If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about a city’s past through its art, here are our picks for where to do just that

Vienna, Austria

In 2020, when the Albertina Modern was added to the city’s roster of art institutions, Vienna’s reputation as a centre for epoch-defining modern art shifted dramatically. This architectural collage of white space and refurbished baroque-style rooms was constructed within the shell of the city’s 19th-century Künstlerhaus at a cost of €50 (about RM233) million. It serves as the backdrop for a 60,000-piece collection of modern art by some of the 20th century’s most renowned artists such as Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman and Gerhard Richter.

Kyoto, Japan

You can’t help but fall in love with Kyoto. This is a city with many Buddhist temples, shinto shrines, stately machiyas and botanical gardens. If you’re a big fan of The Karate Kid, you’ll want to visit the Kyoto Samurai and Ninja Museum. There are no beautiful paintings here, but this museum provides a fascinating look at the materials used by samurai warriors, as well as detailed aspects of their history. If this doesn’t suit your fancy, there are plenty of different places to visit to satisfy your artistic and cultural desires. The Kyoto Railway Museum, the Kyoto National Museum, and the Museum of Kyoto are all worthwhile stops on any Kyoto tourist’s itinerary.

Oslo, Norway

To learn more about Norwegian artists check out Galleri Riis, Galleri Brandstrup and Standard (Oslo). On a bright and sunny day, a trip through Ekebergparken Sculpture Park, which is surrounded by pine trees is an option that is hard to beat. The Munchmuseet gallery, which was moved from a 1960s gallery east of the city centre to a teetering glass edifice on the waterfront in Bjørvika, is a must visit. There are approximately 1,150 paintings and 18,000 prints on display, in addition to an imposing Tracey Emin statue that stands seven metres tall and is made of bronze. A Sunday visit is best as there are classical music performances.

Cairo, Egypt

The Grand Egyptian Museum, which was designed by Heneghan Peng, is home to a wide variety of gilded artefacts including the 5,400 priceless objects that were discovered in Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings. But there is more to Cairo than just its ancient past. A collection of art venues that can be used for a variety of purposes can be found at the Townhouse Gallery. The same is true for Room Art Space, a do-it-yourself performance venue that is tucked away in the basement of a building in the Garden City that gives the impression of being very official. And, as you walk through the city’s streets, you’re bound to come across Mohammed Mahmoud’s politically motivated street art.