The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: A Companion Guide and History

By Hilliard T. Goldfarb

Book Overview

This work is a guide to the collection in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. It also offers a narrative history, combining art historical, social and historical analysis, with stories about how the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0300063415
• ISBN13: 9780300063417
• Release Date: December 1995
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.99 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.8" x 0.3" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

before and after you visit the museum

I bought and read this book prior to my visit to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum so that when I was there I knew a little about the pieces in her collection. The book is a great source of information about the rooms and the art but it also covers the life of Isabella Gardner. I recommend buying the book ahead so that you know which pieces of art you really want to concentrate on. The book has color photos of up close shots of the art and photos of the various rooms so that you can see the art in its setting. It is arranged by floor (there are three) and then by room and finally by the individual piece, making it very easy to use and it is a great size for carrying with you through the museum. The history in the book is excellent and gives a great overview of Isabella's life and pursuit of art.

One Woman's Way to Make a Home

More than a few of my well-traveled friends have raved about The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston as their favorite museum in all the world. And why not? Wait until you see it--you'll feel right at home. Imagine creating for yourself a life that is perfectly delicious. Imagine creating for the world a home museum experience unequaled in all the world. The Hyde Museum in Glens Falls, NY, held that honor for me until I learned the story and saw the pictural views of Fenway Court Isabella Gardner created as her home, which after her death in 1924 was changed to be called The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Most museum books have wonderful pictures without so rich a story of a strong, courageous woman of impeccable, impassioned taste. No one could have created Fenway Court except Isabella Gardner. Few have created such a wonderful life for themselves and left such an amazing legacy. And, she also managed to maintain her beauty and figure. And what a negotiator she was to gain possession of a piece of art she felt Fenway must own. I feel empowered to have learned her story.