Art museums are painters’ standing ovations. After a while you get to the point where you forget how many of them you’ve been to. I can’t get enough of that climate controlled museum air. And the accompanying gardens are always nice. But really, it’s just a few miraculous paintings that make these museums so heroic. Otherwise, who would go?
This morning I decided to come up with a list of my favorite art museums. These are American art museums that I’ve visited in the last few years. And of course, they all carry modern art, my favorite stuff in the entire world. I’ll list the name of the museum and the most memorable art from each one.

1. The Norton Simon Museum of Art
   Pasadena, CA
   • Degas bronze ballerinas
   • Vincent van Gogh’s mother
2. The Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum
   San Antonio, Texas
   • Paul Cézanne Houses on the Hill
3. Whitney Museum of American Art
   New York, NY
   • Edward Hopper Early Sunday Morning
4. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
   New York, NY
   • Mondrian



5. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
   New York, NY
   • Cezanne’s apples