Texas may not be the first place that springs to mind when seeking Michelangelo’s first painting or Picasso’s first sculpture. But in recent years, the cowboy state has roped in some extraordinary artwork coups, proudly exhibited in world-class venues that rival any gallery in New York or Europe.

Kimbell Museum
In 2009, the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, a city more famous for its rodeo and honky tonk, acquired Michelangelo’s ‘The Torment of Saint Anthony’, painted when he was 12 years old. The small but well-preserved gem was the first by the artist to enter an American collection and is one of only four known easel paintings believed to come from his hand (and two were unfinished). Depicting winged demons trying to pull the saint out of the sky, it was hidden away and doubted as authentic for more than a century. When I visited the Kimbell last year, nobody else seemed to notice this rare treasure hanging alone on a wall, perhaps because the rest of the gallery was so distractingly impressive too.

The Kimbell’s permanent collection comprises fewer than 350 artworks but each is distinguished by its astonishing level of artistic quality and importance. Among others, there are masterpieces by Monet, Matisse, Mondrian, Rembrandt and Cézanne.

The Modern, Fort Worth
Directly opposite, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth picks up where the Kimbell ends – the mid-20 th century. As the second largest modern art museum in the US (after New York’s MOMA), it houses more than 3,000 works including pieces by Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso. The bold building, reflected in a pond, and the restaurant are added highlights of an afternoon at The Modern.

Picasso’s first concrete sculpture is located about half an hour’s drive away in Dallas, at the Nasher. Standing three metres tall, ‘Head of a Woman’ is probably the least attractive sight in the open-air garden.

The Nasher
The Nasher Sculpture Center opened in 2003 and holds a great number of works by certain key artists, such as Picasso (seven), Giacometti (10), Matisse (nine), Miró (four) and Rodin. The sculptures have been exhibited around the world and, despite requests from many international museums to house the collection, Ray and Patsy Nasher choose to keep it in Dallas.

It was the first institution in the world dedicated exclusively to modern and contemporary sculpture and the current management keep things fresh. Aside from rotating exhibitions in the outdoor and indoor spaces, popular events are held each month. ‘Til Midnight’, staged under the stars in the evening, features alfresco dining, movies, music and twilight strolls, and ‘Target First Saturdays’ are aimed at children and families.

Dallas Art District
Spreading across 19 blocks, Dallas is home to the largest contiguous arts district in the United States. The range and depth of institutions makes the city an unparalleled destination for art lovers. Over three decades, 13 venues have opened in the pedestrian-friendly zone, and four of the buildings are designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects.

The one that started it all, Dallas Museum of Art (DMA), comprises more than 24,000 objects, dating from the third millennium BC to the present day. Its unique feature is the Wendy and Emery Reves Collection, which is housed in an extravagant 1,400 m² reproduction of the couple's home in France.

BOOK NOW

United, Delta and V Australia fly to the US but Qantas has non-stop flights from Sydney to Dallas/Fort Worth, becoming daily from July 2012. 13 13 13; qantas.com.au

Where To Stay

The Stoneleigh Hotel is steps away from the Dallas arts district and was recently restored to its original 1920s art deco grandeur through a US$36 million renovation. +1 214 871 7111; stoneleighhotel.com

Arts Venues

Dallas Museum of Art, dallasmuseumofart.org

Kimbell Art Museum of Fort Worth, kimbellart.org

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, themodern.org

Nasher Sculpture Center, nashersculturecenter.org

Public ArtWalk Dallas, publicartwalkdallas.org

Further Information

thedallasartsdistrict.org 

visitdallas.com