Introduction
Philadelphia is a city rich with history and culture, so it’s no surprise that there are plenty of museums to explore. From the Rodin Museum to the Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia has something for everyone—from families to art enthusiasts.
The Barnes Foundation
The Barnes Foundation is a private art collection and educational institution located in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. The collection includes Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, early Modern and contemporary art as well as drawings and paintings by masters from Europe and the Americas.[1] On March 1st 2018 the Barnes Foundation announced that it will relocate to downtown Philadelphia at 30th Street Station.[2]
The foundation was created by Albert C. Barnes who lived from 1870-1951; he was an American physician who amassed this unique collection over many years beginning in 1914 when he purchased his first painting (Nude Descending Staircase by Marcel Duchamp). He opened his gallery on January 7th 1922 with only 12 paintings but quickly expanded due to popular demand until it became too large for his home on Lancaster Avenue where he had been living since 1900 with his wife Laura Coombs Walter[3]. In 1930 they purchased an old mansion in Merion Village where they moved their growing collection into what would become known simply as “The Mansion” because most locals didn’t know about its contents until after Dr Barnes died in 1951.[4]
Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the largest and most visited museums in the world. Its history dates back to 1876, when it was founded by artist, painter and writer Thomas Eakins and his friends.
The museum’s collection includes over 2,000 pieces that span 5 centuries of art history. The permanent collection includes works by Monet and Renoir as well as ancient Egyptian artifacts that were displayed during its opening year at the Centennial Exposition in 1876 (and subsequently moved into storage).
In addition to its permanent collection, the PMA hosts special exhibitions throughout each year that showcase contemporary artists’ work–including paintings by Paul Gauguin or sculptures by Henry Moore–as well as historical pieces from their own archives.
The building itself has been renovated several times since its initial construction; most recently between 2009-2011 when it underwent a $185 million renovation project spearheaded by architect Robert A M Stern who also oversaw projects such as New York City’s Museum of Modern Art reopening after 9/11 attacks on World Trade Center Towers 1&2
Rodin Museum
The Rodin Museum was established in 1929 by a group of Rodin’s friends, who donated their personal collections of his work. It houses more than 1,100 sculptures and drawings by the artist, along with some 300 works by other artists who influenced or were inspired by him.
The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions featuring artists ranging from Auguste Rodin himself to contemporary sculptors such as Louise Bourgeois and Claes Oldenberg. In addition to its permanent collection gallery and outdoor sculpture garden (which includes several large-scale pieces), there are two special exhibition spaces: The Gates Open Gallery features changing installations; while The Garden Pavilion showcases rotating displays related to gardening history or horticulture techniques used throughout history–or both!
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA)
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) was founded in 1805 as an institution dedicated to teaching and advancing the visual arts. It has a collection of over 30,000 pieces and houses one of Philadelphia’s most extensive collections of American art.
The permanent collection includes works by Thomas Eakins, Robert Henri, Samuel Colman and other noted artists from colonial times through today. The museum also features temporary exhibitions that highlight particular periods or themes within the history of American art.
PAFA is located at 118 North Broad Street
Woodmere Art Museum
The Woodmere Art Museum is a hidden gem in the suburbs of Philadelphia. It was founded in 1893 and has a permanent collection of over 30,000 works that date back to the Renaissance period. The museum exhibits the artwork of contemporary and modern artists, as well as famous ones like Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. They also have an exciting special exhibit every year — last year it was about how artists use color in their work! A new exhibit opens every month so make sure you check out what’s going on before your visit!
Penn’s Landing Waterfront Artist Residency Program (WAAP)
The Penn’s Landing Waterfront Artist Residency Program (WAAP) provides emerging artists with studio space, a stipend and mentorship opportunities. Artists must have a unique perspective on the city of Philadelphia, as well as an interest in developing their professional practice.
Philadelphia has many museums and galleries to explore.
When you’re exploring the art scene, there are plenty of things to consider. First, you want to make sure that you’re visiting the right museums and galleries. And second, it’s important for travelers to know how long they should plan on spending at each one.
This article will help guide you through all the options available by listing some of Philadelphia’s most popular museums and galleries. We’ve also included information about how far apart each one is from another so that visitors can make their own itinerary based on what interests them most!
Conclusion
Philadelphia’s art scene is rich and diverse, so there are plenty of places to explore. Whether you’re looking for something contemporary or traditional, there’s something for everyone in this city!
