Architecturally distinctive art museum offering free admission to a diverse collection spanning ancient artifacts to modern and contemporary works in a serene campus setting.
General Information
Closed Monday and Tuesday
How to Get There
Take US-59 South, exit Main Street, turn right on Richmond Avenue, then left onto Mandell Street and continue to Sul Ross Street.
Overview
The Menil Collection is a quiet, light-filled art museum in Houston's Montrose neighborhood. Designed by architect Renzo Piano, the main building's understated architecture and natural light create an intimate setting for viewing art, with galleries that flow into oak-shaded grounds dotted with sculpture. Admission is free.
Founded by John and Dominique de Menil and opened in 1987, the collection spans a wide timeline, from ancient Mediterranean, Byzantine, African, Pacific Island, and Native American works to modern and contemporary art exploring spirituality, identity, and the human condition.
Notable Highlights
Surrealist Holdings
One of the country's standout Surrealist collections, including works by René Magritte and Max Ernst.
Rothko Chapel
A nondenominational chapel on the Menil campus housing a series of Mark Rothko paintings, offering a space for quiet reflection.
Campus Grounds
Oak-shaded lawns and outdoor sculpture connect the Menil's satellite buildings, making the whole campus worth a slow stroll.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the The Menil Collection, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
