Task 29 - Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Task 29: Go to 5 Museum's (1/5)

What makes the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum special isn’t just the incredible collection of European, Asian, and American art but more importantly a private collection whose owner decided to share it with the public long before her death. She was a great collector who understood  the cultural value of her collection and wanted the masses to be able to enjoy these important paintings, sculpture, tapestries and decorative arts as she did. Unlike most collectors she didn’t hoard them for her own private enjoyment.

How she decided to display them makes the collection even more impressive. She built a Venetian palace inspired by a 15th century Palazzo Barbaro in Venice that she and her husband had visited.  She hired Willard T. Sears to build her palace. She participated in every aspect of the design and integrated pieces she collected into the building where and when possible.  She then personally positioned each and every piece of art in her collection. When completed in 1903 the public was invited to enjoy her collection. Today each and every room is exactly how she had envisioned it would be for those who visited what she spent a lifetime collecting.

The 4-story building is 3 stories of galleries surrounding a covered garden courtyard where the seasons are represented with an ever changing selection of flowers and other lush foliage.  The building was constructed for the sole purpose of being a museum and the 4th floor was home to Isabella during the remainder of her lifetime.

The center garden courtyard is a work of art in its self and is a quiet sanctuary in a busy city. It is my favorite part of the museum. While the collection is impressive the building and the courtyard was Isabella’s vision and her addition to the collection.

When Isabella Stewart Gardner died in 1924, her will created an endowment of $1 million and outlined stipulations for the support of the museum, including the charge that her collection be permanently exhibited “for the education and enjoyment of the public forever” according to her aesthetic vision and intent. Gardner stipulated that if her wishes for the museum were not honored, the property and collection were to be sold and the money given to Harvard University.

The collection was thrust into the history books on March 18, 2990 when thieves disguised as Boston Police Officers gained entry and absconded with 13 works of art including The Concert by Vermeer considered the painting that inspired Isabella to begin her collection. None of these paintings have yet been recovered and the empty frames still hang on the walls where they once were.

Today they have made some recent additions to the property while maintaining the integrity of her vision. They have added a modern building designed by Renzo Piano to house special exhibits, concerts, and educational programs to further Isabella Stewart Gardner’s legacy. The purpose of the new building is to reduce the strain on the palace and the collection from foot traffic generated by such activities.

(Please note that there is no photography allowed in the Mansion. I learned that the hard way and was yelled at by a guard. Unfortunately for him I had already taken the following photos at that point. I am not sure that I understand the reason for the ban at least of the courtyard. Knowing a little about artwork I can appreciate the reason for no pictures of the art work since flashes actually degrade the varnish over time and require costly cleaning and harm to the artwork. The courtyard however is constantly drenched in sunlight and is magnificent and no harm would be done by taking a picture sans flash. The other possible reason I came up with for the ban of photography is security but again the courtyard is an internal space and no security concerns are present from a picture of that. Unless the thief attempted a Thomas Crown Affair style heist. Either way I apologized for my indiscretion. Interestingly upon leaving I heard the ticket taker instruction guest of the photography ban. I sure didn't hear that when I entered.)