The Art of Boston

Overview

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Everyone knows about the Museum of Fine Arts, but a lot of visitors to Boston miss the large number of smaller museums and galleries scattered about the city. In the following journal entries I’d like to mention a few of these hidden gems, ranging from the Gardner museum and the DeCordova (albeit a little outside the city) to the smaller galleries around the Back Bay. In addition to that, Boston has some pretty amazing art in places that aren’t as obvious (such as John Singer Sargent’s work in the Boston Public Library). Of course a guide to the art of Boston wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the MFA, so I’ll do my best to give a local’s point of view of some lesser-known highlights of the...Read More

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Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

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Attraction

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This is one of my Boston favorites and if I tried to write everything I want to share with you about this museum it would probably fill a book. The history of this museum is that interesting, so let me try to just hit a few highlights. In 1891 Isabella Stewart Gardner began her collection with the money she inherited from her father. She built Fenway Court (now known as the Gardner Museum) with the intention of using it as a showcase for her collection, with her own living quarters on the fourth floor. Contrary to popular belief the entire structure was not brought over from Venice, only various windows and balconies. She collected both masters and contemporary artists of ...Read More

This is one of my Boston favorites and if I tried to write everything I want to share with you about this museum it would probably fill a book. The history of this museum is that interesting, so let me try to just hit a few highlights.

In 1891 Isabella Stewart Gardner began her collection with the money she inherited from her father. She built Fenway Court (now known as the Gardner Museum) with the intention of using it as a showcase for her collection, with her own living quarters on the fourth floor. Contrary to popular belief the entire structure was not brought over from Venice, only various windows and balconies.

She collected both masters and contemporary artists of her day, often becoming friends with artists, in particular John Singer Sargent who painted her portrait in 1888. This caused a great amount of controversy in conservative Boston when it was displayed at the Botoloph Club. Following this, her husband asked that it not be publicly displayed during his lifetime. After his death in 1898 she continued to keep it from view until her passing. It is now on display at the museum.

Upon first entering the museum visitors are often awe struck at the display of Sargent’s “El Jaleo.” This painting first belonged to her cousin, Thomas Jefferson Coolidge, who loaned it to her while he was traveling. When he returned he found that she had reconstructed Fenway Court to showcase this painting in such a breath-taking manner that he gave her the painting on the spot.

Immediately to the right of the painting is the fabulous courtyard whose gardens change with the seasons.

As you continue through the museum you will undoubtedly notice empty frames hanging in one room. Isabella Stewart Gardner specified in her will that everything remain in the museum as she designed, so the decision was made to leave the frames empty and in their place after a robbery on March 18, 1990 in which 12 pieces (including 3 Rembrandts, a Vermeer, a Manet, and 5 Degas) were stolen, some cut directly out of their frames. So far none of these pieces have been recovered.

My suggestion for visiting this museum is to not try to visit on the same day you go to the MFA despite their close proximity – it would be too overwhelming. After marveling at “El Jaleo” and the courtyard upon entering, take a quick stroll through all the rooms stopping only when something strongly catches your eye. Then go to the museum shop and buy a guidebook. Isabella Stewart Gardner wanted people to react to the art, not the artist, so therefore refused to display any title plates next to the paintings. By experiencing the museum in this manner you are able to accomplish her wishes and then gain a deeper understanding of what you are seeing. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on July 25, 2000

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
280 The Fenway
Boston, Massachusetts 02115
(617) 566-1401

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DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park

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Attraction | "De Cordova Museum and Sculpture Park"

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Like the Gardner Museum, the De Cordova Museum started out as the vision of a sole collector. Julian de Cordova (1850-1945) traveled the world, collecting anything he found interesting. In the later years of his life he opened his home to visitors so the public could share his collection. To continue this beyond his lifetime he willed his property to the town of Lincoln (not far outside Boston), stipulating that it should be turned into a public museum. Unlike the Gardner Museum which displays the collection exactly as Isabella Stewart Gardner specified, Julian de Cordova’s collection was unfortunately determined not to be of significant value by independent appraisers, and the decision was ma...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on July 25, 2000

DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park
51 Sandy Pond Road
Lincoln, Massachusetts 01773
+1 781 259 8355

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Museum of Fine Arts Boston

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Attraction | "More to the MFA than meets the eye"

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Any visitor to Boston interested in art knows to visit the Museum of Fine Arts. Its world-class collection is absolutely wonderful and I’d be disappointed to hear of someone leaving Boston without having spent at least a few hours there. What a lot of people miss are all of the lesser-known events regularly occurring there. Probably one of the most overlooked benefits of the museum is the gallery talks. These cover numerous subjects within the MFA’s regular collection and their special exhibits (such as the Van Gogh: face to face, introductory slide talks). Another ongoing event is the MFA Fridays. From 5:30 – 9:30 every Friday night during the summer, the museum opens its co...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on July 25, 2000

Museum of Fine Arts Boston
465 Huntington Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02115
(617) 267-9300

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Copley who?

Story/Tip

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You have to love a city that names a major section of town after a painter. Copley Square, a large portion of the Back Bay, was, in 1883, named after John Singleton Copley (1738-1815). Copley is considered the finest portrait painter of colonial America. However, many of his most important works (including “Watson and the Shark” 1778) were painted after he relocated to London. Quite a few of his portraits can be seen at the Museum of Fine Arts. The Copley Society also takes its name from this great artist. The society is known as America’s oldest non-profit art association. Its gallery can be found at 158 Newbury St. So now as you walk through this lovely section of town ...Read More

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A chance to view a private collection

Story/Tip

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Ever wish you could take a glimpse into the homes of private collectors? One Bostonian is now opening her home to the occasional tour for a look at her collection. While this is not a regular event, with a little preplanning you can sign up for a tour through the Boston Center for Adult Education (617-267-4430).

The center also offers excellent walking tours of the Art and Architecture of Boston in the Back Bay, North End and South End areas.

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