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Barnes Foundation Review

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Barnes Foundation

Address: 300 Latches La., Merion, PA | Map It
Phone: 610/667-0290
www.barnesfoundation.org

Category: Museums/Galleries
Location: Merion

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.6/5

Fodor's Review:

It used to be pretty much a secret that one of the world's greatest collections of impressionist and postimpressionist art—181 Renoirs, 69 Cézannes (including his Card Players), 59 Matisses, and masterpieces by van Gogh, Degas, Picasso, and others—was on view in the little town of Merion, 8 mi west of Center City. That was the way Albert C. Barnes wanted it. The son of a Philadelphia butcher who made millions by inventing Argyrol (used to treat eye inflammations), Barnes considered his art collection an educational tool, and until a 1961 court order the collection was open only to students of the educational institution he had chartered. Now that the trustees of Lincoln University have taken over, Barnes's public-be-damned attitude is a thing of the past. Recently, the Foundation was given permission by the court to relocate its gallery to a new building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, next to the Rodin Museum. Until 2009 you can see the Gauguins, Tintorettos, and Degases displayed as they have always been: wallpapered floor-to-ceiling and cheek-by-jowl alongside household tools, Amish chests, and New Mexican folk icons. Reservations are required, and should be made at least two months in advance for the busiest months of April, May, October, and November. If you don't arrive in time to join the limited first-come, first-served docent tours, at 10, 1, and 2, opt for the $7 audio tour. SEPTA's Ardmore-bound 44 bus runs from 15th Street and Kennedy Boulevard to Old Lancaster Road and North Latches Lane half a block from the museum; or take SEPTA's R-5 train from 30th Street Station to the Merion Station stop, turn right on Merion Road and left on Latch's Lane, and walk ½ mi to the museum.

Cost: $10
Open: Sept.-June, Fri.-Sun. 9:30-5; July and Aug., Wed.-Fri. 9:30-5

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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by Kingo from nashville, tn on 10/19/08
We were awestruck as we entered the Barnes Foundation and saw this magnificant collection of art! An easy train ride and short walk to this place is well worth the trip! How any one person could amass such a collection is beyond me! Don't miss the unusual collection of specimens in the arboretum.

Member Rating: 5.0
Ratings details: Experience: 5.0 Ease: 5.0 Value: 5.0 Don't Miss: 5.0

Reviewed by bachslunch from US on 10/19/08
One of the major must-sees in Philly, a world class art museum. The art collection is easily the best locally, including tons of Cezannes and Renoirs and a lot of other excellent Impressionist and post-Impressionist canvases. And the grounds are worth seeing as well. It's an absolute royal pain to arrange a visit (you must pre-book at specified times prior to the date you want, ideally well in advance as they are sometimes sold out) and get there without a car (reachable via commuter rail, and then a solid walk from the station) but the art work and setting are truly worthwhile.