From Earth’s first inhabitants to the development of humans, museums all over the world are documenting the evolution of our planet. Whether you’re interested in insects or prefer more furry friends, join us on a virtual tour of five natural history museums.
With over 80 million specimens, the Natural History Museum lets you encounter wonders of the natural world all in one place.
While you’re there, look up and you'll spot Hope, the 25.2-meter Blue Whale who lives in the main hall. Or if you want to dig deeper, explore the hidden world of the tank room.
At the National Museum of Nature and Science, each floor is organized around a different theme, informed by the museum's collection of original specimens.
Welcome to the Global Gallery, where the theme 'The History of Life on Earth' explores the evolution of living things on the planet. Click on the arrows to explore for yourself.
The Museum für Naturkunde is both a research center and a museum, covering zoology, palaeontology, geology, and mineralogy.
One of its impressive features is the biodiversity wall, hosting over 3,000 specimens...
...although this is only a tiny fraction of the 30 million specimens at the museum.
You might also come face to face with the Brachiosaurus, the tallest mounted dinosaur skeleton in the world. Although this Jurassic giant lived 150 million years ago, you can now experience it brought back to life with Virtual Reality.
The American Museum of Natural History is home to more than 33 million specimens and artifacts, including Lucy, the 3.2-million-year-old ape thought to be our oldest ancestor.
Do you recognize this T. rex from the Night at the Museum movies? It actually lives at the American Museum of Natural History! Check out the real exhibits behind the film.
Museu Nacional is the oldest scientific institution in Brazil and the biggest museum of natural history and anthropology in Latin America.
In 2018, a large part of the museum collection was destroyed in a fire. Although some artifacts were recovered, including the oldest skeleton found in the Americas, you can now virtually rediscover the collections lost in the fire.
Want more to explore? Check out more natural history or take a virtual tour around 7 science museums around the world.
The Renaissance was a time when art and culture was reborn, emerging from centuries of stagnation during the Middle Ages. Based on a rediscovery of classical philosophy, the movement has been seen by many to mark the beginning of the modern age. Art was a huge part of this new movement.
But can you name the artistic geniuses behind these Renaissance masterpieces?
The title means spring in Italian and is believed to have been created around 1482, making it one of the most famous early examples of Renaissance art.
Many critics have attempted to interpret the painting and develop explanations about its meaning. For some, it is a mythical allegory while others say it is was commissioned by the legendary Medici family to celebrate a marriage in the family.
The unusual use of color and huge array of plant species featured have also led to many other different interpretations of the work, making it one of the most controversial paintings in the world.
But who painted it?
This seasonal masterpiece is currently located in the legendary Uffizi Gallery in Florence, home to some of the world's best Renaissance art.
This painting, known as the Sistine Madonna, was completed in 1512. The painting shows Mary holding baby Jesus in her hands with Saint Barbara and Saint Sixtus on each side of her, with two cherubs underneath.
This is considered one of the most important paintings of the Renaissance. It was commissioned by Pope Julius II to honour his late uncle, Pope Sixtus IV. The commission required that the painting feature both Saints Sixtus and Barbara.
For many years, the painting resided in Dresden but had to be rescued from the Allied bombing campaign during World War II. It was moved to the Soviet Union but returned to Germany after the death of Stalin in 1953.
But do you know the artist?
Since its return in the 1950s, the painting has been displayed in the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden, which specialises in displaying Renaissance art.
Created in 1498, The Last Supper is an incredibly important painting of the Renaissance period and for art history in general. The image shows Jesus with his disciples during the last supper before his crucifixion.
The work is noted for its unusual use of color, light, and the anatomical nature of the figures in the picture. This painting has perhaps been the subject of more discussion and conjecture than any other in history, including the idea that it contains secret messages or codes hidden within the images.
Despite (or perhaps thanks to) all the controversy and debate, The Last Supper remains a defining masterpiece of the Renaissance.
But who painted it?
This 1520 copy of The Last Supper, done by Giampietrino, can be found on the walls of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan.
You can discover some little known facts about Leonardo da Vinci here.