Blanton Museum of Art

A trove of European art in the heart of Texas
Noteworthy for: Propelled by generous donations from private art collectors, the Blanton has grown into a world-class museum.

Since 1927, the University of Texas has quietly amassed a 17,000-piece art collection of staggering depth and breadth. Today, the museum exhibits some of the most significant European Renaissance and Baroque art in the world.
Regionally important works are also well represented in the Blanton's 124,000 square feet of gallery space. Late novelist James Michener donated a large part of his private collection of 20th century American paintings to the university in 1968, sparking a new wave of gifts from other art patrons.

Meanwhile, the Latin American collection features more than 1,800 paintings, prints, and sculptures by contemporary artists from Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean.

Graduate students offer tours of the permanent collection and special exhibitions every Saturday and Sunday at 3pm. Since there's too much to see in one day, ask a well-informed guide to help you get oriented and make the most of your visit.