Avenue of the Arts
465 Huntington Avenue
617- 267-9300
Events Line: (617) 369-3306
Web site: www.mfa.org
Like New York’s Metropolitan and Paris’
Louvre, Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is a megalithic
edifice housing great collections from myriad epochs and
cultures. One would need strong legs and endless hours to cover
more than a fraction of this world-class museum’s treasures.
From Buddhas to mummies to European
musical instruments, from ship models to ancient Greek vases to
early modern masters, this vast emporium of fine and decorative
arts offers aesthetic pleasures for nearly every taste.
Among the museum’s strengths are its
permanent collections of 19th- and early 20th-century
American painting, a large representation of regional artists
like Edward Hopper and John Singleton Copley, and European
painting from the Renaissance to Impressionism. Among the
decorative arts, collections range from colonial American
furniture to English silver to costumes and textiles.
Under the tutelage of the renowned Kakuzo
Okakura, author of the classic, The Book of Tea, the
Oriental collections of the MFA became world famous early in the
century. Okakura stressed covering systematic ranges of art
rather than acquiring isolated pieces. Today, you can wander
among early Chinese old master paintings or swords from feudal
Japan, visit the meditative and mysterious room of the Buddhas
or the contemplative Tenshin-en ("Garden in the Heart of
Heaven).
A continuously changing series of
lectures, concerts, performance, and film programs keeps the
museum lively and modish. Meals and snacks are served in The
Fine Arts Restaurant and several cafes. Guided walks and gallery
talks are available frequently.
Hours:
Monday and Tuesday 10 am-4:45 pm
Wednesday 10 am-9:45 pm
Thursday and Friday 10 am-9:45 pm, after 5
pm, West Wing and selected galleries only
Saturday and Sunday 10 am-5:45 pm
Admission/fees:
Adults: $12
Senior Citizens: $10
Full-time Students 16 and older: $10
Children 15 and under: Free
Fees are reduced $2 on Thursday and Friday
evenings
Wednesday evenings, 4-9:45 pm: admission
is by voluntary contribution
