Saint Louis Art Museum
A broad, admission-free collection in Forest Park, especially strong in German art, ancient cultures, decorative arts, and changing exhibitions.
Artwork inspired by Max Beckmann
The museum spans ancient objects, global art traditions, European and American painting, sculpture, photography, textiles, and design. Its 1904 Cass Gilbert building began as the Palace of Fine Arts for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.
Max Beckmann is a local collection landmark, but smaller decorative-arts galleries, Oceanic works, Islamic art, and Native American collections can make a shorter visit far more memorable. Rather than attempting every gallery, choose two collection areas and one unfamiliar room. Use Art Hill and the Grand Basin as part of the visit, weather permitting.
- General admission
- Free
- Allow
- 2–4 hours
- Setting
- Forest Park
Quick guide
- First step
- Check gallery closures
- Strategy
- Choose three sections
Read the collection at Saint Louis Art Museum
- Map
- Use mark a must-see, a nearby surprise, and a rest stop before entering deeply.
- Labels
- Read selectively; spend more time looking than completing every text panel.
- Exhibitions
- Trace special exhibitions may require paid timed tickets even when general admission is free.
- Landscape
- Rely on Art Hill and the Grand Basin as part of the visit, weather permitting.
Good to know
The museum’s Max Beckmann holdings reflect the artist’s brief but important St. Louis period after wartime exile reshaped his life and work.
Notice these
- Beckmann collection
- Cass Gilbert building
- Global galleries
- Art Hill