Marvels at the Museum

Whether it’s a scenic seascape in a range of oils or hand-blown glass made to look like a decaying strawberry (yes, that’s a thing), Boston area museums highlight the beauty in pretty much everything. Here is where to wander for inspiration and appreciation.

By Cheryl Fenton

1 INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART

Sweeping waterfront views add to the artistic experience at this contemporary art museum. Whether it’s a film, a performance or traditional visual media, the ICA engages your senses in the most unique ways (past exhibits have included two-story slides). One of America’s oldest contemporary museums, the ICA pays homage to the importance of the likes of Gauguin, Picasso, and Warhol. Now on display is Yayoi Kusama’s highly anticipated exhibit “LOVE IS CALLING” (through Feb. 7, 2021), a kaleidoscope of polka-dotted tentacles. Tickets for the timed exhibit go fast.

2 HARVARD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

The Harvard Museum of Natural History reminds us that nature is the original masterpiece. Cases are packed with zoological specimens, from tiny hummingbirds and deer mice to rare Indian rhinoceros and one of the largest Amazon pirarucu ever caught. View fossils and skeletons alongside marvelous minerals, including a 1,600-pound amethyst geode. “Glass Flowers” is a creative approach to flora, with more than 4,300 hand-blown glass plant models. Through March 1, that beauty takes a turn with “Fruits in Decay,” which explores diseases through detailed glass strawberries, peaches and more.

3 MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS