Author: Aleksandra Piszczyk
This article is a part of the MAGIEL GO GLOBAL initiative, a program aimed at international cooperation between quality student publications.
Museums and art galleries are often the main attractions when traveling, becoming a “must-see” part of visiting a new country or city. Everyone has experienced entering a museum full of energy and excitement, ready to appreciate the beauty and gain new knowledge, only to find their interest waning as the visit progresses. At first, we meticulously examine every detail, slowly moving from one exhibit to the next. But soon, we find ourselves just wandering around, stopping only occasionally to glance at something that catches our eye.
The term “museum fatigue” was coined by Benjamin Ives Gilman, who was among the first to suggest that the reason people don’t enjoy museums or art exhibitions as much as they’d like to isn’t their lack of interest, but the museum environment itself. According to Gilman, the way exhibitions are presented often isn’t visitor-friendly. This makes the experience more demanding. Poor lighting, for example, forces visitors to find the right angle where the light isn’t reflecting off the artwork. In other cases, the placement of objects requires visitors to bend down or look up too often, straining their eyes and leading to quicker fatigue.
Gilman argued that this not only makes visiting a museum a tiring experience but also hinders our ability to fully comprehend and admire the art. Adequate viewing, he said, demands exertion. He famously noted, “As presently installed (referring to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston in 1909), the contents of our museums are largely preserved, not shown.” He even photographed the awkward positions required to properly view certain artworks.
Fortunately, museum display methods have evolved over time and continue to improve. From Renaissance-era cabinets of curiosities, where paintings were hung from floor to ceiling, to exhibitions organized thematically or chronologically, to today’s use of technology like virtual reality, much has changed. However, despite these improvements, people still experience museum fatigue. While much has been done, there is still a long way to go. Museums need systematic changes in how exhibitions are designed, taking the visitor’s experience into account. This can be challenging, especially in older buildings that are difficult to modify, such as the National Museum in Warsaw. Constructed just after World War II, the building initially lacked accommodations for people with disabilities. Adjustments were made later, and today the museum is not only a symbol of resilience but also a prime example of Socialist Realist architecture.
Although some architectural barriers are impossible to overcome, the National Museum in
Warsaw does what it can to make visits as pleasant as possible. For instance, the Gallery of 19th-Century Paintings is exceptionally long. As mentioned earlier, the longer the exhibition, the less attention visitors tend to have. To address this, the museum has installed comfortable couches in the gallery. Additionally, visitors can borrow portable chairs at the entrance, allowing them to sit down whenever needed. This helps reduce physical fatigue and gives your legs a much-needed break. There are also places to sit, drink water, or simply relax outside the galleries—more couches there, too. This can help you reset before heading to the next exhibit.
If you’re someone who enjoys spending hours in museums, you’ll appreciate that your ticket is valid for the entire day. This means you can leave and return later, perhaps taking a walk to clear your head and reflect on the beautiful art you’ve seen. But not everyone is a museum enthusiast who spends hours looking at painting after painting. Most visitors are tourists or people who enjoy being surrounded by beauty from time to time. For them, the National Museum in Warsaw has prepared a map highlighting the most important exhibits in each gallery, allowing visitors to complete their tour in about 1.5 hours. Additionally, volunteers stationed near the entrance can help tailor your visit to your needs, advising on what to see and where to find it.
The National Museum in Warsaw also caters to visitors with special needs. Every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., the museum hosts “quiet hours,” during which visitors are expected to be even more silent than usual. During these hours, there are no group visits or educational programs. The 19th-Century Gallery also features a “quiet room,” originally designed for parents caring for children or women breastfeeding, but it’s also a refuge for neurodivergent individuals who might feel overwhelmed by their visit. Anyone can use this space if they need a break.
As you can see, museums are aware of the problem of museum fatigue. However, there’s still a need for systematic change in how we exhibit art and design museums or galleries. Many buildings currently used for these purposes were built long ago, when no one considered these factors. While more research is needed in this area, for now, we must focus on our comfort during visits. I hope you found my article enjoyable and that you’ll use this information to make your museum visits (not just to the National Museum in Warsaw) as refreshing as possible.
