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{{Infobox Museum
{{Infobox LocalBusiness
| name = Barnes Foundation
| name = Barnes Foundation
| type = Art museum
| image =
| image_caption = Barnes Foundation on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
| type = Art museum, landmark
| address = 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
| address = 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
| neighborhood = Fairmount
| neighborhood = Fairmount
| coordinates = 39.9606,-75.1724
| phone = (215) 278-7000
| phone = (215) 278-7000
| website = https://barnesfoundation.org
| website = https://www.barnesfoundation.org
| established = 1922
| established = 1922 (original); 2012 (current building)
| founder = Albert C. Barnes
| founder = Dr. Albert C. Barnes
| collection_size = 4,000+ objects
| owner = Barnes Foundation
| annual_visitors = 300,000+
| employees =
| admission = $30 adults, free for children under 18
| hours = Wed-Mon 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
| hours = Wed-Mon 11am-5pm, closed Tuesdays
| products = Art museum, education
| public_transit = SEPTA Bus 38, Phlash
| status = Active
| architect = Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects (2012 building)
}}
}}


The '''Barnes Foundation''' is a world-renowned art museum on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in [[Fairmount]], housing one of the finest collections of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and early Modern paintings in the world. The collection includes 181 Renoirs, 69 Cézannes, 59 Matisses, 46 Picassos, and significant works by Van Gogh, Monet, and other masters.<ref name="barnes-collection">{{cite web |url=https://www.barnesfoundation.org/collection |title=The Collection |publisher=Barnes Foundation |access-date=December 23, 2025}}</ref>
'''The Barnes Foundation''' is an art collection and educational institution located on the [[Benjamin Franklin Parkway]] in [[Fairmount, Philadelphia|Fairmount]], housing one of the world's great collections of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and early Modern paintings. Founded by pharmaceutical entrepreneur '''Dr. Albert C. Barnes''' in 1922, the collection includes 181 works by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (the largest collection in the world), 69 by Paul Cézanne, 59 by Henri Matisse, and significant works by Picasso, Modigliani, Rousseau, and many others.<ref name="barnes">{{cite web |url=https://www.barnesfoundation.org/about |title=About the Barnes |publisher=Barnes Foundation |access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>
 
The current Philadelphia building, designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects and opened in 2012, recreates the exact dimensions and artwork arrangements of the original galleries in Merion, Pennsylvania. The controversial relocation from Merion to Center City sparked legal battles and a documentary film but has allowed millions more visitors to experience Barnes's unique vision for displaying art in "ensembles" that emphasize formal relationships between objects.<ref name="visit">{{cite web |url=https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/the-barnes-foundation/ |title=The Barnes Foundation |publisher=Visit Philadelphia |access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
Line 22: Line 26:
=== Albert C. Barnes ===
=== Albert C. Barnes ===


Dr. Albert Coombs Barnes (1872-1951) was a Philadelphia chemist and businessman who made his fortune developing Argyrol, an antiseptic widely used in the early 20th century. Beginning around 1912, Barnes used his wealth to assemble one of the world's greatest private art collections, often purchasing works directly from artists and galleries in Paris.
'''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 contrarian and iconoclast who feuded with Philadelphia's art establishment. He famously rejected loans to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and denied entry to critics and society figures while welcoming factory workers and students.
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.


=== Original Location ===
=== Building the Collection ===


The Barnes Foundation was established in 1922 in Merion, Pennsylvania, a suburb just outside Philadelphia. Barnes designed the gallery spaces according to his own principles of "ensembles"—groupings of paintings, decorative arts, and metalwork arranged to highlight formal relationships rather than chronology or nationality.
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 died in a car accident in 1951. His will specified that the collection never be moved, altered, or loaned—provisions that would be challenged decades later.
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 Move to Philadelphia ===
=== The Merion Gallery ===


By the early 2000s, the Barnes Foundation faced severe financial difficulties. After years of legal battles, courts approved moving the collection to a new building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Center City Philadelphia. The new facility, designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, opened in May 2012.
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.


The move remained controversial. Supporters argued it saved the collection and made it accessible to more people. Critics, including documentary filmmaker Don Argott (''The Art of the Steal''), argued it violated Barnes's wishes and represented a takeover by Philadelphia's cultural establishment.
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.
 
== The Collection ==


The Barnes collection is displayed in "ensembles" exactly as Albert Barnes arranged them, mixing paintings, furniture, metalwork, and decorative objects to create visual dialogues.
=== Legal Battles and Relocation ===


=== Highlights ===
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


* '''Pierre-Auguste Renoir''' — 181 works, the world's largest collection
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.
* '''Paul Cézanne''' — 69 paintings, including ''The Card Players'' series
* '''Henri Matisse''' — 59 works, including ''The Dance'' mural commissioned for the Merion building
* '''Pablo Picasso''' — 46 works spanning multiple periods
* '''Amedeo Modigliani''' — Major portraits and nudes
* '''Vincent van Gogh''' — Including ''Joseph Roulin''
* '''Henri Rousseau''' — Major works including ''The Unpleasant Surprise''
* '''El Greco, Titian, Rubens''' — Old Master paintings
* '''African sculpture''' — Significant collection integrated with European paintings


=== The Ensembles ===
=== The New Building ===


Unlike conventional museums that organize by artist or period, Barnes arranged works in "ensembles" based on visual relationships—color, line, light, and space. A Renoir might hang beside African metalwork and Pennsylvania German furniture. This approach, rooted in Barnes's educational philosophy, remains intact in 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


== The Building ==
== The Collection ==


The 2012 building recreates the exact gallery layouts from Merion, including natural light from overhead skylights. The architecture wraps modern public spaces around the historic gallery core.
=== Highlights ===
 
* '''Gallery spaces''' — Exact replicas of Merion rooms with original ensemble arrangements
* '''Light Court''' — Central atrium with natural light
* '''Classroom and auditorium''' — For educational programs
* '''Sculpture garden''' — Outdoor space with works from the collection
 
== Visiting ==


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Work !! Artist !! Notes
|-
|-
! Detail !! Information
| ''The Card Players'' || Cézanne || One of five versions; others in major museums
|-
| '''Hours''' || Wed-Mon 11am-5pm, closed Tuesdays
|-
| '''Admission''' || $30 adults, $5 students, free under 18
|-
|-
| '''Address''' || 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
| ''Acrobat and Young Harlequin'' || Picasso || Blue Period masterpiece
|-
|-
| '''Parking''' || On-site parking available
| ''Le Bonheur de vivre'' (study) || Matisse || Key Fauvism work
|-
|-
| '''Photography''' || Not permitted in galleries
| ''Reclining Nude'' || Modigliani || Signature work
|-
|-
| '''Time needed''' || 2-3 hours recommended
| ''The Postman'' || Van Gogh || Portrait of Joseph Roulin
|}
|}


Advance timed tickets are recommended, especially on weekends.
=== Barnes Ensembles ===


== Getting There ==
Unlike conventional museums, Barnes arranged artworks in '''ensembles'''—groupings based on formal qualities like light, line, color, and space rather than artist, period, or movement. Each wall contains:
* Paintings hung at varying heights
* Decorative ironwork and furniture
* African and Native American art interspersed with European paintings


The Barnes Foundation is located on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway near the [[Philadelphia Museum of Art]]:
This arrangement reflects Barnes's educational philosophy that viewers should learn to see art by observing formal relationships.


* '''Walking''' — On the Parkway between 20th and 21st Streets
=== African Art ===
* '''SEPTA Bus''' — Routes 38, 43; Phlash Downtown Loop
* '''Parking''' — On-site garage, street parking
* '''Indego''' — Bike share stations nearby


== Frequently Asked Questions ==
Barnes was an early collector of African sculpture, recognizing its artistic merit when most viewed such works as ethnographic artifacts. The collection includes over 200 African pieces displayed alongside European paintings.


{{FAQ
== Visiting the Barnes ==
|q1=Why was the Barnes collection moved from Merion?
|a1=The Barnes Foundation faced severe financial difficulties by the early 2000s, and courts approved moving the collection to Philadelphia despite Albert Barnes's will specifying it never be moved. The 2012 relocation to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway remains controversial—some see it as saving the collection, others as violating the founder's wishes.


|q2=How many Renoirs are in the Barnes collection?
=== Hours ===
|a2=The Barnes Foundation holds 181 works by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, the largest collection of Renoirs in the world. Albert Barnes began collecting Renoir's work early and developed a close relationship with the artist's dealer.


|q3=What makes the Barnes displays different from other museums?
* '''Wednesday-Monday:''' 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
|a3=Albert Barnes arranged works in "ensembles" based on visual relationships rather than by artist or period. A Renoir might hang beside African sculpture and antique metalwork. These arrangements, preserved exactly as Barnes designed them, encourage viewers to see formal connections between objects.
* '''Closed:''' Tuesday
* Extended hours some days; check website


|q4=Can I take photos at the Barnes?
=== Admission ===
|a4=Photography is not permitted in the Barnes Foundation galleries. This policy helps preserve the contemplative atmosphere Barnes intended and protects the works from flash damage.
 
}}
* '''Adults:''' Approximately $25 (check website for current pricing)
* '''Seniors/Students:''' Discounted rates
* '''First Sundays:''' Free admission monthly
 
Timed tickets are required; advance purchase recommended.
 
=== What to See ===
 
* '''The Collection:''' 24 galleries arranged exactly as Barnes intended
* '''Architecture:''' The light-filled modern building
* '''Special exhibitions:''' Rotating shows in separate galleries
* '''Gardens:''' Outdoor spaces surrounding the building
 
=== Tips ===
 
* Allow 2-3 hours for a complete visit
* No photography in the galleries
* Audio guides available
* The café offers lunch and refreshments
 
=== Getting There ===
 
* '''SEPTA Bus:''' Routes 32, 38
* '''SEPTA Broad Street Line:''' Spring Garden Station (10-minute walk)
* '''Parking:''' On-site garage (paid)
* '''Walking:''' 10 minutes from [[Philadelphia Museum of Art]]
 
=== Nearby Attractions ===
 
* [[Philadelphia Museum of Art]] (5-minute walk)
* [[Rodin Museum]] (across the street)
* [[Franklin Institute]] (2 blocks)
* [[Fairmount Water Works]] (10-minute walk)


== See Also ==
== See Also ==


* [[Benjamin Franklin Parkway]]
* [[Philadelphia Museum of Art]]
* [[Philadelphia Museum of Art]]
* [[Rodin Museum]]
* [[Rodin Museum]]
* [[Fairmount]]
* [[Art in Philadelphia]]
* [[Benjamin Franklin Parkway]]
* [[Fairmount, Philadelphia]]


== References ==
== References ==
Line 125: Line 153:
== External Links ==
== External Links ==


* [https://barnesfoundation.org Official Website]
* [https://www.barnesfoundation.org Barnes Foundation Official Website]
* [https://barnesfoundation.org/collection Explore the Collection Online]
* [https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/the-barnes-foundation/ Visit Philadelphia Guide]


{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=Barnes Foundation - World-Class Art Museum in Philadelphia
|title=Barnes Foundation Philadelphia - World's Greatest Renoir Collection
|description=The Barnes Foundation houses 181 Renoirs, 69 Cézannes, and 59 Matisses in one of the world's greatest collections of Impressionist and Modern art. Located on Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
|description=Visit the Barnes Foundation, housing the world's largest collection of Renoir paintings plus works by Cézanne, Matisse, and Picasso. On the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, this extraordinary art collection is a Philadelphia must-see.
|keywords=Barnes Foundation, art museum Philadelphia, Renoir collection, Cézanne, Matisse, Impressionist art, Philadelphia museums, Benjamin Franklin Parkway
|keywords=Barnes Foundation, Albert Barnes collection, Renoir museum, Cézanne Philadelphia, Impressionist art museum, Benjamin Franklin Parkway museums, best art museum Philadelphia, Barnes Museum
|type=Article
|type=Article
}}
}}


[[Category:Landmarks]]
[[Category:Museums]]
[[Category:Museums]]
[[Category:Art Museums]]
[[Category:Fairmount]]
[[Category:Fairmount]]
[[Category:Benjamin Franklin Parkway]]
[[Category:Benjamin Franklin Parkway]]
[[Category:Art Institutions]]

Latest revision as of 21:04, 30 December 2025

Barnes Foundation
TypeArt museum, landmark
Address2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
MapView on Google Maps
NeighborhoodFairmount
Phone(215) 278-7000
WebsiteOfficial site
Established1922 (original); 2012 (current building)
FounderDr. Albert C. Barnes
OwnerBarnes Foundation
HoursWed-Mon 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
ProductsArt museum, education
StatusActive
Barnes Foundation(215) 278-70002025 Benjamin Franklin ParkwayPhiladelphiaPAUS

The Barnes Foundation is an art collection and educational institution located on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Fairmount, housing one of the world's great collections of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and early Modern paintings. Founded by pharmaceutical entrepreneur Dr. Albert C. Barnes in 1922, the collection includes 181 works by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (the largest collection in the world), 69 by Paul Cézanne, 59 by Henri Matisse, and significant works by Picasso, Modigliani, Rousseau, and many others.[1]

The current Philadelphia building, designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects and opened in 2012, recreates the exact dimensions and artwork arrangements of the original galleries in Merion, Pennsylvania. The controversial relocation from Merion to Center City sparked legal battles and a documentary film but has allowed millions more visitors to experience Barnes's unique vision for displaying art in "ensembles" that emphasize formal relationships between objects.[2]

History

[edit | edit source]

Albert C. Barnes

[edit | edit source]

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

[edit | edit source]

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.

[edit | edit source]

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.

[edit | edit source]

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

[edit | edit source]

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

The Collection

[edit | edit source]

Highlights

[edit | edit source]
Work Artist Notes
The Card Players Cézanne One of five versions; others in major museums
Acrobat and Young Harlequin Picasso Blue Period masterpiece
Le Bonheur de vivre (study) Matisse Key Fauvism work
Reclining Nude Modigliani Signature work
The Postman Van Gogh Portrait of Joseph Roulin

Barnes Ensembles

[edit | edit source]

Unlike conventional museums, Barnes arranged artworks in ensembles—groupings based on formal qualities like light, line, color, and space rather than artist, period, or movement. Each wall contains:

  • Paintings hung at varying heights
  • Decorative ironwork and furniture
  • African and Native American art interspersed with European paintings

This arrangement reflects Barnes's educational philosophy that viewers should learn to see art by observing formal relationships.

African Art

[edit | edit source]

Barnes was an early collector of African sculpture, recognizing its artistic merit when most viewed such works as ethnographic artifacts. The collection includes over 200 African pieces displayed alongside European paintings.

Visiting the Barnes

[edit | edit source]

Hours

[edit | edit source]
  • Wednesday-Monday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Closed: Tuesday
  • Extended hours some days; check website

Admission

[edit | edit source]
  • Adults: Approximately $25 (check website for current pricing)
  • Seniors/Students: Discounted rates
  • First Sundays: Free admission monthly

Timed tickets are required; advance purchase recommended.

What to See

[edit | edit source]
  • The Collection: 24 galleries arranged exactly as Barnes intended
  • Architecture: The light-filled modern building
  • Special exhibitions: Rotating shows in separate galleries
  • Gardens: Outdoor spaces surrounding the building

Tips

[edit | edit source]
  • Allow 2-3 hours for a complete visit
  • No photography in the galleries
  • Audio guides available
  • The café offers lunch and refreshments

Getting There

[edit | edit source]
  • SEPTA Bus: Routes 32, 38
  • SEPTA Broad Street Line: Spring Garden Station (10-minute walk)
  • Parking: On-site garage (paid)
  • Walking: 10 minutes from Philadelphia Museum of Art

Nearby Attractions

[edit | edit source]

See Also

[edit | edit source]

References

[edit | edit source]
  1. ↑ "About the Barnes". Barnes Foundation. Retrieved December 30, 2025
  2. ↑ "The Barnes Foundation". Visit Philadelphia. Retrieved December 30, 2025
[edit | edit source]
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