National Art Gallery
National Art Gallery
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Tenth century paintings, religious statues and relics occupy one building while the other contains mostly modern works.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
37 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
16
Average
5
Poor
3
Terrible
0
gupreen
Bengaluru, India24 contributions
Aug 2019
For the art lovers, this place is a must go! There are several wonderful paintings, all original pieces! You can keep admiring at your peaceful length of time! Unfortunately the sculpted masterpieces are totally out of bounds for public. You have to admire them from the gallery above. But the paintings make up for this. The original British era paintings, modern art and above all - the original Raja Ravi Varma paintings!
BTW, the entrance itself is passed by a structure so lovely and majestic with a beautiful door! Although, it is only the side building where the beautiful art pieces are located.
There is a small collectibles shop. Also worth a visit if you are looking out for some steals. Overpriced though :)
BTW, the entrance itself is passed by a structure so lovely and majestic with a beautiful door! Although, it is only the side building where the beautiful art pieces are located.
There is a small collectibles shop. Also worth a visit if you are looking out for some steals. Overpriced though :)
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Film G
New England1,051 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
With 2 floors of bronze statues of Hindu gods, you will get a good sense of these pieces over the centuries. The top floor has the first national flag on display — a major national treasure. A visit takes 30 minutes or so.
Written March 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Siva M
7 contributions
One of a finest collections this museum has. Well kept and displayed. must visit museum in tamilnad. Non Indian can learn a lot from this site about Indian's art and culture. A perfect introduction at gate way of South.
Written February 3, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John S
Casa Grande, AZ28 contributions
Feb 2015 • Solo
The museum complex has exhibits scattered theough several old Raj era buildings. The surrounding grounds are run down, with dry fountains, broken fencing, a few pie dogs, etc., but I like that kind of atmosphere. I only went in the Chola bronze museum and the contemporary art exhibit. The later can be missed, it's more like a craft show, but if you're into folk art, then give it a look. The bronzes, on the other hand, are spectacular. These objects date mostly from the 9th to 11th centuries, are displayed well in glass cases, and have not been cleaned up, so the patina of centuries of incense and smoke remain on the surfaces. The artistic talent that went into the crafting of these works of religious devotion is amazing. There is a large sampling of Siva Natraj images, each one with subtle variations, and a large one at the far end of the hall that is displayed against a backdrop of a galaxy of stars, very fitting for the symbolism of the figure. Budhist and Jain figures are also included, along with well written wall monographs on topics such as the iconography of the figures, and the various methods used to fashion the images. Also, the room is fairly cool, always welcome in Chennai's perpetual heat. If you are foreign, you will pay more that a native to get in, but I am glad to help support such a fine collection. You will not find such a collection anywhere elso in the world.
Written March 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RooRu
Moscow, Russia20 contributions
Jan 2014 • Couples
There are some fantastic things to see in the National Art Gallery. The Chola bronzes are a must. I also liked the massive colonial portraits and the antique furniture. The museum is very run-down, unfortunately, but still worth a visit.
Written November 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aroundtheworldser
Yokohama, Japan49 contributions
Nov 2013 • Solo
on a rainy day, the first in Chennai, visiting the museum was enlightening. However, the art gallery is closed for maintainance and the entire compound needs much more care. Art is beautiful, the botanical and zoological exhibits are poorly lit and the description barely lisible. Groups of school children are noisy but they do not stay long in the room anyway... Good to have seen it but do not expect much.
Written November 20, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KANewYork
New York City, NY3,640 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
Entry tickets can be bought adjacent to the main gate from where you enter. Different rates for Indians and foreigners. If you want to take pictures you can pay extra.
The complex contains many buildings. Many were closed or in the process of renovation. The anthropology section was open partially.. just a couple of rooms on the ground floor displaying weapons. The highlight was clearly the Bronze gallery with some pieces dating back to the 9th century AD. Most are forms of gods and goddesses. The large nataraja or dancing shiva statue from Tanjore is the the one whose copies are sold everywhere in India from small trinket sized to large show pieces. No photography was allowed in here.
The complex has lots of shade from a large number of trees, so it’s relatively pleasant walking in here as compared to the city streets.
The complex contains many buildings. Many were closed or in the process of renovation. The anthropology section was open partially.. just a couple of rooms on the ground floor displaying weapons. The highlight was clearly the Bronze gallery with some pieces dating back to the 9th century AD. Most are forms of gods and goddesses. The large nataraja or dancing shiva statue from Tanjore is the the one whose copies are sold everywhere in India from small trinket sized to large show pieces. No photography was allowed in here.
The complex has lots of shade from a large number of trees, so it’s relatively pleasant walking in here as compared to the city streets.
Written March 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarkfromtheIsland
Duncan, Canada800 contributions
Nov 2019
So the main museum here is closed because nobody noticed the roof was leaking till all the art was damaged. That pretty much sets the stage for why I rated this poorly.
The bronze gallery has some beautiful work in it but it's marred by a total lack of care.
The ground are all dug up for some renovation work. That's understandable. But dumping loads of gravel across the walking paths isn't. Having a gallery with the air conditioning out and not expected to be working for 60 days isn't. Allowing a large group of elementary school children to roar around screaming while other visitors are trying to see the sights isn't. The display and display cabinets being full of dust both inside and outside isn't
Get it together here. These are historical artifacts, not the contents of your aunt Karen't garage.
The bronze gallery has some beautiful work in it but it's marred by a total lack of care.
The ground are all dug up for some renovation work. That's understandable. But dumping loads of gravel across the walking paths isn't. Having a gallery with the air conditioning out and not expected to be working for 60 days isn't. Allowing a large group of elementary school children to roar around screaming while other visitors are trying to see the sights isn't. The display and display cabinets being full of dust both inside and outside isn't
Get it together here. These are historical artifacts, not the contents of your aunt Karen't garage.
Written November 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karpagavalli
Chennai (Madras), India479 contributions
Jun 2019
The building was built by the British during their period here but now is a museum. The place is so vast with 6or7 building s each exhibits the old era products and sculptures and all.
Written July 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nigel G
Singapore, Singapore8,674 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
The National Art Gallery is within the National Museum compound. I was thoroughly confused here when I arrived regarding the ticketing and by the advice given by my driver.
You buy your ticket at the ticket office. There is NO ticket for the National Art Gallery - it is only a National Museum ticket which covers all six houses of the complex. That's the first mystery solved. Second - why do I need to go to Gallery 1 - Mogul Architecture if I want to see the art - that's because you need to activate your ticket there and if you want to buy a camera pass that's where you get it from for R250. Now you are free to go anywhere and in any order. Did unit 1 as I was there then moved the the Art Museum in building 6. It's very messy as there is much renovation going on.
You are told to disregard the no photography signs if you have purchased the camera pass.
Arrived at building 6 and the lower floor was all about handicraft and models etc. True art on the two upper levels. I had heard this Museum has an excellent presentation on holograms which is on the 2nd floor but unfortunately this was closed.
So the art collection - as you enter some examples of officials of the British Colonial Administration. Not of much interest to me. Moving on nice ethnic art of all sorts. You can see the influence of Picasso for example in works by Narasimma Murthy - very impressive. Excellent portrait of Gandhi by KV Vaidayanathan - Father of the nation - a great tribute. Some mogul art paintings . Excellent collection but less than excellent lighting. As it goes, not too many attendants in the museum so I chose to alter the lighting if I wanted to take photos - of course returning it to the original position afterwards. Excellent collection. - disappointed upper floor was closed but I guess it was being renovated.
Book shop in buildings 1 and 6. Parking - anywhere you can find.
You buy your ticket at the ticket office. There is NO ticket for the National Art Gallery - it is only a National Museum ticket which covers all six houses of the complex. That's the first mystery solved. Second - why do I need to go to Gallery 1 - Mogul Architecture if I want to see the art - that's because you need to activate your ticket there and if you want to buy a camera pass that's where you get it from for R250. Now you are free to go anywhere and in any order. Did unit 1 as I was there then moved the the Art Museum in building 6. It's very messy as there is much renovation going on.
You are told to disregard the no photography signs if you have purchased the camera pass.
Arrived at building 6 and the lower floor was all about handicraft and models etc. True art on the two upper levels. I had heard this Museum has an excellent presentation on holograms which is on the 2nd floor but unfortunately this was closed.
So the art collection - as you enter some examples of officials of the British Colonial Administration. Not of much interest to me. Moving on nice ethnic art of all sorts. You can see the influence of Picasso for example in works by Narasimma Murthy - very impressive. Excellent portrait of Gandhi by KV Vaidayanathan - Father of the nation - a great tribute. Some mogul art paintings . Excellent collection but less than excellent lighting. As it goes, not too many attendants in the museum so I chose to alter the lighting if I wanted to take photos - of course returning it to the original position afterwards. Excellent collection. - disappointed upper floor was closed but I guess it was being renovated.
Book shop in buildings 1 and 6. Parking - anywhere you can find.
Written February 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there car parking facility inside the National Art Gallery campus? Thanks in advance
Written July 24, 2015
I took a rikshaw there from my hotel. You buy a ticket inside the entry gate to the left. They will allow taxi drop-offs inside the gate, but I think parking is reserved for employees.
Written July 24, 2015
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