Isabella Stewart Gardner was a wealthy, independent-minded collector who spent decades buying art in Europe and Asia. In the early 1900s she built a museum in the style of a fifteenth-century Venetian palace on what was then the marshy edge of Boston, arranged her collection room by room, and opened it to the public in 1903. Her will required that nothing be changed, so the galleries still look almost exactly as she arranged them.

The courtyard

At the heart of the museum is a four-story courtyard under a glass roof, filled with plants and flowers that change with the seasons, framed by Venetian windows and balconies, Roman mosaics and statues. It is one of the most beautiful interior spaces in the country, and many visitors linger here longer than in the galleries. Seasonal displays, from orchids to hanging nasturtiums in spring, are famous.

The collection

Gardner collected European paintings, sculpture, furniture, textiles, rare books and letters, with a focus on the Italian Renaissance. Highlights include Titian's Europa, works by Botticelli, Raphael and Rembrandt, and many paintings by her friend John Singer Sargent, including a striking portrait of Gardner herself. Objects are displayed as she placed them, often with little labeling, which is part of the charm: the rooms feel like a home, not a gallery.

The 1990 theft

In the early hours of March 18, 1990, two men disguised as police officers talked their way into the museum, tied up the guards and stole thirteen works, including Vermeer's The Concert and Rembrandt's only known seascape, The Storm on the Sea of Galilee. It is often described as the largest property theft in history. None of the works has been recovered, and the case remains unsolved despite a large reward. Because Gardner's will forbade rearranging the collection, the empty frames still hang in their places, a haunting sight.

The new wing

A wing designed by Renzo Piano opened in 2012, with a concert hall, a gallery for contemporary art, a café and a greenhouse. It allows the museum to host concerts, artists in residence and changing exhibitions without altering the original palace.

Visiting tips

  • Book timed tickets online, especially at weekends.
  • Check special policies: the museum has long offered free admission to people named Isabella and on your birthday. Confirm current terms before you go.
  • Bags: large bags must be checked; photography rules vary by room.
  • Concerts: the museum's music program is excellent; check the calendar.

Getting there and pairing it

The museum is near the Back Bay Fens, reached by the Green Line E branch. The Museum of Fine Arts is a five-minute walk away, and Fenway Park fifteen minutes. A good afternoon combines the Gardner with a walk through the Fens.

Frequently asked questions

How long should I spend at the Gardner?

About an hour and a half to two hours. It is smaller than the MFA but rich in detail.

Were the stolen paintings ever found?

No. The theft is still unsolved, and the empty frames remain on the walls.

Is the Gardner suitable for children?

Older children who enjoy mysteries and beautiful spaces often love it. Very young children may find the quiet galleries hard.