Tracing the development of museums from personal treasure troves to multi-functioned institutions offers a fascinating journey through time. From the "pre-history" of the museum in ancient times to its birth in the Renaissance and evolution up to the present day, here is a beautifully illustrated guided tour to the architecture of the world's most famous and beloved museums. Accompanied by an authoritative text, modern photography is combined with period paintings and illustrations to show both the evolution of architectural styles and the changing tastes in artwork displays. From the Louvre and Hermitage to the Uffizzi and Pitti Palace to the San Francisco MoMA and the Guggenheim in Bilbao,this is an up-to-date survey of the world's great museums. Over 90 full-color illustrations reveals the splendors of these magnificent buildings.