Monday, August 9, 2010

#24 The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum


Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
280 The Fenway,
Boston MA 02115

Travel Time: 10-20 min walk from NEU Campus, or MBTA E Green line to the MFA stop.

Cost: $5.00 for Students
Free if you're under 18
$10.00 for Adults

This museum is open Tuesday-Sunday from 11am to 5pm.

This is one of the more stricter museums I've been to in terms of packages, bags, cameras and the like. While most museums will allow non-flash photography, no camera's were permitted inside the museum. Additionally, any large purses and backpacks were asked to be checked in the coat check, and not permitted to be carried around the museum. There are security in every room, and every entrance. There are also certain rooms with a limited capacity, where you will have to wait to take a gander around. I think this in part has to do with the famous Museum heist, (which you can read about here: http://archives.cnn.com/2002/LAW/11/26/ctv.traces.museum.heist/index.html).

This museum is three floors, which incircle an indoor courtyard, one of the first built in Boston way back when. This courtyard is gorgeous, amazing and extremely peaceful. Even with the many tourists and visitors walking around, there is a certain quite when looking out into the courtyard. Unfortunately no-one is allowed into it. Also, on each floor there are windows open with balconies where you can gaze down into the courtyard. This is the focal point of this museum and collection, and probably my favorite part of this visit.

One of the really interesting things about this place is the fact that nothing (well almost nothing) has been touched since Isabella's death, as per her will. All the paintings, furniture and the like are arranged as she wanted the public to see them . With this in mind, these collections, each of the three floors, were the most eclectic and interesting exhibits. I want to get to know this woman who put this together, and most of all I left with the question, of why each thing was put in the room. Why certain pieces were together. It had to be one of the most eclectic collections ever.

The fact that nothing has been touched also leaves room for some remorse because there are quite a few empty frames, from that heist, where the thieves stole the paintings out of the frames. My favorite painting was located in the back left corner of the first floor, and it is El Jaleo, 1882 by John S. Sargent. It had such vibrant movement and color.

This museum is a great stop after the overwhelming galleries of the MFA, and over all you only need an 1 hour to an 1 1/2 hours here.



Don't Forget to Check Out Their Website: http://www.gardnermuseum.org/

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