Great art via Google

Google has announced the launch of Art Project.   The project has used ‘street view' technology to capture world famous art in high resolution.  Seventeen art galleries around the world have participated in the project, including the Uffizi Gallery (Florence) and the State Hermitage Museum (St Petersburg).  Great works of art have been captured in extraordinary detail - you can zoom in close enough to see microscopic details.   You can also take a virtual tour around the museums.  The project aims to broaden access to art, and for the participating museums the hope is that virtual access will encourage more in-person visits.