John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art
The Ringling Museum of Art sits on a 66-acre estate looking out over Sarasota Bay and presents 21 galleries. The galleries are comprised of European paintings, Cypriot antiquities, American paintings, Asian Art, and contemporary art.
Founded in 1927, as the legacy of circus mogul John Ringling and his wife Mable, the Museum is the State Art Museum of Florida. In 1911, John and Mable Ringling bought 20 acres of waterfront real estate in Sarasota. And the property now is open to visitors from around the world, featuring a historic mansion, fine art, two circus museums and a historic theater. Today, the Ringling dream is an accolade to the cultural history of America.
John Ringling built the Museum of Art to display his paintings and antiquities. Paintings by masters like Velazquez, Peter Paul Rubens, and Van Dyck are part of this collection. Other painters in the collection include Veronese, El Greco, Tintoretto, Tiepolo, Gainsborough and Reynolds. The Museum has been recognized internationally and its pieces have been on display at museums like the Tate Museum of London, Rome's Vatican Museum, and the world-renowned Louvre in Paris.
The Ringlings developed a flair for art during their frequent travels to Europe. Apart from the European, American and Asian pieces found in the permanent collection, the Museum also displays some Old Master paintings reflective of 17th century Baroque period. The Koger Collection of Chinese ceramics is one of the newly added collections at the Museum. A pledge by Dr. Helga Wall-Apelt in support of Asian Galleries consists of stone sculptures, bronzes, and Chinese jades. Various other types of modern and contemporary art are featured at this Museum.
The Ulla R. and Arthur F. Searing Wing was completed in 2007 and it houses temporary exhibitions from traveling collections and its own collections. This Wing is a 30,000-square foot addition to the Museum.
As part of the Museum complex, the Ca¢ d' Zan Mansion stands as a representation of the luxury and romance of the 1920s. The Mansion is a Venetian palazzo encompasses John and Mables' zeal for opulence and their appreciation of European style.
Meanwhile, the Circus Museum as well as the Tibbals Learning Center are home to the largest miniature circus found anywhere in the world. This is one place that children of all ages can appreciate with memorabilia like costumes, photos and posters. The Ringling Museum of the American Circus was founded in 1948 and it a record of the rich history of the circus, giving guests a glance of rare handbills, art-prints, business records, performing props, wardrobe, and many other types of circus equipment.
And the Asolo Theater is in essence an 18th century gem situated in a 21-century venue. This work of art is built as a half-circle shaped, three-tiered, jewel box theater. The word in town is that it is worth paying the price of admission, just to sit inside this gorgeous theater.
Also found in the Museum is the Treviso restaurant, located in the Visitor's Pavilion. The restaurant is famous for its fine blend of American and Italian dishes.
5401 Bayshore Road
Sarasota, FL 34243
(941) 358-3180
http://www.ringling.org
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