We all know how beneficial art is for our well-being. Part of the museum experience is discovering our own taste and learning to express what we appreciate about each piece, a study conducted at Roma Tre University in Italy found viewing and analyzing aesthetics can improve emotional wellbeing.
So, take a break from the beach and visit some of the unique art destinations in Southern Europe. Here are some amazing art destinations - our favorite spaces in Europe for art: Foundation Maeght, Villa E-1027, Fundación NMAC, and La Biennale di Venezia. Get ready to pack your bags!
1. Let's start with The Foundation Maeght, France's first foundation for modern and contemporary art, created in the early 1960s by the art dealers and publishers Marguerite and Aimé Maeght. Situated on a pine-forested hill overlooking Saint-Paul de Vence in the south of France, it's a fantastic gallery that opened to the public in July 1964. It showcases works by renowned artists like Braque, Chagall, Giacometti, and Miró. Don't miss their summer exhibition, "Bonnard-Matisse: a Friendship."
2. Along the coast is Villa E-1027, Eileen Gray's first architectural creation. This modern structure overlooks the bay of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, inspired by the principles of modern architecture. It features innovative and functional design elements, reflecting the artist's vision. The view is breathtaking, and this is living architecture at its best. Be sure to book in advance.
3. Next, we take you to the French Island of Porquerolles. There, you can find Villa Carmignac, a former farm transformed into a foundation dedicated to the arts by Édouard Carmignac. It's an expansive space with over 300 works by artists like Basquiat, Koons, Haring, and Warhol, creating a unique, almost mystical atmosphere.
4. A new space in the Riveria is the Hartung-Bergman Foundation in Antibes, which opened in 2022. It allows art lovers to explore the house and studio of Hans Hartung and Anna-Eva Bergman, two prominent figures in modern art, in an 18th-century olive grove.
5. Our next stop is Hauser & Wirth Menorca in Spain. Although not a foundation, it's on our list because of its stunning location on Illa del Rei island, just a short boat ride from the capital of Menorca. The island has a rich history, including a sixth-century Christian basilica and a naval hospital founded by the Royal Navy in 1711. This site features exhibitions and an outdoor sculpture trail with works by renowned European artists such as Miró, Chillida, Bourgeois, and West. Additionally, the restaurant there serves delicious food, so it's worth planning your visit around dining.
