Mystery Inc., Help Needed

Review by Katelynn Banville

Isabella Stewart Gardner was a collector. She had very specific ways she wanted things to be done, whether it was the construction of her home or the placement of her art. When she passed away, her will stated that she wanted everything in her home to stay exactly the way it was, and that her work should be donated to the city of Boston for the educational purposes of the youth.

Her being such a person reflected in the arrangement of her artwork in her home. She had an entertainment hall in her home where she would entertain her guests and hold events for her friends. She wanted her work to be interpreted by the viewer so none of her work had names or artists listed by it. The only painting in the building was named El Jaleo by John Singer Sargent. She watched this piece of work when her friend traveled to Europe, and when he returned he had found she turned her entertainment hall into a beautiful room to showcase this piece specifically.

The empty picture frames on the walls are beyond fascinating to sit and ponder. The museum was part of one of the largest art heists in US history. The robbers, still unknown, stole 13 paintings by cutting them out of the frames, or taking smaller ones directly off the walls. Since Mrs. Gardner’s wishes stated nothing be moved or changed within the home, the empty frames and hooks still sit on the walls leaving you to question how someone every got away with that.

She also had a controversial image of herself in an area which is assumed to be in an area that would have been her private collection. When she was alive, women were not believed to be powerful and this painting appears to defy that. She had her mouth partly open, her chest slightly revealed, with a strong posture and strings of pearls around her waist. Women were not supposed to show much skin so her body posture and skin were considered offensive when the painting was created. The pearls around her waist were another way of flaunting her wealth. Back then pearls around her waist could cost close to forty-five thousand dollars.

Overall, this museum truly shows a deep meaning of history and mystery. There is plenty to observe, and take in at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is the Middle Earth of Art

Review by Heaven Bellamy                                         

This museum is an encapsulation of unbelievable art that does the work of mystifying its examiners. It is a building that holds a kaleidoscope of moments in history. Each gallery faces a centered garden that acts as a justified triennium of natural life. The center piece gives each transition between floors a profound feeling of openness. The acoustics of voices, and water fountains echo through each opening of the windowsills to the garden. Perhaps the most obscure, yet mesmerizing opening in the garden is the one on the second floor that piers into a long granite staircase that leads to one of the several galleries of randomly placed rustic items. The clear glass ceiling to this magnificent center room gives the illusion that the garden is outside, and because of its massive height and width, it might as well be.

            The rooms that surround the garden are riddled with thickly layered Victorian paintings and artifacts that show their age through their worn down color, and their tendency to dully reflect light. Along several of the walls are massive fixtures of thick tapestry with years’ worth of detail. Each long sheet of countless thread tells their own story.

One of the most memorable rooms is the one that holds Isabella Stewart Gardeners portrait in the corner. This room’s most recognizable theme is religion. There are angel carvings and figurines lined along each wall. Several of them are holding candles, and watching over paintings of Mary and Jesus. It is impossible to avoid the brightly colored red, yellow, and blue stained glass on the back wall that depicts the deliberation of Roman Catholics in the grey area time period. In the center of the room, there are rows of aged jewelry boxes with tiny locks for miniature keys. It is a wonder what purpose these boxes might serve, especially in such abundance. But, regardless of their strange and unusual nature, they catch the eye, and fail not to amaze.

The pieces themselves are works of magic, but the rooms that they are held in are masterful in design and in architect. All the way from the ceilings that look like the tops of treasure chests, to the tile floors that look like ancient buildings sculpted out of brick, this museum is an ingenious creation with beautiful intention.

A visit to the Isabella Stewart Gardener is an experience that rejuvenates the soul, and it is sure to be well worth your while.

Art: Priceless or Worthless of the money

review by Chloe Hoang

Would you spend 1.6 million dollars on art? Isabella Stewart Gardner certainly did. Some may think that the money spending artworks is money not well spent. However, a visit to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum will change your mind. The museum used to also be her home. Calling this building Isabella’s museum or home is an understatement, because it is far too sophisticated and luxurious to be just that. Stepping into the museum, you will be amazed and confused and you will wonder whether you are still in the 21^st century in Boston, or you are back in the 1800s in the castle an episode of Reign.           

            Isabella Stewart Gardner was one of the biggest art collectors in America. She was born in New York City in 1840. She had dreamt of collecting and opening her own museum since the age of 16. In 1891, when her father, David Stewart passed away, she inherited 1.6 million dollars from him. Isabella and her husband decided to use the money to collect art. She achieved her dream at the age of 62, when she finally built the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

            Each floor of the museum was arranged meticulously by Isabella. She leaves no description to any piece of art in her museum because she wanted everyone who came and enjoy the art to have their own interpretation of the art. From the architecture of the museum to all the artwork placements, Isabella was very involved in the processes of creating the museum.

Isabella collected a large amount of portraits. She placed most of the portraits that she collected in a large, royal dinning room. There are distinct candle stands on the four walls of this room. One of the more powerful paintings is on the right corner of the north wall. It is mysterious and striking portrait of Mary I Queen of England. In the portrait, Queen Mary sits red chair with gold patter, in a stiff upright position. Her hair is in an up-do with a small but very expensive diamond crown on her head. She is dressed in a maroon and brown, velvet dress with a blue flower pattern layer underneath. She is also wearing a rectangular, dark blue gem necklace, so big that you definitely cannot miss it. She is holding a blush pink rose on her left hand. On her waist, as well as a golden waist chain/ belt with a Catholic cross attached. Her stare is right at you, very firm, strong, and even urgent, like she was trying to say something.

Queen Mary’s portrait was painted by the King of Spain’s painter. This portrait was painted specifically for the King of Spain to introduce her to him before they get married. Thus the purpose of the portrait, all the clothing choices, to posture choices would all be intentionally. Queen Mary’s portrait portrayed her as a very wealthy and powerful woman. Unlike the usual image of woman at that time who were supposed to be more fragile and obedient to men, Queen Mary seemed to hold her ground.

            Below the portrait, Isabella placed chairs similar to the one in the portrait. There is a candle stand of a black angle next to the portrait. Isabella preserved a whole corner for Queen Mary’s painting. Just like the viewers, Isabella was definitely mesmerized by the incredibly power that Queen Mary held. Even at one small corner of a big room, Queen Mary’s fierceness still stood out, just like how she did in her reign.

            After visiting the museum, you will still think that Isabella Stewart Gardner is somewhat crazy for spending so much money on art, but you will agree that her insanity if reasonable because the castle-like museum is very worth her inheritance.