I'd heard that the Gardner museum was a must-see and it definitely was. it is an experience like no other art museum I've ever visited. Isabella Stewart Gardner used her inherited wealth to become a patron of the arts...collecting items during her world travels and building a home to showcase them, featuring musicians, etc. Artists featured include Titian, Sargent, Whistler,... More

Loved the Zorn exhibit, but was a little weary by the time came to tour the rest of the house. We walked from Beacon Hill to the museum: something I wouldn't do again. We were so tired we couldn't do the whole exhibit justice.

First the positives. The courtyard was beautiful as were many of the other architectural details. The collection was expansive and covered two millennia and 5 continents. It included paintings, etchings, tapestries, statues, furniture, coat of arms, pottery, silverware, dinnerware, correspondence from artists and world leaders, sarcophagi, vestments, and even a medieval litter. It included works by Titian, Michaelangelo, Botticelli, Degas... More

I was there to see the Anders Zorn exhibit which I Loved and the brilliant new Renzo Piano wing which is a masterful accent to the original Venetian palace built by Ms. Gardner.

This is a must see for those who appreciate seeing art from 1400s, 1500s and tapestry, furniture and large assortment of treasures in a lovely and unique setting.

At the beginning i wasnt sure of where i was going: no pics, no phone, only pencils allowed... There was a queue to get inside the building. Once inside it is quite a place lots of different pieces and works mixed and combined in weird ways. The Spanish room for instance has got mexican tiles, Asian and African artifacts... Despite... More

Usually when visiting museums it's an enjoyable experience - not here unfortunately. I had entered the museum with a very small back pack (virtually flat on my back) but when trying to enter the first exhibition in the new wing was told I had to leave my bag in the cloakroom. Was really not impressed by this when I saw... More

And when I finally did, I was not disappointed. It is a one woman's classy vision of an italian villa decorated with art treasures from her travels all over the world. The decor is very eclectic and the museum is fascinating when you consider her accomplishments in putting this all together.

This museum is an a palazzo-- a beautiful building with an indoor garden. It was created by an eccentric wealthy woman. They have real treasures, they are displayed according to her original plan. You can see the whole thing in one visit, and have a nice lunch also. Very manageable, and lots of incredible art. I still miss the stolen... More