2024 is going to be another year of fantastic exhibitions in European museums. From Florence to London, they span from historical ones to retrospectives dedicated to contemporary artists. To help you decide which ones to visit, here is the Culture Tourist selection of the best exhibitions in European museums in 2024.
18 Best exhibitions in European museums 2024
When I started researching the best exhibitions in European museums in 2024, I realised it would be hard to select only a few. There are so many great exhibitions scheduled this year. It looks like 2024 is going to be a real art treat. Although there are many more, here are some of the best exhibitions in European museums to visit in 2024.
⤷ Read more: 15 Best Museums in Europe
1 – Mark Rothko
Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris (France) / 18 October 2023 – 2 April 2024
The first Mark Rothko retrospective ever organised in France exhibits around 115 artworks made by the fascinating American artist. He is most famous for his colour field paintings produced between 1949 and 1970. Displayed chronologically, visiting this exhibition offers an excellent opportunity to follow the development of one of the most fascinating modern artists.
⤷ Read more: The Best Museums in Paris
2 – Holbein at the Tudor Court
The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, London (UK) / until 14 April 2024
Including paintings, drawings and book illustrations, this exhibition displays one of the most important collections of Holbein’s artwork. Hans Holbein was a German-Swiss 16th-century painter. He arrived in England in 1526 and became an artist who captured some of the most famous portraits of the Royal family members and notable people from his time, including Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Sir Thomas More.
⤷ Read more: The Best Museums in London
3 – Yayoi Kusama: Mirror Infinity Rooms
Tate Modern, London (UK) / until 28 April 2024
94-year-old, Yayoi Kusama is one of the most famous Japanese artists who gained international fame already in the 1970s. Until 28 April 2024, her two Mirror Infinity Rooms will be displayed at Tate Modern in London. Besides them, a small exhibition providing a context of their significance will be on display, as well.
4 – Fresh Air: Northern Impressionism
Singer Laren Museum, Laren (the Netherlands) / 17 January 2024 – 5 May 2024
Singer Laren Museum organises a special exhibition dedicated to German, Danish and Dutch Impressionist painters. It’s the first time artworks made by these artists will be displayed together. Afterwards, the exhibition will travel to the Museum Kunst der Westküste in Denmark and Landesmuseum in Hannover (Germany). So, you’ll get a chance to see the exhibition in three European museums in 2024.
⤷ Read more: What to see in Amsterdam area – Art & Architecture
5 – Legion: Life in the Roman Army
The British Museum, London (UK) / 1 February 2024 – 23 June 2024
One of the best exhibitions in European museums in 2024 is dedicated to Roman military history. The exhibition focuses on Roman soldiers, their lives, motivations and struggles. The Legion explores the first modern military organisation in the West through the soldiers’ lives.
⤷ Read more: History of Travelling: How People Started to Travel
6 – Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind
Tate Modern, London (UK) / 15 February 2024 – 1 September 2024
Covering seventy years of artistic career, Tate Modern will organise the largest-ever exhibition about the work of Yoko Ono. Around 200 Japanese artist’s and performer’s artworks will be displayed at the show. If you will be in London during the spring or summer, be sure to visit one of the best exhibitions organised in European museums in 2024.
⤷ Read more: Tate Modern Museum in London – Tips for visiting & Highlights
7 – Frans Hals
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (the Netherlands) / 16 February 2024 – 9 June 2024
After being displayed at the National Gallery in London, the Frans Hals retrospective travels to the artist’s homeland, the Netherlands, at the beginning of 2024. Frans Hals is one of the most fascinating Dutch Golden Age painters, primarily well-known for his portraits and tronies. Around 50 of his artworks will be displayed at the Rijksmuseum, including paintings that haven’t been shown in London.
⤷ Read more: 10 Things you didn’t know about the Rijksmuseum
8 – Roy Lichtenstein
Albertina, Vienna (Austria) / 8 March 2024 – 14 July 2024
Roy Lichtenstein is one of the most famous American pop art painters. To celebrate the artist’s 100th birthday, the Albertina Museum in Vienna organises a fantastic retrospective. Around 90 exhibited artworks will show you the development of his art and some of the most famous Lichtenstein masterpieces, including ‘Look Mickey’ (1961), ‘Drowning Girl’ (1963), and ‘Figures in Landscape’ (1977).
9 – Marina Abramović
Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam (the Netherlands) / 16 March 2024 – 14 July 2024
With more than 60 artworks created during the five decades of her career, Stedelijk Museum is organising the largest ever Marina Abramović exhibition in the Netherlands. Besides seeing her work, visitors are invited to participate in two art performances, as well.
⤷ Read more: The Best Museums in Amsterdam
10 – Anselm Kiefer: Fallen Angels
Palazzo Strozzi, Florence (Italy) / 22 March 2024 – 21 July 2024
Making his debut in the German art scene in the 1960s, Anselm Kiefer is one of the most important contemporary artists today. During his exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi in Florence, he will display some of his older and new work, engaging in a dialogue with Renaissance architecture.
⤷ Read more: 10 Cultural spots to visit in Florence
11 – Paris 1874: Inventing Impressionism
Musée d’Orsay, Paris (France) / 26 March 2024 – 14 July 2024
This year marks 150 years since the first Impressionist exhibition in Paris. That’s why numerous art events are organised around the globe to celebrate that important anniversary. One of them is the Paris 1874: Inventing Impressionism exhibition organised at one of the museums with the best Impressionist collections, Musée d’Orsay. To learn more about the Impressionists in Paris, visit this fantastic European 2024 exhibition.
⤷ Read more: Impressionists at Musée d’Orsay
12 – Caspar David Friedrich: Infinite Landscapes
Alte Nationalgalerie, Berlin (Germany) / 9 April 2024 – 4 August 2024
One of the most important Romanticist painters, Caspar David Friedrich, was born 250 years ago. Many German museums are celebrating that anniversary with exhibitions. However, a central event will be a fantastic exhibition at Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin. Around 60 paintings and 50 drawings will be displayed during this event, making it one of the best exhibitions in European museums in 2024.
⤷ Read More: Exploring Museum Island in Berlin
13 – Edvard Munch: Horizons
MUNCH, Oslo (Norway) / from 13 April 2024
MUNCH in Oslo is preparing another art treat this year. Covering the period between 1880 and 1950, they will put Edvard Munch’s artworks in the context of his contemporary artists and art movements. The exhibition will explore their influences on a famous Norwegian artist and vice versa, creating an exhibition Edvard Munch’s admirers shouldn’t miss in 2024.
14 – Olympism: Modern Invention, Ancient Legacy
The Louvre, Paris (France) / 24 April 2024 – 16 September 2024
Paris will host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. To celebrate that important event, the Louvre Museum is organising an exhibition dedicated to one of the oldest sports games. They will explore sports in arts and people who redeveloped historic sports games at this fantastic 2024 exhibition in European museums.
⤷ Read more: What to see at the Louvre Museum
15 – When we see us: A Century of Black Figuration in Painting
Kunstmuseum, Basel (Switzerland) / 25 May 2024 – 27 October 2024
One of the best exhibitions in European museums in 2024 is set at the Kunstmuseum Basel. By presenting more than 200 artworks made by 156 artists, the exhibition will explore figuration in the work of African and African diaspora painters in the last 100 years.
⤷ Read more: The Best Museums in Basel
16 – NAOMI
Victoria & Albert Museum, London (UK) / 22 June 2024 – 6 April 2025
The exhibition in the beautiful Victoria & Albert Museum in London will explore the life, career and influence of the fashion model Naomi Campbell through clothes. The work of leading international designers and photographers will be displayed at the exhibition, showcasing some of her most important collaborations. Visitors will see around 100 looks Naomi Campbell wore during her 40-year-long career.
⤷ TIP: With the Coco Chanel exhibition sold out within a few days after releasing the tickets, I strongly recommend you secure your NAOMI exhibition tickets on time.
17 – Chagall
Albertina, Vienna (Austria) / 28 September 2024 – 9 February 2025
Marc Chagall is one of the leading 20th-century painters creating his recognisable visual language. During the Albertina exhibition, visitors will see around 90 paintings made by that fascinating artist, spanning all periods of Chagall’s career.
⤷ Read more: Most beautiful museum cafes in Europe
18 – In your Wildest Dreams – Ensor Beyond Impressionism
KMSKA, Antwerp (Belgium) / 28 September 2024 – 18 January 2025
In 2024, we will mark 75 years since the inspiring Belgian artist James Ensor died. A few exhibitions will be organised this year to mark that occasion. However, the central event will be the exhibition in KMSKA, home to the most extensive Ensor collection worldwide. At their exhibition, they will explore contemporaries and influences made on a famous artist.
We can absolutely agree that 2024 will be a fantastic year for all art enthusiasts. So, consider visiting some of these tremendous art shows when planning your trips this year. This selection of the 18 best exhibitions in European museums in 2024 will make your choice easier.
Cover photo by Liam McGarry on Unsplash