On the University of Texas at Austin campus, the Blanton Museum of Art brings together European paintings, Latin American art, modern and contemporary works, and prints and drawings. Its collection spans more than 21,000 pieces, with changing exhibitions adding new subjects to explore. Look for Teresita Fernández’s blue-toned Stacked Waters installation in the atrium and Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin, a stone building with colored-glass windows. The museum’s two-storey galleries are manageable in a couple of hours, leaving time to pause over the works that catch your attention.
A collection across periods and regions
The Blanton Museum of Art is on the University of Texas at Austin campus. Its permanent collection includes more than 21,000 works, with European paintings, modern and contemporary American art, Latin American art, and prints and drawings. The range extends from Italian Renaissance and Baroque painting to more recent work, so the galleries move between very different approaches to art and subject matter.
Latin American holdings include more than 2,000 works. One large installation by Cildo Meireles, Mission/Missions (How to Build a Cathedral), brings together bones, coins, and communion wafers. The collection also includes Teresita Fernández’s Stacked Waters, an installation of blue acrylic panels on the atrium walls and staircase. Its layered shades give the space a distinct visual character as you move through it.
The museum also presents temporary exhibitions alongside its permanent collection. Their subjects and media vary, with past exhibitions bringing together painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, and photography. Check the current programme before visiting, since the temporary displays change.
Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin
Outside the galleries, Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin is a freestanding stone building designed by the artist. Colored-glass windows cast shifting light onto the interior as the sun’s position changes. The building also uses black-and-white marble panels and redwood. Kelly conceived it as a place for contemplation, and its architecture offers a quieter counterpoint to the museum’s collection.
The installation is a notable part of the visit in its own right. Set aside time to see the colored light inside rather than treating the building only as an exterior stop. The effect changes with daylight, so the view is not identical throughout the day.
Planning your visit
The galleries are arranged across two floors, with works spanning many periods and regions. The collection is broad, but the museum’s scale can suit a visit of a couple of hours. That gives you time to move through several galleries and pause at particular works without trying to cover every detail.
Admission is paid, and advance tickets are recommended. The museum is closed on Mondays; on Saturdays it stays open later than on the other days listed. Check the official website for ticket details and current exhibitions before setting out. The museum has a gift shop, and there is a shaded outdoor area near the entrances for a break between galleries.
FAQ
How long should I spend at the Blanton Museum of Art?
Plan on about one to two hours for the galleries and a visit to Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin. You can spend longer if you want to take more time with individual works.
What should I see at the Blanton Museum of Art?
Look for the European and Latin American collections, changing exhibitions, Teresita Fernández’s Stacked Waters in the atrium, and Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin.
Is the Blanton Museum of Art open on Mondays?
No. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Should I buy Blanton Museum tickets in advance?
Advance tickets are recommended. Check the museum’s official website for current ticket details and exhibitions.
