Last week, after the hectic school morning pace was behind me, I nabbed a jumbo DD hazelnut iced-java to sip on the ride into Boston for a very special Moms' field trip.
As it turns out, my mozzarella-making pal, Julie, had quite the art-filled life before taking on the momhood. An art history major, her pre-parenting career was spent in the Education Department of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
As it turns out, my mozzarella-making pal, Julie, had quite the art-filled life before taking on the momhood. An art history major, her pre-parenting career was spent in the Education Department of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
Source: google.com via Lollie on Pinterest
Though Julie is now the mom of two adorable and inquisitive youngsters, her love of this truly unique museum and its collection, and her abundant enthusiasm for sharing its stories, are undiminished.
Source: gardnermuseum.org via Lollie on Pinterest
I won't attempt to summarize the tale of Mrs. Jack (what many called Mrs. John Lowell Gardner, Jr.) & her museum, the museum's website does a fine job of that (that is if you aren't lucky enough to have a former tour guide for a friend), and I would love to share a collection of photographs I took while wandering through, but the museum bans photo taking (what!?).
What I can share is my strong recommendation to take the time to visit the Gardner, whether you reside right here in Boston or are just here for a brief time. I assure you, it's unlike any museum you've ever experienced.
There are no bright lights (we arrived on a rainy, gloomy morning, and the spaces seemed almost dreary, but as the skies cleared the galleries transformed with the brightening light), or expanses of sterile, white walls (walls are covered with French silk, painted leather, and ancient wood paneling), or signs with the details and stories of each work or object of art (as Julie explained, "Mrs. Gardner didn't want signs distracting people, she believed the art should be experienced, felt".
The Venetian-style palace Mrs. Gardner built remains mostly unchanged since her death (per her will) and is bursting with her treasured collections - European tapestries, Asian prints, fireplace mantles from disassembled castles, hand-painted Mexican tiles, porcelain, books, and painting by names unknown and other of great renown (Titan, Botticelli, Rembrandt, Matisse and Sargent to name just a few).
What I can share is my strong recommendation to take the time to visit the Gardner, whether you reside right here in Boston or are just here for a brief time. I assure you, it's unlike any museum you've ever experienced.
There are no bright lights (we arrived on a rainy, gloomy morning, and the spaces seemed almost dreary, but as the skies cleared the galleries transformed with the brightening light), or expanses of sterile, white walls (walls are covered with French silk, painted leather, and ancient wood paneling), or signs with the details and stories of each work or object of art (as Julie explained, "Mrs. Gardner didn't want signs distracting people, she believed the art should be experienced, felt".
The Venetian-style palace Mrs. Gardner built remains mostly unchanged since her death (per her will) and is bursting with her treasured collections - European tapestries, Asian prints, fireplace mantles from disassembled castles, hand-painted Mexican tiles, porcelain, books, and painting by names unknown and other of great renown (Titan, Botticelli, Rembrandt, Matisse and Sargent to name just a few).
Source: gardnermuseum.org via Lollie on Pinterest
Mrs. Gardner's curiosity, interests and tastes were divergent, representing her many travels around this globe, and there is something intriguing to gaze upon tucked into every nook and cranny of her museum. Julie's ebullient narration included many fascinating tales and insights, and walking through Mrs. Gardner's palazzo & collections made you feel like you were getting a glimpse into her art-loving psyche.
The Gardner Museum has closed until January 2012, to complete renovations & an expansion, but once it reopens, I look forward to exploring its galleries again, because the Gardner is definitely one of those places you can revisit, again and again, and always discover something you haven't spotted before.
Thanks, Julie, for sharing your love and knowledge of the Gardner!
The Gardner Museum has closed until January 2012, to complete renovations & an expansion, but once it reopens, I look forward to exploring its galleries again, because the Gardner is definitely one of those places you can revisit, again and again, and always discover something you haven't spotted before.
Thanks, Julie, for sharing your love and knowledge of the Gardner!
Julie (right) and her friend, Anna, outside the Gardner.
While doing a little post-field trip reading I discovered this fab Gardner quotes...
"Don't spoil a good story by telling the truth."
I'm thinking I need to learn a bit more about this unique lady!
Here are a few Gardner-related books I'm adding to my virtual "to read" stack.
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