Have you ever been to a museum that is so big you feel rushed because you don't want to miss anything. This museum is the perfect size to relax, take your time, and enjoy the details of the exhibits.. I toured a few exhibit rooms, went outside and strolled through the sculpture garden, got my second wind in the cafe overlooking the garden, seating indoors and out, then finished the exhibits and stopped by the great shop. It was a very relaxing inspiring day. Wonderful events, classes, and tours also.

This is one of the most remarkable small art museums I have ever visited. The physical environment is ideal, with the paintings displayed without crowding and in a series of galleries that one follows with increasing curiosity. The lighting is near perfection and is balanced for the object being displayed. But of course the greatest joy is to be found in the paintings and illustrations displayed. The Bamcroft collection of Pre-Raphaelites is famous as the best outside England. Bancroft and his successors had the knack of selecting some of the very best paintings by Rossetti and there are as well paintings by Milais, Holman Hunt, Burne-Jones, Arhur Hughes, Albert Moore, Sandys and Marie Spartali. The paintings by Spartali are especially beautiful. Rossetti's 'Found' is amazing when seen in real life: no reproduction does it credit.
For those who visit just to see the Pre-Raphaelites, it is a thrill to discover a local American artist, Howard Pyle. The museum has a large collection of his illustrations and paintings: they are quite splendid and need to be more widely known.
Wilmington is just over one hour by train from Washington DC and I urge anyone who loves fine art to make this journey.

The Delaware Art Museum is a real gem of Wilmington and the entire Bandy wine valley. Its size is not so great that you feel overwhelmed when entering like many others you may have gone to in Philadelphia or Washington D.C. but its enough that you know you can spend all day enjoying the fine art with out having to rush to see it all. Its has many great collections and exhibitions. One great thing about this museum is its amazing Pre-Raphaelite collection which is the largest in the entire nation. No Matter if you live in the area or will only be visiting for a few days do not miss this amazing museum.

The Delaware Art Museum is a nice little museum. It doesn't compare to the museums in larger cities, but it is exceptional for a place the size of Wilmington. There is more than enough art to see in one visit, and you might not be able to see it all at once. I visited the museum in March 2010 and stayed for about 3 hours. Our party of three got in on the $25 family admission.

The Delaware Art Museum is tucked back in a neighborhood near the Trolley Square area of Wilmington. You'll definitely need a GPS receiver or map since the building is several blocks away from the main streets. Parking is adequate and there is a nice place at the front to drop off passengers before parking.

The first few galleries are pretty good, but not outstanding. There are a few hidden gems from artists like Winslow Homer but in general the artists are not well-known. Each room is organized by a period in American history. One complaint I have is that many of the works are actually story illustrations from a magazine such as Harper's Weekly. Often the descriptions do not do a good job of explaining what is happening in the scene. It doesn't help that some of the stories are very fantastical and outlandish. I didn't enjoy the upstairs section as much because it focuses on modern art.

The real highlight of the museum is its collection of Pre-Raphaelite art, said to be the largest outside of the British Isles. The gallery devoted to this collection does a great job of explaining the motivations of the artists and the themes they were trying to express. Also, the artwork is pretty cool to look at. The museum is worth it for this gallery alone. Definitely a must-see for the Wilmington area.