I visited The Barnes Foundation in Merion, Pennsylvania. The Barnes Foundation was founded in 1922 by Albert C. Barnes and houses one of the largest Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and early Modern collections of paintings. 
T0 see the masterpieces I studied in Art History class was truly an unbelievable experience. 
The collection consists of 181 Renoirs, 69 Cézannes and 59 Matisses, along with works by Manet, Degas, Seurat, Prendergrast, Titian and Picasso. One of the most fascinating aspects of the collection is that Dr. Barnes arranged it by aesthetic value. He grouped works together the way he wanted them to be viewed.
After viewing the galleries we toured the property. 
There were so many interesting trees and scrubs and most of them were labeled.
I spotted a sign of spring. The collection is being relocated to Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Center City, Philadelphia in 2012. The move has created an enormous amount of controversy. "The Art of the Steal" is a documentary about the struggle for control of the collection.
There where signs on people's lawns in Merion that read "Join the fight to save The Barnes".
One neighbor had this image displayed on their fence.
You can sign a petition to keep the Barnes Collection in Merion at the Friends of The Barnes Foundation website.
There where signs on people's lawns in Merion that read "Join the fight to save The Barnes". One neighbor had this image displayed on their fence. You can sign a petition to keep the Barnes Collection in Merion at the Friends of The Barnes Foundation website. "The Barnes Foundation is the only sane place to see art in America" -Henri Matisse
11 comments:
I am so happy you posted about the Barnes foundation. Ever since I saw Art of the steal, I was totally mesmerized and captivated by the story aka stealing of this incredible treasure. I am so jealous you got to go...my mom and I have talked about wanting to visit ourselves and even join in on the protests against taking it away from Merion! I have seen the film I think 5 times and counting and its just such a fascinating but sad story. The art collection is just hard to wrap your head around..what a national treasure. Thank you for this!
Oh I'd love to visit the Barnes Foundation sometime. I just love impressionist artwork. I also need to check out the new wing of the Boston MFA soon!
Thank you for the Barnes Foundation post. It is indeed an awesome collection. I have friends in Merion and Haverford and have seen it often. I am voting for it to stay in Merion! Beautiful shot of the crocus. Spring is a'comin.
EAS..Stay tuned, the Montgomery County Judge who wrote the original decision allowing the trust to be broken is re-opening the case based on info disclosed in "Art of the Steal"...this saga may not be over yet.
I signed the petition! I love impressionist art, so hopefully someday I'll be able to check it out. I also love your boots, by the way!
We are heading to Merion/Philly soon to see this collection as well. I've seen the film twice. It is so upsetting. I hope Main Line is right. It would be such a victory if this collection were to stay in the same place!
"Art of the Steal" is such an amazing documentary. Having grown up near the Barnes, it truly is upsetting to see one man's wishes not honored after he has given his most prized possession, his art collection, to a cause he believed in. So glad you had the opportunity to see it as it was meant to be seen.
I love the field trips that you take us along on and can I say the pic of you on the steps needs to be a fb pic, stat?!
xoox
kHm
I've never heard of The Barnes Foundation, but it looks like a stunning museum. And that documentary looks riveting! My husband is from Philadelphia so I'm going to have to ask him if he knows anything about this.
A post for a cause! Very nice :)
i love your boots!
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