient civilizations and prehistoric creatures. With over 126 million exhibits, including a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, meteorites, rare gems, and fossils, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History tells the story of our planet like no other. It’s an extraordinary place, and now you don’t even need a U.S. visa to visit.
Ending with the Uffizi Gallery
Florence is home to numerous museums and galleries, but the Uffizi Gallery remains the ultimate sanctuary of Renaissance masterpieces. Typically, gaining entry requires standing in an endless queue, but now you can visit it virtually. Here, you’ll find Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, Michelangelo’s Doni Tondo, and Caravaggio’s haunting Medusa – works you’ve likely heard of at least once. While Florence itself might be a destination for your next summer vacation, the Uffizi Gallery is accessible right now.
Each museum is a gateway to history, where art comes alive on canvases and the halls buzz with the energy of centuries-old masterpieces. While online tours can’t fully capture the magic of being there in person, they offer something even more valuable – access. Now, the world’s greatest works of art are no longer limited to museum walls, they are waiting for you, just one click away. The museums remain the same; only the distance between them and the viewer has changed.
