Once named one of the best art museums in the country by Washington Post, the Menil Collection in Houston is a world-class museum nestled in a cozy park setting.
Founded by French philanthropists John and Dominique de Menil and opened to the public in 1987, Houston’s Menil Collection is a true hidden gem. Rooted on a 30-acre, park-like campus in Montrose, the museum is entirely free to the public and boasts a world-class, diverse permanent collection that spans centuries and continents.
The museum is anchored by the Menil Collection Main Building – the first U.S. museum designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano. Here, visitors can explore galleries dedicated to the Arts of Africa, the Ancient World, the Pacific Islands, and Medieval and Byzantine eras, alongside brilliant Modern and Contemporary works.
Its Surrealism & Modern Art gallery is where you’ll find masterpieces by Brauner, Magritte, Ernst along with Picasso paintings and sculptures.
The museum presently has a number of temporary exhibitions on view that include:
- John Akomfrah: The Hour of the Dog
- The Gift of Drawing: Cy Twombly
- Photography from the Menil Collection: Curated by Wendy Watriss
- Wall Drawing Series: Gladys Nilsson
- Foyer Installation: Mel Bochner, Chryssa, and Dorothy Hood
- Southern Outsider Artists
Beyond its main building, the campus grounds feature the Cy Twombly Gallery, the Menil Drawing Institute – which features multiple Picasso charcoal and graphite pieces – and Dan Flavin’s Richmond Hall installation; all of which opens up to a gorgeous lawn shaded by historic live oak trees.
Scattered with outdoor sculptures, this idyllic green space is perfect for enjoying a picnic, tossing a frisbee, or simply curling up against a tree trunk with a good book.
Also on the grounds of the Menil Collection is the Rothko Chapel. Also free to visit, the quiet little sanctuary houses 14 massive Mark Rothko murals.
The Menil Collection is located at 1533 Sul Ross St. The museum is open from 11 am – 7 pm Wednesday through Sunday.
