Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
280 The Fenway
617-566-1401
What's
New?
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.
Hours:
Tuesday – Sunday: 11 – 5
Closed most Mondays.
Closed Thanksgiving and
Christmas.
Admission:
Adults: $10.00 ($11 on weekends)
Seniors: $7.00
Students with I.D.: $5.00 ($3.00
on Wednesdays)
Children under 18: Free
