Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati

Located in the picturesque Eden Park neighborhood of Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Art Museum (CAM) is one of the oldest art museums in the United States and holds the distinction of being the first purpose-built art museum west of the Alleghenies. Founded in 1881 and opened to the public in 1886, the museum boasts a vast and diverse collection of over 67,000 works that span 6,000 years of human creativity—making it one of the most comprehensive art collections in the Midwest.

The original Romanesque-revival building, designed by local architect James W. McLaughlin, has been expanded and renovated several times over its nearly 140-year history. The museum's location in Eden Park was determined after considerable debate, ultimately decided by the vote of major donor Charles West.

A major milestone came in 2003 with the opening of The Cincinnati Wing, a dedicated space for artworks connected to the city. This 18,000-square-foot addition features fifteen galleries and around 400 objects, including iconic pieces such as the Odoardo Fantacchiotti angels created for Cincinnati’s Saint Peter in Chains Cathedral. The wing also includes highlights from local artists and institutions, such as Frank Duveneck, Rookwood Pottery, Robert Scott Duncanson, and Mitchell & Rammelsberg Furniture.

Among its international highlights are paintings by Old Masters and modern icons alike. Notable works include Sandro Botticelli’s Judith with Head of Holofernes, Peter Paul Rubens’ Samson and Delilah, as well as pieces by Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and many others. A 2022 discovery revealed a hidden portrait beneath Paul Cézanne’s Still Life with Bread and Eggs, thanks to the sharp eye and instincts of conservator Serena Urry.

CAM’s Decorative Arts and Design collection is equally impressive, featuring over 7,000 works, from ornate silver by Paul de Lamerie to contemporary sculpture by Karen LaMonte and ceramics by Kitaro Shirayamadani.

Free to the public and open year-round, the Cincinnati Art Museum is not just a showcase of global art but a proud storyteller of the city’s artistic heritage.