An Oasis in The City

review by Mark Bedetti

A static venetian inspired courtyard stands confidently in the center of an extravagant piece of architecture housing the private collection of Isabella Stewart Gardner. Gardner began to pursue the making of the museum after her husband’s death in 1898 and it was eventually opened to the public in 1903. Gardener’s idea was that she would leave it to the people to be viewed. She even stated in her will that none of the art could be touched or rearranged as she had arranged it herself in the best way according to her. The museum is also known for one of the largest art heists in history when in 1990, two thieves disguised as police officers stole thirteen pieces of art which totaled to around $500 million dollars stolen.

            The museum was split up by floors with a different story told in each room. Her attention to detail was apparent in the arrangement of pieces from how they were split up. For example, the second floor was home to one of the most famous rooms in the museum, the Dutch Room which kept a collection of pieces from Northern-European artists. In many cases, the area around the painting and in the gallery would match the setting within the piece. For example, in a picture of Queen Mary I, she is seen as sitting on a red chair with a floral pattern very similar to the chairs surrounding the painting. This did an amazing job of helping to extend the piece and immerse the viewer. This also helps to explain the interpretation of the piece as well as the understanding on why Mrs. Gardener might have placed the painting in that setting.

            The third floor contrasted to the rest of the building in its own individual way. This area was said to be the previous personal quarters of Mrs. Gardener and still containing many of her personal belongings. It opened up to a space with stain-glassed walls, religious artifacts, and a tall portrait of Isabella Stewart Gardener. In the portrait, she is painted as wearing a black dress with bare arms, pearls worn around her waist, and a fairly curvy body. This was as seen as an extremely powerful image at the time in United States as women were almost always seen with a concealing dress and covered arms. The pearls around her waist were also seen as a risk and a big jump as pearls were expensive and there was a risk of her breaking them easily while around her waist showing off her massive wealth.

            Gardener surrounded her self-portrait with these objects to help explain the piece with greater detail just as she had done with previous pieces and rooms. It gives the ability to see her personality as it relates to where she placed. The painting is on the third floor and tucked out of the way as if she was trying to step back and let everyone view the rest of the museum. The fact that it is surrounded by religious objects and stain glass allows the connection that she had with religion as well.

            Isabella Stewart Gardener filled her home with thousands of pieces of art over one hundred years ago arranging everything from the flower pots to the famous portraits just how she wanted it. This extraordinary space in the middle of the city is something that should be kept as long as possible for many others to see just as Gardener would have wanted.