Dahesh Museum

I’m giving up on this for now. They closed their most recent location in September, 2007. Every time I check their website it says they are searching for a new home. So when they finally find a home I’ll go visit if it’s still in New York.

The only museum in America dedicated to collecting and exhibiting 19th- and early 20th-century European academic art. Museums (even in Europe) totally skip this section of art. It’s because Impressionists started exhibiting without the state, and now nobody cares about state sponsored art during the Impressionists’ reign. Well, the Dahesh does, and you should too. At the Dahesh: Great orientalist painting. Fascinating. The cafe is super stylish, offers afternoon tea. Madison Ave. between 56th and 57th.