LONDON.- In addition to virtual visits of the world’s most famous museums, it is now possible to explore online the studios of a number of Europe’s greatest artists.

From Dali to Rodin, Monet to Munnings, the Artist’s Studio Museum Network – is collating the digital programmes of its 150+ members across Europe whose doors are currently closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Enabling access to the fascinating environments in which great art has been created, highlights of the virtual programmes available include:

• A virtual tour of Giverny, the house, studio and exquisite garden of Claude Monet (1840 – 1926) located in northern France;

• A virtual walk around the Salvador Dali House Museum, an iconic building near Girona in northern Spain designed by the surrealist artist Salvador Dali (1904–1989) and shared with his partner and muse, Gala;

•A series of short films made by the Musee Rodin Meudon exploring the techniques of the internationally acclaimed sculptor, Auguste Rodin (1840-1917), and focusing on sculpture created here in his suburban studio;

• A virtual visit to Finland’s Gallen-Kallela Museum, the studio-home of Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1865 – 1931) who studied with Edvard Munch and who exhibited internationally to great acclaim;

• An opportunity to experience the 2020 Charleston Festival online. This annual event - inspired by the creativity and curiosity of Vanessa Bell (1879-1961) and Duncan Grant (1885-1978) and by the many famous visitors they received at their Sussex home, Charleston - is currently being shared on the museum’s website.

Commenting, Dr Cicely Robinson, Brice Chief Curator of Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village – the former studio-home of George Frederic Watts OM RA (1817 – 1904) and the museum that initiated the Network, said:

“We set up the Artist’s Studio Museum Network to bring the unique stories of each of these museums to a wider public. They are evocative spaces, filled with the spirit and atmosphere that inspired their former occupants to produce some of the world’s best-loved art. They are endowed with uniquely personal archives and collections that offer new perspectives on art and art movements.”

Commenting, Molly Skinner, ASMN Co-Ordinator, said: “Often small and out of the way – with many artists seeking solitude and seclusion in which to work – these museums are off the beaten track, and we hope that by sharing their stories now we will inspire members of the public to visit once we are all able.”