apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I absolutely love this museum! When I lived in Boston some years back, I had a membership and always took out-of-town guests there. I love their visiting artist program as well -- they work within some strict limitations, but that seems to yield really inventive projects.

It's a beautiful museum in all aspects. They even have a great cafe there. :)

I just watched a show about how some of their paintings were stolen in the '90s - and they still display the frames sans paintings...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabella_Stewart_Gardner_Museum#Theft

The Gardner is tripling their size with a Renzo Piano addition, which is very exciting aside from the fact that I work next door and the noise this week has been unbelievable. It's a ridiculously beautiful space as it is, and the contemporary counterpoint next door will be very interesting.

I went a few years ago and LOVED it. So beautiful. Will definitely go back.
http://amiabletraveler.blogspot.com/2008/06/july-25-2002-boston.html

It is not exciting that those in charge of the Gardner Museum are going against the wishes of Isabella Stewart Gardner herself and destroying part of her home in order to expand the museum in part to build a larger gift shop!

looks like lego trees

Yes, I adore the museum too! It's so incredably unique. I, too, think it's a shame that they're making changes. C'est la vie. Check it out now if you can.

S_Boston - her will says nothing about the Carriage house. The extension will provide more space for revolving exhibitions while keeping her original collection intact. And - FYI - the current director went against the wishes of ISG's will when she first took over - she installed a climate control system because there wasn't one present. Condensation would build up in the humid times until the paintings were dripping. They're not going to ruin the museum - they're going to make it better.

And if you've never been, my 4 favorite things are the Michelangelo Pieta, the lead Pigeon, the bunnies having sex in the tapestry, and the Rembrandt in the feathered hat. Amazing!

I agree w/s_boston. Also, Gardner's wish was to keep her home/museum free to everyone -- not just her namesakes. When I first visited decades ago, a donation was optional. Now, there's a $12 entrance fee.
Somewhere, Isabella is crying.

The pictures don't even do it justice. Too bad they don't let you take your own.