Ringling Museum of Art – Sarasota, FL
There are personal museums of art around the world but the Ringling Museum of Art has some of the most outstanding artwork any place. Established by John Ringling and his wife, Mable, of the world known circus family, this museum showcases quality fine art from around the world. Most of the pieces that were purchased by the Ringlings was purchased at auction. The paintings and sculptures in the Museum include works by the great Old Masters including Rubens, van Dyck, Velázquez, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, El Greco, Gainsborough and more.
The museum was designed by John H. Phillips in 1925 with construction beginning in 1927, right before the land boom ended in Florida and the stock market crashed throwing the US into financial chaos.
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art was officially opened to the public in 1931.
In the Courtyard of the museum of Art features casts of original antiquities and renaissance sculputures. There is een the towering David by Michelangelo, two fountains 0 Fountain of Tortoises, one of three replicas from the Piazza Mattei in Rome and the Oceanus Fountain which was copied from the 16th century original by Giovanni Bologna in Florence’s Boboli Gardens.
At one time the couple, John and Mabel, owned 25% of Sarasota’s total area. The first project that they undertook in Sarasota was to build the splendid Venetian Gothic Mansion known as Ca d’Zan. The Mansion was built between 1924 and 1926 for a total cost of $1.5 million which was a huge amount of money at the time. The construction of the house was supervised by Mable. The architect was Dwight James Baum.
John Ringling died at the age of 70 and his first wife, and love of his life, died at the age of 54. But, the dream of both of them lives on in the beautiful Museum.
Tours are available of the Art Museum as well as the other buildings on the estate. There is more information in another article on this site about the Circus Museums. All visitors should be aware and cautious of the many steps and uneven floors and terrain throughout the Museum of Art, Ca d’Zan Mansion, Circus Museums, gardens, and grounds.
There are two types of tours available for the estate, the self guided tour of the Museum of Art are from 10 am – 5:30 pm. This tour is included with general admission. The Audo Tour admission is an additional $5.
The Guided tours are at 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm and 4 pm. This tour is also included with general admission.
Special exhibit tours are at 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm.
Location: 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
Phone: 941-359-5700
Hours:
7 days a week
10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Days
Estate grounds open from 9:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
General Admissions
Adult $25
Senior 65+ $20
Students 18+ w/ID $10
Child 6-17 $10
Fl Teachers w/ID $10
Active US Military $10
Children under 6 No Charge
Members No Charge
General Admission allows guests to visit all venues currently open. Check Daily Tours for those included in general admission.
Call 941.351.1660 for recorded information about events, hours and programs.
Call 941.358.3180 for Advance Ticketing Information.
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Great blog. I worked at the museum from 83-86. At the mansion. A beautiful place. Great blog. All the best.