Have you always been impressed with Stonehenge and prehistoric times? Or do you prefer admiring some of the masterpieces from contemporary art? With so many exciting exhibitions planned in 2022, this year will bring joy to every art and culture addict living in or traveling around Europe. If you’d like to find out more about the best exhibitions in European museums to visit in 2022, be sure to keep reading.

10 Best exhibitions in European museums to visit in 2022

Piet Mondrian. From figuration to abstraction

⤷ MUDEC, Milan, November 24th 2021 – March 27th 2022

Mondrian, the pioneer of abstract art, had, and still has, an enormous impact on modern society. As a result, we can see a bit of Mondrian everywhere. From the runway looks to some of the most spectacular interior designs. Last year, for the first time, the MUDEC in Milan showcased some of his works. At the exhibition, the visitors can witness his transformation from figuration to abstraction.

TIP: This interesting exhibition is open just until the end of March. So if you happen to be in Milan, be sure not to miss a chance to admire Mondrian’s work at MUDEC.

Yves Saint Laurent At The Louvre

⤷ Louvre, Paris, January 29th – May 15th 2022

Can there be a better recipe for a good fashion exhibition than the Yves Saint Laurent at Louvre?

Yves Saint Laurent launched his first collection precisly sixty years ago, in 1962. Besides being one of the most celebrated fashion designers of the 20th century, he also appreciated art and museums. Consequently, this is one of the reasons the Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent asked Louvre, among other institutions, to showcase some of his works. Louvre accepted and provided all the fashion and art lovers with an exhibition of some of the designer’s outstanding garments.

Read more: Best museums in Paris

The Van Gogh. Self-portraits

⤷ The Courtauld Gallery, London, 3th February – May 8th 2022

Vincent Van Gogh is one of the most famous artists of all time. It is almost impossible to think about Van Gogh without having his unique and colorful portraits in mind. That’s why one of the best exhibitions in European museums to visit this year is going to be completely dedicated to them. Around half of his self-portraits will be presented at the exhibition in the Courtauld Gallery in London. So, if you are a big Van Gogh fan, be sure to plan a visit to London before May.

Read more: Locations linked to life & work of Vincent van Gogh in Europe

The world of Stonehenge

⤷ British Museum, London, February 17th – July 17th 2022

Stonehenge is the monument from the Neolithic period everyone in the world knows about. It comes with no surprise people have been (and still are) fascinated with it.

However, there are many more fascinating monuments and objects from the same period, leaving us speechless after all those years. This exhibition organised in the British Museum in London is going to be completely dedicated to them.

Edvard Munch – In Dialog

⤷ The Albertina Museum, Vienna, February 18th – June 19th 2022

“From my rotting body, flowers shall grow and I am in them, and that is eternity.” Edvard Munch

Edvard Munch is one of the most remarkable and influential artists of all times. He is indeed eternal.

During the exhibition about the famous painter, over sixty of his famous artworks will be presented. But, not only that. They will also present work of artists that were influenced by him. Andy Warhol, Marlene Dumas, and Miriam Cahn are just among some of them.

Hyperreal. The Art of Trompe l’Oeil

⤷ Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, March 16th – May 22nd 2022

Is it real? Or is it a painting? Those are probably the first questions that would pop in your mind while visiting this Hyperreal exhibition.

The National Museum in Madrid will present works done in the Trompe l’Oeil technique between the 15th and the 21st centuries. The star of the exhibition will be work by the Spanish sculptor Isidro Blasco. Knowing that, this is absolutely one of the best exhibitions in European museums to visit in 2022.

Donatello: the Renaissance

⤷ Palazzo Strozzi and the Musei del Bargello, Florence, March 19th – July 31th 2022

It is almost impossible to think about the Italian Renaissance without having Donatello in mind. This year, all the Renaissance enthusiasts will have the chance to visit some of Donatello’s most outstanding works. All of that while admiring the beautiful Palazzo Strozzi and Museo Nazionale del Bargello.

TIP: Keep in mind that the ticket for the exhibition does not include the Bargello Museum entrance. However, if you find yourself in Florence at the time, visiting the whole museum could only add to the experience.

Fashioning Masculinities: The Art of Menswear

⤷ Victoria and Albert Museum, London March 19th – November 6th 2022

Opening later this month, the Fashioning Masculinities exhibition will present around one hundred looks and artworks, exploring diversity of menswear. From the Renaissance paintings, Gucci fashion to the non-binary ways of expression, you’ll find them all at this exhibition.

It’s not only a peek into the timeline of menswear. But a deep look into the ways people used to perceive gender through fashion.

Read more: Best museums in London

The Milk of Dreams

⤷ Venice Biennale, Venice, April 23rd – November 27th

The iconic Venice Biennale, titled The Milk of Dreams, is finally back! This event will definitely offer some of the best exhibitions in Europe in 2022. Therefore, people from all over Europe are already excited to return to Venice in the upcoming spring.

The Biennale will be open to the public from April 23rd to November 27nd 2022. The main venues will be the Giardini and the Arsenale. It will showcase 1433 works from 213 different artists. So, if you happen to be in Venice at the time, don’t miss this outstanding art exhibition.

I call it art

⤷ The National Museum, Oslo, opening June 11th

Another important art event in 2022 is the reopening of the largest Museum in Norway – The National Museum in Oslo. The new building designed by German architects Kleihues + Schuwerk is a masterpiece itself.

‘I call it art’ is the name of just one, among many exhibitions that will take place at the reopened museum. That interesting exhibition consists of artworks created by almost 150 artists. It aims to provoke and move, concentrating on the most relevant topics in modern society. If you find contemporary art inspiring, visiting this exhibition in the brand new museum will be a fantastic experience.

Read more: Guide for the perfect museum visit

After we craved to admire exhibitions and some of the world-famous art events in person, it seems like this year will bring them all back! Among the most exciting news for all the art lovers are the return of the Venice Biennale and the reopening of the National Museum in Oslo.

I hope you’ll get a chance to see some of these ten best exhibitions in European museums to visit in 2022. But for sure, there are so many more worth visiting. Do you already have your favorites?

Cover photo: Amy-Leigh Barnard on Unsplash