Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Fan

State of the Art

     Richmond's Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, America's first state-wide arts system, opened in 1936.  In December 1985, it effectively doubled its gallery space with the addition of the West Wing, containing the collections of the two gallery sponsors: the Mellons and the Lewises.

Lofty oversized rooms hold The Sydney and Frances Lewis art nouveau, art deco and contemporary art collections.  Paul and Rachel Mellon's fine selection of impressionist and post-impressionistic art is hung in smaller, more intimate rooms.

These were added to the museum's already exciting collection, which spans the past 5,000 years of art.  Surrounding the classical court are the galleries of the ancient world, Asia, the classical era and ancient America.

Another  visitor favorite is the lovely gallery of Faberge Easter Eggs and Russian Imperial Jewels.  The museum also has a prized set of Gobelin tapestries illustrating the story of Don Quixote.  In order to match the splendor of the new wing, the older galleries underwent extensive refurbishing at a cost of roughly $100,000 per gallery.  Skylights were uncovered to let in new light on the old masters---Degas, Goya, Matisse, Picasso, Monet, Brueghel and Gainsborough. 

The Virginia Museum's sculpture garden is itself one of the most beautiful spots in Richmond.  It is equally pleasant for a morning stroll, an al fresco lunch, afternoon tea or an evening concert. The garden's focus is the massive fountain.  The sound of its cascading water seems to lower the temperature on warm summer days.  The public cafeteria is adjacent to the garden, with trees and umbrellas to provide shade for those who enjoy eating outside.  Colorful blossoms enhance the sculpture, some of which is on loan from the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Hirshhorn Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.

The Virginia Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and Thursday evenings until 8:00 P.M.  It is closed on Monday and major holidays.  Visitors are asked to make a donation.  Seniors and children under 16 are free.

The Virginia Museum is located at the edge of  the Fan, a district of restored homes, charming cafes, arty boutiques and antique shops.  The Fan, encompasses 85-blocks and extends north to Monument Avenue, south to Main Street, east to Laurel Street and west to the Boulevard.  The once decaying turn-of-the-century townhouses have been reconstructed and are now popular with the faculty and students of Virginia Commonwealth University. A brochure covering the Fan district highlights 41 points of interest including museums, parks, monuments and homes. One of the favorite neighborhood eateries is Strawberry Street Cafe at 421 North Strawberry Street.  You will understand why once you get a look at its cheery red and white tablecloths, the stained-glass decorative arch, an old-fashioned bathtub with salad fixings and blackboard drawings of cafe specialties.

Directions: From I-95/I-64 take Exit 78 and travel south 1 1/2 miles on the Boulevard to the museum, located in Richmond’s West End at the corner of the Boulevard and Grove Avenue.