Barnes Foundation
| Type | Art museum, landmark |
|---|---|
| Address | 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway |
| Map | View on Google Maps |
| Neighborhood | Fairmount |
| Phone | (215) 278-7000 |
| Website | Official site |
| Established | 1922 (original); 2012 (current building) |
| Founder | Dr. Albert C. Barnes |
| Owner | Barnes Foundation |
| Hours | Wed-Mon 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Products | Art museum, education |
| Status | Active |
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
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
The Collection
Highlights
| 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
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
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
Hours
- Wednesday-Monday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Closed: Tuesday
- Extended hours some days; check website
Admission
- 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
- Benjamin Franklin Parkway
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Rodin Museum
- Art in Philadelphia
- Fairmount, Philadelphia
References
- ↑ "About the Barnes". Barnes Foundation. Retrieved December 30, 2025
- ↑ "The Barnes Foundation". Visit Philadelphia. Retrieved December 30, 2025