Interested in viewing a world-class art collection arranged by its owner? 

What if the display is jam-packed, floor to ceiling, and mixed together from different periods?  How about if the collected works are organized in what appears to be a hodgepodge; metalwork mixed with furniture, African art, medieval paintings, Impressionist masterpieces, pottery, and jewelry.

Moreover, there are no exhibition labels offering information about the objects, art, or artists who created them.  Still interested; possibly intrigued?  If so, the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia is a great destination to see a one-of-a-kind art collection with a unique story to go with it.  

The Barnes Foundation is an educational institution dedicated to promoting the appreciation of fine art and horticulture.  Located in Center City Philadelphia, the Barnes (as it is affectionately known) is a “one-stop shop” for a wide variety of art displayed together in one building.   The collection has the world's largest set of paintings by Renoir (179) and Cézanne (69).  It also has important works by many other well-known Impressionist and Post-Impressionists.

The Barnes’ story starts in the early 20th century when Philadelphia native Dr. Albert Barnes structured his pharmaceutical business so employees had time to read philosophy and view art.  The foundation’s website states: “following the philosophy of John Dewey—who believed that education was fundamental to democracy—Dr. Barnes held art appreciation lessons at his factory. Each day, for two hours, production stopped as his workers discussed painting and philosophy. Dr. Barnes also brought some of his art collection into the laboratory for the workers to consider and discuss.”  Dr. Barnes had an appetite for amassing art and he focused on assembling an ever-expanding collection.  He established the Barnes Foundation in 1922 and continued adding artworks to it until his death in 1951.  The foundation’s collection was meticulously organized by Barnes and located in Merion, PA.

Referred to by Dr. Barnes as ensembles, the collection was deliberately arranged to mix art, artifacts, and crafts across time periods.  This purposeful curation was designed to note visual similarities among objects not usually paired together.  The collection was intended to be used as a teaching tool.  

Dr. Barnes was very intentional about his collection.  His will stipulated that after his death the collection should remain intact prohibiting repositioning any ensembles.  This meant that art and artifacts could not be lent, sold, or moved from gallery walls.  In the end, financial issues and Merion’s restrictive visitation hours led to a push involving court challenges to move the collection to its current location in 2012.  The Philadelphia galleries replicate Dr. Barnes’ original Merion space thereby recreating his artistic time capsule.

When visiting the Barnes, meander around the multi-layered building.  Let your eyes wander, taking in the collection the way Dr. Barnes intended.  The ensembles are visually varied and layered with texture.  For example, a wooden desk has metalwork on it and several paintings arranged above it.  Barnes’ vast collection makes it difficult to highlight certain works over others, but here are a few gems worth noting:  Van Gogh’s The Smoker and The Postman; Modigliani’s The Pretty Housewife and Girl with a Polka-Dot Blouse; and Picasso’s Young Woman Holding a Cigarette and Head of a Woman.

Curious, perhaps it’s time to plan a trip to Philadelphia, and while there, visit the Barnes Foundation.