THE MENIL COLLECTION

Begun in France in 1931, through the marriage of a banker, Jean de Menil (1904-1973) and a wealthy oil heiress, Dominique Schlumberger (1908-1997), the Menil Collection is one of Houston's proudest achievements. Housed in a magnificent building designed by architect Renzo Piano, the collection spans numerous periods and geographical zones. Works of modern and contemporary art are on display, as well as Polynesian art and Egyptian antiquities. It's a collection of rare quality, where you're not overwhelmed by the sheer number of works on display, but rather by the relevance of the selection. All this in a light, airy space where Renzo Piano has had the good idea of combining sober interiors with outdoor patios teeming with extravagant flora. Despite appearances, Texas and the city of Houston are world-renowned centers for the art world. Indeed, visitors and collectors from all over the world come to the Menil Collection to see, for example, the famous Rothko Chapel built in 1971. This chapel is not only famous for its paintings, but also for the harmony between art and a place of prayer or meditation, designed to accommodate all existing religions and spiritual practices. It is comparable to the chapels of Chagall and Matisse in France. The collection also includes works by Cy Twombly, with his special dedicated gallery, as well as by Tinguely, Magritte, Ernst, Klee, Picasso and others...