The museum building was designed by I.M. Pei, the architect famous for the Louvre Pyramid in Paris.
The structure is specifically engineered to look different from every angle due to its cantilevered, concrete-heavy design.
It holds one of the most comprehensive collections of Japanese woodblock prints in the United States.
The building is situated on the site of the former Old Armory, which burned down in 1960.
The sixth floor houses a study gallery that allows visitors to request specific items from the collection for private viewing.
The Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art is located on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca and is housed in an iconic I.M. Pei-designed building. Its permanent collection encompasses over 40,000 objects ranging from ancient artifacts to contemporary global art. The facility is notable for its 'wing' design and its elevated position on the edge of a deep gorge. Visitors can view extensive holdings in Asian art, particularly Japanese prints, as well as significant American and European paintings. The museum serves as a teaching facility for Cornell students while maintaining a robust schedule of rotating special exhibitions. The structure's cantilevered design provides an unobstructed vantage point overlooking Cayuga Lake and the surrounding Finger Lakes landscape.
The outdoor plaza on the ground level looking back at the building's geometric facade, or the sixth-floor windows facing the lake.
Visit the sixth floor for the most expansive panoramic views of the Cornell campus and Cayuga Lake.
Check the online calendar before visiting, as the museum frequently hosts university-specific events that may restrict gallery access.
Use the 'Collections Online' search tool on the museum website to identify specific pieces you wish to locate before arrival.
Do not attempt to park in nearby university lots without first checking permit requirements, which are strictly enforced on weekdays.
Closed on Mondays and major university holidays.
Maintain a quiet volume and refrain from touching artwork; no large backpacks or flash photography in restricted galleries.
