Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
| Type | Art museum, art school |
|---|---|
| Address | 118-128 North Broad Street |
| Map | View on Google Maps |
| Neighborhood | Center City |
| Phone | (215) 972-7600 |
| Website | Official site |
| Established | 1805 |
| Founder | Charles Willson Peale, William Rush, and others |
| Owner | Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts |
| Hours | Wed-Sun 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Products | Art museum, art education |
| Status | Active |
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is America's oldest art museum and art school, founded way back in 1805 on North Broad Street in Center City. The institution occupies two buildings: the stunning Frank Furness Building (1876), a masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture, and the modern Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building (2006). They house one of the world's finest collections of American art alongside the nation's oldest fine arts training program.[1]
Over 12,000 works span American art from the colonial period to today. The collection's real strength lies in 18th and 19th-century American painting and sculpture. You'll find work by Mary Cassatt, Thomas Eakins, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Cecilia Beaux, and countless other major American artists here. The museum earned National Historic Landmark status for both its artistic and architectural importance.[2]
History
Founding
In 1805, a group of artists, businessmen, and civic leaders got together to start PAFA. The founding crew included:
- Charles Willson Peale: Painter and naturalist
- William Rush: Sculptor, considered the first American-born sculptor
- 70 other founding subscribers
Their goal was straightforward: "promote the cultivation of the Fine Arts in the United States" through exhibitions, instruction, and building collections.
Early Years
The Academy's doors opened in 1806 on Chestnut Street. It offered drawing classes and annual exhibitions that quickly became major events in American cultural life.
The Furness Building (1876)
Architect Frank Furness designed what would become the Academy's signature building, which opened in 1876 to coincide with the Centennial Exposition. This building stands as Furness's masterpiece and one of the finest examples of Victorian Gothic architecture in America.
Expansion
By 2006, PAFA had grown enough to warrant a second building. The Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building opened across the street, designed by Gehry Partners. The contemporary structure gives them additional gallery space and educational facilities.
Architecture
The Furness Building
Frank Furness's 1876 building is an architectural landmark in its own right:
Exterior
- Style: Victorian Gothic with Moorish and Renaissance influences
- Materials: Brick, sandstone, and granite in polychrome patterns
- Features: Dramatic pointed arches, decorative ironwork, and sculptural ornament
Interior
- Grand Staircase: Monumental stair hall with ironwork and tile
- Gothic Gallery: Second-floor gallery with Gothic arched ceiling
- Natural light: Skylights designed to illuminate artwork
- Original finishes: Much of Furness's decorative work survives
The Hamilton Building
Gehry Partners designed the contemporary Hamilton Building (2006) with a very different sensibility:
- Modern galleries with flexible configurations
- Alumni Gallery featuring student and graduate work
- Sculpture garden
- Café and museum shop
Collection
Highlights
Some of America's greatest paintings hang here:
| Work | Artist | Period |
|---|---|---|
| The Gross Clinic | Thomas Eakins | 1875 |
| The Fox Hunt | Winslow Homer | 1893 |
| Portrait of Mrs. Thomas Eakins | Thomas Eakins | 1899 |
| Nymph and Satyr | William Rush | 1808 |
| Portrait of Benjamin Franklin | Charles Willson Peale | 1785 |
Thomas Eakins
Thomas Eakins (1844-1916) studied at PAFA and later taught there for decades. His masterpiece, The Gross Clinic (1875), depicts a surgical demonstration and ranks among the most important American paintings of the 19th century. It's the collection's centerpiece for good reason.
Collection Strengths
- 18th and 19th-century American painting
- Philadelphia school artists
- American sculpture
- Works on paper
- Contemporary American art
Art School
Curriculum
PAFA offers serious training in both traditional and contemporary art:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
- Continuing Education
Notable Alumni
The alumni list reads like a who's who of American art:
- Mary Cassatt (1844-1926): Impressionist painter
- Thomas Eakins (1844-1916): Realist painter
- Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937): First internationally acclaimed African American artist
- Cecilia Beaux (1855-1942): Portrait painter
- Maxfield Parrish (1870-1966): Illustrator
- David Lynch (b. 1946): Filmmaker
Visiting PAFA
Hours
- Wednesday-Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Closed: Monday, Tuesday, and major holidays
Admission
- Adults: Approximately $18 (check website for current pricing)
- Seniors/Students: Discounts available
- Free: First Sunday of the month
What to See
The Gross Clinic is the show-stopper here. But don't overlook the Frank Furness architecture. The building itself is art. You can walk through colonial to contemporary American art or catch rotating special exhibitions.
Getting There
PAFA's location makes it easy to reach from anywhere in the city:
- SEPTA Broad Street Line: Race-Vine Station
- SEPTA Regional Rail: Suburban Station, three blocks away
- SEPTA Bus: Routes 4, 16, 27, 32
Nearby Attractions
- Reading Terminal Market (2 blocks)
- Philadelphia City Hall (3 blocks)
- Masonic Temple (1 block)
See Also
- Thomas Eakins
- Frank Furness
- Art in Philadelphia
- Center City, Philadelphia
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
References
- ↑ "About PAFA". Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Retrieved December 30, 2025
- ↑ "Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts". National Park Service. Retrieved December 30, 2025