Since 1879 the Art Institute of Chicago has been building its impressive collection which now numbers more than 300,000 pieces. It’s subject matter is vast, covering works across 5,500 years from 11 curatorial departments: (1) African & Indian Art, (2) American Art, (3) Ancient & Byzantine Art, (4) Architecture & Design, (5) Asian Art, (6) European Decorative Arts, (7) European Painting & Sculpture, (8) Modern & Contemporary Art, (9) Photography, (10) Prints & Drawings, and (11) Textiles.

Among its most popular pieces are impressionist and post-impressionist paintings from van Gogh, Monet, and Renoir.