There are apples and there are apples. While almost every city in the world lays claim to a great art gallery, there are very few that are globally recognized and famous. People, art lovers, historians and the commoners all flock to these art galleries travelling all across the world just to see some of the master pieces that these galleries house.

The Louvre in Paris, France is probably the most famous art gallery in the world. While it can also be considered a museum the art housed in the Louvre is truly stunning. The most famous piece of art in the Louvre is the Mona Lisa, by Da Vinci. This painting has been stolen and recovered, and is now kept under high security. The Louvre also houses many other famous paintings by Da Vinci and hundreds of other famous artists.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York City, is another home to incredible works of art. For Americans, it's a great place to see works by famous fellow countrymen, but there are also important works from all over the globe. Some of these are paintings and sculptures by Botticelli, Raphael, and El Greco.

London has an amazing gallery known as The National Gallery. This gallery boasts of some of the finest examples of European art, including paintings by Raphael, Manet, Leonardo Da Vinci, Renoir, and Monet. This gallery has a very large number of paintings and some of the most famous ones are: Sunflowers, by Vincent van Gogh, The Virgin of the Rocks, by Leonardo Da Vinci, and Venus and Mars, by Sandro Botticelli.

Other than the traditional art galleries found all over the world that house the old greats, there are many that focus on the contemporary arts of the twentieth century. The George Pompidou Center in Paris is one of the most famous contemporary art galleries and museums in the world. Even the building itself is totally contemporary, with all the ducts and piping on the outside.

The modern art galleries and museums often show furniture, sound, light, and musical exhibitions. They also feature the usually seen paintings, drawings, and prints. When you visit one of the newer galleries, you will definitely notice how times have changed over the decades, as reflected by the art.

Each major city in Europe typically has a traditional national art gallery, a contemporary gallery, and usually many more, including private art galleries. If you are visiting any major metropolitan center then a visit to the area's many art galleries is a must. Most national galleries feature art from the history of their country. You can learn a great deal about a country and its culture by viewing the way their art has changed over the years.

If you are interested in purchasing some art, the above mentioned art galleries won't sell you any of their master pieces. Typically you will need to go to a private art gallery to buy good art. You may not find Renoirs or Van Gogh's, but there is plenty of beautiful art that you can bring home. Art houses like Christie's often hold art auctions that feature some stunning pieces that you can bid on.

Art is a beautiful part of our history and any visit to an art gallery, be it the Louvre or your local gallery, is a journey back through time and into the creative master minds that help shape our culture.