The Art Museum in Modern Times

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Under Charles Saumarez Smith's leadership, significant architectural changes and redefined missions occurred at the National Portrait Gallery, the National Gallery, and the Royal Academy, positioning him to explore the evolution of art museums over the past century and their potential futures. In this book, he embarks on a global journey to various art museums, including Tate Modern in London, the Benesse House Museum in Japan, the Getty Center in Los Angeles, the Museum of New and Old Art in Tasmania, the Pompidou Centre in Paris, and the West Bund Museum in Shanghai. Saumarez Smith examines how the experience of art is influenced by the architecture of these institutions and their display principles. He notes a shift in the past century: visitors now seek personal aesthetic experiences rather than solely educational ones. Museum displays have transitioned from didactic, chronological, and predominantly Western perspectives to thematic and global approaches. Additionally, museums have moved from city centers to remote locations, becoming cultural pilgrimage sites. Architects have evolved from creating neutral exhibition spaces to designing striking landmarks that revitalize neighborhoods and enhance cultural tourism.