Starting this week, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art will be something it hasn't been in recent memory: overwhelming.

When the museum unveils the final stage of its multi-year renovation this week, it will be the first time in 50 years that every gallery in the museum is in use, and its exhibit space will be larger than it's ever been.

"When entering Morgan Great Hall, people will gasp, or that's what we're hoping," said museum Director Susan Talbott. "This is the most number of paintings I believe we've had [on exhibit simultaneously], ever."