Art Institute of Chicago

Q: What are the most famous paintings at the Art Institute?

Edward Hopper's Nighthawks, Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, and Grant Wood's American Gothic. All three are icons of American art.

Q: What Impressionist paintings are here?

One of the best Impressionist collections outside Paris. Renoir's Two Sisters, Caillebotte's Paris Street; Rainy Day, and Post-Impressionist works by Cézanne fill the second floor galleries.

Q: When is the Art Institute free?

Illinois residents get free entry on certain weekday evenings (check the website for current schedule). Children under 14 are always free. Regular admission is around $25 for adults. Hopper's Nighthawks is in the American art galleries on the first floor.

Q: What else is worth seeing besides paintings?

The Thorne Miniature Rooms (68 tiny furnished rooms) are a hidden gem. The Japanese print collection is world-class. Toulouse-Lautrec's At the Moulin Rouge is in the modern European galleries. The Modern Wing's rooftop terrace has great city views.

Q: How long should I spend at the Art Institute?

At least 3-4 hours for the highlights. The Impressionist galleries alone could take an hour. The museum is massive, with nearly 300,000 objects across multiple buildings connected by the Modern Wing bridge.

Chicago, United States

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Visitor Information

Museum Address

111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603, USA

Chicago, United States

Ticket Prices

$25 adults (under 14 free)

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Featured Artists

15 artists in database

1Wedgwood Manufactory36 works 2Ancient Egyptian (Unknown)34 works 3Ancient Roman (Unknown)27 works 4Rembrandt van Rijn23 works 5Edgar Degas20 works

The Art Institute of Chicago opened in 1879 and ranks as one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States. The Beaux-Arts building on Michigan Avenue, guarded by two bronze lions, holds nearly 300,000 works spanning 5,000 years. The 2009 Modern Wing designed by Renzo Piano added significant gallery space and a pedestrian bridge to Millennium Park.

The Impressionist and Post-Impressionist galleries are among the best outside Paris. Georges Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jatte and Edward Hopper's Nighthawks are two of the museum's most recognized works. Grant Wood's American Gothic hangs here too. The collection also covers ancient, Asian, and decorative arts, but the painting galleries from Cézanne to Caillebotte are what most visitors come for.

Visiting Art Institute of Chicago

Edward Hopper's Nighthawks, Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, and Grant Wood's American Gothic. All three are icons of American art.

One of the best Impressionist collections outside Paris. Renoir's Two Sisters, Caillebotte's Paris Street; Rainy Day, and Post-Impressionist works by Cézanne fill the second floor galleries.

Illinois residents get free entry on certain weekday evenings (check the website for current schedule). Children under 14 are always free. Regular admission is around $25 for adults. Hopper's Nighthawks is in the American art galleries on the first floor.

The Thorne Miniature Rooms (68 tiny furnished rooms) are a hidden gem. The Japanese print collection is world-class. Toulouse-Lautrec's At the Moulin Rouge is in the modern European galleries. The Modern Wing's rooftop terrace has great city views.

At least 3-4 hours for the highlights. The Impressionist galleries alone could take an hour. The museum is massive, with nearly 300,000 objects across multiple buildings connected by the Modern Wing bridge.

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Please note: Artwork locations and display status may change. Some paintings may be on loan, in restoration, or moved to different galleries within the museum. We recommend contacting Art Institute of Chicago directly to confirm specific artwork availability before your visit.

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Famous Works at Art Institute of Chicago

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Browse 889 notable artworks in our database. Click any work to see details and plan your visit.