karens

Glad to hear you had such a nice time! The Rodin Museum is small, but wonderful. The Gates of Hell is incredible.

I just discovered Thalia in NYC this year - and just ate there last Sunday. I recommend this restaurant, too.

AnnMarie_C

karens, have you heard anything about the Barnes Foundation move? I'm curious to know the reason behind it, what people in your area think. I would imagine this is a news-worthy event? Love your city!

schmerl

AnnMarie,
There was MUCH heated debate over moving the Barnes Collection. It will be in a bigger space and will more convenient for people who are touring the art museums in the area.

karens

Hi AnnMarie - it was a very heated debate. There is a documentary on this, called "the Art of the Steal", which takes a negative view toward moving the collection. (I have it on my netflix queue, but the movie has not yet been released to DVD).

I have been the Barnes twice, and it a cumbersome trip. You have to get timed tickets, and they used to only open one-half of the museum at at time - so you had to wait to see the other side. They only make a limited number of tickets available, so visitors are often very disapointed to discover that dates for available tickets are often several weeks away.

It is a wonderful collection of art - especially the Impressionists and Post-Impessionists. I did note, however, that several paintings appeared to be mis-labeled. For example, they have a painting they label by Hieronymous Bosch. But in all the books about his work, I have never seen that painting. I seem to recall another painting that I thought may have been inappropriately attributed. With the move to Philadelphia, and an increased viewing audience, maybe that will be discussed.

AnnMarie_C

Thank you both, and thank you karens for the fyi on "the Art of the Steal", I'm intrigued. On the "announcement" boards along the Parkway, where the museum will be, there are pictures of the art work on display at the Barnes. Not sure if you've seen it but I gathered from the boards it is an impressive collection. Curious note about work being inappropriately attributed. I appreciate your feedback!

MLTimes

I saw a flier in my laundry room last night that The Art of the Steal is playing at the Ritz (at the Bourse, I think) and Bryn Mawr Film Institute later this month.

Count me as part of the chorus that the Barnes Belongs in Merion!

Birdie

I'm very conflicted about the Barnes move. I love the collection in the old house but I think that the move to the city will make the collection more accessible and help the parkway become a premier art destination.