mcnay art museum

We spent this afternoon enjoying the exhibits and the ambience at the McNay Gallery, and came away very impressed. Others have commented here on the high-quality, eclectic, and delightful collection on display, but I would like to focus my review on the staff. From the two people at the reception desk to the attendants in every section of the McNay, everyone was friendly, well-informed, and obviously committed to making the experience of visitors a positive one. Many galleries with bigger names have contracted out their security to generic firms with employees who can keep the art safe, but have little interest in helping a great gallery succeed in its mission. Too often, the experience at those galleries is diminished by the stern demeanor, boredom, or over-officiousness of the rent-a-staff personnel. Not so at the McNay, where each of the eight staff members I interacted with was courteous and informative, and had been with the gallery for several years and clearly took great pride in the McNay, and enjoyed his or her work.For a non-Texan, the Alamo seems overrated, as does San Antonio's RiverWalk. The McNay, however, offers visitors a few hours of aesthetic delight in a beautiful, well-staffed gallery. The story, too, of the gallery's generous founder Mrs. McNay is fascinating, and her vision lives on thanks to the board, the donors, and the exceptional front-line staff.

Overall, a good little art museum. Expect to spend a couple of hours here. Parking can be tight, so it's not a bad idea to get here early, or come on a weekday when there aren't as many visitors. We felt the admission price was about right. The court yard and the McVay home (which houses a good portion of the museum) were incredible and worth the trip to see all by themselves. The art here is really an eclectic mix. You'll see works of art from familiar names, and then you'll see some more obscure artists' names. You'll see modern art as well as the more traditional. In our opinion, definitely one of the better museums to see here in San Antonio. Worth a stop.

The setting for this art museum is wonderful. The regular McNay exhibits include modern French art, Medieval and Renaissance art, 19th and 20th century art, Southwest art, art after 1945, prints and drawings, theatre arts, and outdoor sculpture. I especially enjoyed one of Chagall's paintings, "Dream Village." If you enlarge the photo and look closely at the blue background, you can see neighbors talking over a fence, a cow playing a stringed instrument, the Russian village where Chagall was born, and lovers embracing. Needless to say, I could go on and on about the beautiful art we saw, but I also want to tell you a little about the museum itself. It used to be the estate of the McNays. The building is its own work of art! The collections are displayed in a 24-room Spanish Colonial-Revival house. In 2008, the Jane and Arthur Stieren Center for Exhibitions was built adding 45,000 square feet to the original building. This museum is worth a visit, both for the art and for the venue.

I am ashamed to admit that although I have lived in Austin for many years and traveled to San Antonio often I had never visited the McNay until last weekend.We spent a wonderful, rainy afternoon exploring the museum. The collection can best be described as eclectic, with lovely impressionist paintings, period furniture, and a large collection of 19th-century ballet and opera ephemera and opulent costumes among our favorites. There was also a small, but excellent, special exhibit of World War II photographs.Unfortunately, because of the weather we could not go into the gorgeous courtyard of the villa in which the McNay is housed. We will be sure to return. The building and grounds are worth a visit by themselves.

I had no idea this is such an amazing collection. Go see it! Lots of interesting choices of contemporary and 20th century American and European art. I learned a lot in amwonderful atmosphere. And the staff were friendly and helpful.

Not only was the 'Rodin to Warhol,' exhibition full of wondrous pieces, but the permanent collection includes numerous Picasso, Degas, Renoir, Manet, Monet, Rivera, O'Keefe, Hopper, and even an El Greco painting!These awesome pieces along with many paintings and artifacts from the 14th and 15th centuries are exhibited in what was Marion Koogle McNay's home in San Antonio. The building is beautiful (Mrs. McNay designed a lot of the decorative designs on ceilings) with a gorgeous courtyard that encloses a calming pool, surrounded by stately palms and other beautiful plant specimens. While you're there, be sure to check out the statuary on the grounds. Our next trip will include the driving tour that encompasses the large site.The McNay Art Museum is a positive 'hit,' on many of the senses, and shouldn't be missed by art aficionados and historians. We'll be back numerous times!

I went during the Intimate Impressionism exhibition, it was wonderful. Along with the exhibition pieces, their permanent collection must be experienced.

Once again, born and raised in San Antonio, this was always one of my favorite places to visit. I would go on the free museum day (I think it's Thursday). The museum is nice but what I go for is the grounds the museum is housed on. GORGEOUS picture-taking opportunities galore. The museum is housed in a donated Spanish-style mansion with an enclosed patio. Often times you'll run across photo shoots on the grounds for weddings & quinceaneras. If you like this building, Landa library on 233 Bushnell Ave. is another gorgeous donated Spanish-style mansion converted into a library. The house and grounds are nice and they've made a nice children's park up front with mature oak trees that offer shade in the hot summer.

This museum has a wonderful and diverse display of art. It is beautifully displayed, in a museum that was the home of Mrs. Marion McNay. She not only bequeathed her 24-room home for a museum, but over 700 pieces of art, which sit on 23 beautiful acres. The museum has grown since it's origins, and has pieces by some of the world's great artists from different periods, such as Picasso, Van Gogh, Manet, Gauguin, Modigliani, and others. I went on a Sunday afternoon and stayed for three hours and wish I had allowed more time. The staff is friendly and very helpful. I was impressed, and had no expectations of seeing such a fine display in San Antonio.

Wonderful historic building in San Antonio. The internal gardens are beautiful.The building worth the visit as the paintings and sculptures. Easy access and parking. The place was very calm and relaxing and you could admire the masterpieces at you own pace.

Great art pieces and always a great traveling exhibit to see. And be sure and check out their library. Some very old books to see there

Based in a formerly private home, it has a great collection of pre and post -Impressionist Art, sculpture and beautiful gardens. A must to visit.

We had a few hours available before leaving town and decided to visit McNay. This is a great museum full of works from famous artists in a beautiful mansion. So much to see, I could have browsed for half of a day! The staff is very courteous and helpful. Not far from the airport, in a very nice neighborhood. Make time for this museum, and you won't be disappointed.

This museum in San Antonio is a gem. Since it was originally a home, it is located in a beautiful area of the city. The grounds are lovely and worth a stroll on a nice day. The museum has expanded with an addition so that modern art exhibitions can be mounted here. The home has priceless art and some very nice displays of furnishings. Well worth your time to seek this one out. I don't know about public transportation here so a car is beneficial.

The museum originated when a private house and the collection it contained opened to the public in the 1950s. That extraordinary private collection has since been greatly enhanced by an enlightened acquisitions program as well as important gifts, including the Robert Tobin Theater Collection. The original mansion, beautifully sited on a hilltop surrounded by gardens, was the design of important San Antonio architect, Atlee Ayres in the 1920s. A half century later another greatly admired San Antonio architect, O'Neill Ford, designed two handsome additions, and the museum continues to grow. The core of the collection is 'modern' art, but there is also a gallery housing mediaeval art.