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Address:
280 The Fenway
Phone:
(617) 566-1401
Hours:
Tues–Sun: 11am–5pm; closed most Mon, Thanksgiving, & Christmas
Cost:
Adult: 10.00
Child: Free
Senior: 7.00
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Overview
Isabella Stewart Gardner had a vision: she would create the perfect building then fill it with fine art, furniture, and tapestries. Fortunately, Gardner had the time and the substantial means to bring her vision to reality. The structure, completed and open to the public in 1903, sits beside The Fenway. Inside, a skylit, ground floor, center courtyard sets the tone and provides natural light for the artworks exhibited on the first three floors. Although intended as a museum, Gardner lived her last 20 years in a 4th floor apartment not open to the public.
How many of us can indulge our own tastes to such an extent? There are about 2,500 objects in this building; all personally purchased and placed by Gardner. Except for pieces missing on loan (or theft), the artwork is displayed as she originally chose. Many of the pieces are unmarked because she wanted the viewer to react to the art, not the artist. Others are carefully documented. She owned paintings by Rembrandt (two of which were stolen in 1990 along with a Vermeer and a Flinck), Degas, Raphael, Rubens; sketches by Matisse, a drawing by Michaelangelo, a portrait of herself by Sargent. She considered other art forms just as important: 250 textile pieces, including several Belgian tapestries hang here. There are almost 500 pieces of furniture; 200-year-old tables are set with fine china. There is too much here to take in with a single visit – but that’s true of most good collections.
If there is a flaw in her design, it was in the lighting. The museum is kept in its original state as mandated by Gardner in her will. Unfortunately, the original state means original lighting and window coverings. Although it’s important to protect such old works from damage by sunlight, on a rainy day it is almost impossible to see the artworks well. It is best to come on a sunny day, and beware - the guards are jumpy – you won’t be allowed to carry any type of bag or a camera inside. The stolen works have never been recovered, and the staff is well aware that not all visitors are friendly.
The museum is a tribute to Gardner’s taste and collecting abilities. Each floor is laid out in a circle around the courtyard (open air on floors two and three), making it easy to move from room to room. Some of the paper collection is hidden under cover, but visitors are welcome to lift the covers and read letters and other documents. In a few rooms, the wallpaper or upholstered walls, the floors and the ceilings are themselves a work of art. Gardner transported part of a French cathedral, stained-glass window, pews, and other items, to rest here; a Roman sarcophagus graces the West Cloister. Her taste was not limited to paintings on a wall, although there are plenty of those.
The museum is personal. Isabella Stewart Gardner’s presence is felt, not the least because there are a few portraits of herself planted about.
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