When I planned what I wanted to see in Boston geographically, it easily fell into three groupings: a history day, an art day, and a waterfront day. I chose two museums to fill the art day, the incomparable Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the unique Isabella Stewart Gardiner Museum. Both were southwest of my bed and breakfast, a direction I hadn’t yet explored, and were just a few blocks apart. (If you are expecting to see photos of art here, you will be disappointed—I generally don’t take photos inside museums.)
The Fine Arts Museum was high on my list and I knew it would take most of a day, even though I would be selectively visiting only a few sections that most interested me. The European paintings consumed most of my time. The Dutch artists had their own space. I am endlessly romanced by the French Impressionists, pre- and post-, and those inspired by them. I studied their images, treasures I had never seen in person before, and reflected back to my art history university days and to the week I spent visiting French towns and sites where they painted. (To find those posts, Paris as a base is good place to start.) Many large Monet canvases created an atmosphere of his water lilies in one room. Degas’ clothed sculpture of a young dancer was a lovely surprise; I had just read it about in a book about his dear friend, artist Mary Cassatt. Sigh! A short stroll through twentieth-century American artists, a special exhibit including Native American artists, and a rest and light lunch at the museum café. I knew I needed to leave some time to get to Isabella’s.
Isabella Stewart Gardiner, an imaginative, wealthy art collector, created her extensive collection that spanned old Masters and international pieces from many ages through art of the late nineteenth-century. The Gardiner Museum is built around a sunlit courtyard with lush gardens.
She stipulated that no new works could be added after her death, and although some pieces have been replaced by prints and replicas to preserve the originals, it is truly a timepiece. Three levels are packed with notable works, ornate and quirky, furniture, paintings, sculptures, tapestries, and unique pieces, floor to ceiling. More than one can digest in an afternoon but worth the visit nonetheless!
The walk took me past many interesting buildings. Can I identify them all? A few. Some have identifying banners or signs, but I’ll leave the rest up to your imagination.
Returning towards my lodging, I wandered through the Emerald Necklace, a winding park with trails, gardens, and ponds, a welcome green space after all that city walking, before finding dinner in Back Bay.
Through word of mouth at my many stops during these few days, I learned that there would be a free Shakespeare in the Park play that night in Boston Common. In the evening, sitting on the grass, I joined locals and tourists for an excellent outdoor production of Macbeth. Although it’s not one of my favorites, with all the murders and intrigue, it was a great way to experience yet another art form in Boston.
Boston Common & Public Garden, Freedom Trail, Boston art day, Boston waterfront
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Ruth Rosenfeld 
What a wonderful day – the courtyard at the Gardiner Museum is special. I remember watching a documentary about a theft there, and that you’re let in for free if you’re called Isabella! 🙂
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It is such an unusual and delightful place. I heard about the theft. I’ll have to look for that documentary. Thanks for your comment, Hannah!
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So many historical buildings Ruth. Boston looks like a great place to visit for any reason. Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend. Allan
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How lovely to explore another part of Boston, this time with art! Love the museums you checked out and what better way to finish it than with a Shakespeare play in the park? Interestingly, I’d attended an outdoor production of Macbeth this summer, and it was a lot of fun! Glad you enjoyed Boston!
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Thanks, Rebecca! Glad to know there are outdoor plays out your way.
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Art musuem visits and a stroll through a park – my idea of a fun day! I am curious (and I imagine I’d love it) about the outdoor play. I hope we get to experience it too.
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The Shakespeare in the Park group had quite a setup with lights and costumes. They walked through the crowd on paths during the performance. Apparently it was a regular thing there for many years.
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Boston is so rich with art and culture that it would be difficult to take it all in at once.
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True. I have packed each day but only scratched the surface.
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My architect’s eye enjoyed the several historic church designs. And “The Emerald Necklace” – what an elegant name for a network of parks!
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The trail was a surprise – I looked on Google Maps for a different route to walk back and wanted to go through a park. It’s a lovely idea that they are all connected.
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Looks like it was a wonderful day, Ruth! What a lovely park to wander through, Atlanta has a similar set of networked parks, called the Olmsted Linear Parks. They are five length parks that wind through Atlanta.
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That it was, Robert! I didn’t know Atlanta had such a connected route of parks. It’s a lovely way to make a city walkable and welcoming.
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That museum courtyard is beautiful – looks straight out of Spain or Italy. Interesting that Isabella stipulated that no new works should be added to her collection. I guess she was trying to preserve her vision or prevent the collection from slowly turning into something she didn’t like. I LOVE “The Emerald Necklace” as a park name. I get that it’s based on the shape, but I think more public spaces should have names like that. We could look at aerial photographs and vote on it! Haha.
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The inside of Isabella’s museum can take you to other places as well. It’s a must if you go to Boston, and better if you have more than just a couple of hours. The park system makes the city even more walkable than it is. And I do love the name too! I like your idea. So much nicer than being named after some human that no one remembers.
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The Isabella Stewart Gardiner Museum is fantastic. For some reason I never visited the Fine Arts Museum while in Boston. Great shots to showcase Boston’s beautiful architecture.
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Thanks. Glad you made it to the Gardiner! It is one of a kind.
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I would visit Emerald Necklace Park for its name alone, but glad that it lives up to that high standard. Both of the art museums sound like a great way to spend a day. Even better for you who studied art history. Maggie
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I would like to have had more time to wander the Emerald Necklace, but I was already pretty walked out from the museums.
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I love the sunlit courtyard and the plant wall. There is a clarity to the light in your photographs that we don’t get in the deep south. Beautiful.
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Thank you, Kerry!
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