This handsome Venetian-style palazzo was once home to Isabella Stewart Gardner, a celebrated 19th-century socialite and patron of the arts. She constructed this Fenway mansion to house the fantastic art collection that she and her husband had amassed over the years.
Now a delightful museum, the palazzo contains some 2500 pieces of art and artifacts that Isabella personally collected or commissioned. The setting is stunning, especially the exquisite cloisters on the 1st floor.
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum's centerpiece is the delightful four-story courtyard filled with lush greenery, seasonal blooms and evocative sculptures.
Isabella's will stipulated that her art-filled palazzo never be altered, so it took some finagling to get permission to construct an addition on the south side called the Piano Building. The space includes a lovely concert hall and a vibrant art-in-residency program, all to continue sharing Isabella's love for art and culture with the community. Concerts take place on Sunday afternoons and occasional Thursday evenings.
It's recommended to book your tickets in advance (gardnermuseum.org), especially on weekends, public holidays and school vacations.
Art Heist
On March 18, 1990, two thieves disguised as police officers broke into the Gardner Museum and stole nearly $200 million worth of artworks. The most famous painting stolen was Vermeer’s The Concert, but the loot also included pieces by Rembrandt, Manet and Degas, as well as French and Chinese artifacts. The crime was never solved. Since Isabella's will stipulated that her exhibit should never be altered, the empty frames still hang on the walls.
