With an impressive collection of art, textiles, furniture and photographs, the captivating Isabella Gardner Museum tells the story of one of America’s most avid art collectors. Isabella Stewart Gardner was a philanthropist, patron of the arts and an important member of Boston society at the turn of the 20th Century. Her extensive collection includes masterpieces by Matisse, Degas, Rembrandt and Titian and spans thousands of years from ancient Rome to the modern day.
Almost as famous as the masterpieces contained inside is the museum building itself. Established in 1903, the building was inspired by the luxurious palaces of 15th Century Venice in Italy. A modern wing was added in 2012 to make room for the museum’s growing collection and provide space for educational programmes and performances. You need a minimum of two hours to see everything the museum has to offer, although a full morning or afternoon would be better.
The museum is divided into different rooms with charming names like the Little Salon, the Yellow Room and the Spanish Cloister. The rooms are arranged around a pretty central courtyard filled with trees, flowers and plants. The museum hit the headlines in 1990 when a number of its valued pieces were stolen. You can still see a few empty picture frames that have been left hanging, waiting for the painting to return.
The museum hosts an interesting programme of concerts and performances, with artists, musicians and ensembles visiting regularly. There are also various horticultural classes and tours for those interested.
The in-house café is relaxing and friendly, and serves up dishes that are based on recipes created by Gardner herself. You can pick up a nice souvenir or a gift for a loved one from the museum gift shop.
Open from Wednesday to Monday and closed for some public holidays, the Isabella Gardner Museum is located in the Fenway-Kenmore neighbourhood. The price of admission is low, and free for anyone named Isabella.
