I don’t remember the first time I visited the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, but my parents tell me they brought me there when I was a child in elementary school.
I remember first visiting when I was a student at Berklee College of Music. Exiting my habitrail world of practice rooms and recording studios and listening labs and entering this place was one of the most transporting moments I ever experienced. Thanks for highlighting one of the most unique American museums.
The Albergotti family who sold the armchairs to Mrs Gardner ( through Berenson) kept the best of the 4 for themselves. I tell the story of this Boston connection in my book "Etruria-travel, history,itineraries in central Italy "
Inspired to visit The Gardener thanks to your excellent piece, Laura. The North End of Boston is my go-to spot when I need a thorough dose of Italy without flying across the Atlantic. Next visit to Boston will feature not only strolls and meals in the North End but a beautiful afternoon at The Gardener soaking in the stories and details you’ve shed light upon.
Bostonian here! The Gardner is one of my favorite museums and where I take any visitor who has never been to Boston. So many treasures in one place. My company had an evening party there a few years ago and it's even more magical at night.
The fourth italian armchair of the Gothic Room is in my living room here in Vetralla... See the huge book published by the ISG Museum "Furnishing a museum Isabella Stewart Gardners collection of Italian Furniture" p 300-301
I remember first visiting when I was a student at Berklee College of Music. Exiting my habitrail world of practice rooms and recording studios and listening labs and entering this place was one of the most transporting moments I ever experienced. Thanks for highlighting one of the most unique American museums.
Thanks for sharing that beautiful memory. The Gardner Museum really does make one feel transported to Italy.
I love this museum so much. My husband is always thinking about how she got it all from Italy to Boston 😂
I know, right?! It's hard enough to ship things between the U.S. and Italy now. Imagine back then!
The Albergotti family who sold the armchairs to Mrs Gardner ( through Berenson) kept the best of the 4 for themselves. I tell the story of this Boston connection in my book "Etruria-travel, history,itineraries in central Italy "
Inspired to visit The Gardener thanks to your excellent piece, Laura. The North End of Boston is my go-to spot when I need a thorough dose of Italy without flying across the Atlantic. Next visit to Boston will feature not only strolls and meals in the North End but a beautiful afternoon at The Gardener soaking in the stories and details you’ve shed light upon.
I love to hear it! Let me know what you think when you go.
Bostonian here! The Gardner is one of my favorite museums and where I take any visitor who has never been to Boston. So many treasures in one place. My company had an evening party there a few years ago and it's even more magical at night.
Wow, I've never seen it at night, but I can imagine how magical it would be!
The fourth italian armchair of the Gothic Room is in my living room here in Vetralla... See the huge book published by the ISG Museum "Furnishing a museum Isabella Stewart Gardners collection of Italian Furniture" p 300-301