Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:2035 S 3rd St.
Louisville, Kentucky
Tel:
(502) 634-2700
Since 1927, the Speed Art Museum, which is referred to as "The Speed" by locals, has been Kentucky's largest and oldest art museum. Built in Neo-Classical style, the museum boasts more than 12,000 art pieces of ancient, classical and modern art from around the world, and spans over six millennia.
The Speed Art Museum, which opened its doors in 1927, was named after James Breckenridge Speed, a successful businessman in Louisville, Kentucky and an important philanthropist who influenced Louisville's development. After his death, his wife, Hattie Bishop Speed, set up a foundation in his name which helped to found the museum.
Exhibits showcasing ancient Egyptian art, as well as distinguished 17th century Dutch and Flemish paintings, 18th Century French, Renaissance, Baroque, contemporary American, sculpture, African, and Native American works are just some of what you can expect at Kentucky's oldest and largest art institution.
In the Arts of the Ancient World exhibit, you'll find Greek, Roman, Etruscan, and Egyptian objects from 4000 BCE including the marble ash urns from Roman burial chambers, oil lamps, an Etruscan razor, and Egyptian pottery. Decorative Arts include traditional European and American ceramics and furniture, as well as a 17th century paneled room from an English manor house where you'll find extensive wood carvings, lavished with mythological creatures, which is always a favorite with visitors.
The European Painting and Sculpture exhibit includes work from the 1300s to the present. You'll find artists such as Ludolph Backhuysen, Rembrandt, Jacob van Ruisdael, Peter Paul Rubens, Jan de Bray, and Jacob Jordaens, François Boucher, Adélaïde Labille-Guiard, and Hubert Robert, to name a few. The Kentucky collection includes works by Kentuckians done during the 1800s. There are portraiture, furniture, sculptures, and other paintings in this homegrown collection.
In addition to its permanent collection, the Speed Art Museum is home to numerous temporary exhibits including Gees Bend quilts and work by Argentine artist Flavia Da Rin.
The museum shop specializes in handmade items inspired by Louisville and the surrounding community. You can find jewelry, purses, scarves, ties, posters, art prints, and much more in this lovely shop. The museum café offers a kids menu as well as classic soups, salads, and desserts.
The museum is accessible by TARC Fourth Street and Eastern Parkway routes. If coming by car take the I-65 and exit 133 (Eastern Parkway). Make a right onto Eastern Parkway West which dead-ends at Third St. Head north (right) and you'll see the museum on your right side.
The Speed Art Museum's extensive collection will leave you feeling like you've been to many museums under the one roof. You'll just love it.