Editing Barnes Foundation (section)

== History ==

=== Albert C. Barnes ===

'''Dr. Albert C. Barnes''' (1872-1951) was a Philadelphia native who made his fortune developing Argyrol, an antiseptic compound used to prevent infant blindness. With his wealth, Barnes began collecting art in 1912, initially buying Post-Impressionist works that mainstream critics and museums dismissed.

Barnes was a brilliant but contentious figure. He was denied admission to the Philadelphia establishment despite his wealth and developed a lifelong antagonism toward the city's cultural elite. He vowed that his collection would never join the [[Philadelphia Museum of Art]] and wrote a will designed to keep his foundation in Merion forever.

=== Building the Collection ===

Barnes amassed his collection primarily between 1912 and 1930, acquiring:
* 181 Renoirs
* 69 Cézannes
* 59 Matisses
* 46 Picassos
* Significant works by Modigliani, Rousseau, Seurat, Manet, Degas, and others
* African sculpture, Native American art, and decorative objects

Barnes paid relatively modest prices before many artists achieved their current stature. The collection is now valued in the tens of billions of dollars.

=== The Merion Gallery ===

In 1922, Barnes established his foundation in '''Merion, Pennsylvania''' (a Philadelphia suburb), constructing a gallery building designed by Paul Philippe Cret. The galleries were arranged according to Barnes's unique educational philosophy, with paintings grouped by formal qualities (light, line, color, space) rather than chronology or artist.

Barnes restricted public access, famously denying entry to those he deemed unworthy—including critics, socialites, and art world figures. The foundation operated primarily as an educational institution.

=== Legal Battles and Relocation ===

After Barnes died in a car accident in 1951, the foundation faced decades of financial difficulties:
* Limited endowment (Barnes left most of his estate to Lincoln University)
* Restrictions on visiting hours limiting revenue
* Deteriorating Merion facility

In the early 2000s, the foundation's trustees sought permission to relocate to Philadelphia. After contentious legal proceedings documented in the 2009 film ''The Art of the Steal'', courts approved the move.

=== The New Building ===

The new Barnes Foundation building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway opened in '''May 2012'''. Designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, the building:
* Recreates the exact dimensions of the Merion galleries
* Preserves Barnes's precise artwork arrangements (as mandated by his will)
* Adds modern amenities: auditorium, restaurant, classrooms, gift shop
* Uses natural light filtering through a canopy roof