The Museum of Fine Arts is the largest museum in Boston. The street that houses the museum has been renamed ‘Avenue of the Arts’. The name sounds trendy. The history and culture of Boston are unique. The city serves as the intellectual capital of the United States. The rest of the United States looks upon New England with a bit of suspicion and envy.

The European occupation of North America began in the year 1620 with the arrival of the Puritans. Boston, which saw the settlement of Pilgrim Fathers, is inspired by both the New World and Europe. The New World focuses on a democratic society, whereas Europe is known for its history and culture. The Museum of Fine Arts was founded on the basis of this twin ideal.

The museum was thrown open to the public in 1876, which saw the hundredth year of American independence. The emphasis was predominantly on American art. However, European art is not far behind in terms of grandeur and opulence. The museum is home to many great names. Some of the paintings that make the collection were donated to the museum by private collectors. The citizens’ role should not be forgotten in maintaining the collection.

Asian Art

Ancient Egyptian Art forms the core of Asian art. The collection of art is sure to leave you enthralled. The artwork of Egypt includes sarcophagi, gold masks, and jewelry. Ancient Egyptians are known to be fascinated by the concept of death.

The exhibits of Greek art include bronze figurines, vases, and terracotta statuettes. Roman art comprises of the famous frescoes from Pompeii. There is a rich collection of Oceanic art as well. Some of the rarest objects from Nubia find place in the museum. The region of Nubia comprised northeast Africa, which is now Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia.

The museum began the collection of Asian Art as early as the nineteenth century. Today, the collection of Asian Art is the finest in the world.

The European art includes work from England, Spain, Netherlands, France, and Germany. The collection focuses on paintings, from the seventh century onwards. The names of the artists should sound familiar to all art lovers: Titian, Veronese, Tintoretto, Rubens, Velázquez, and Murillo. Roger Van der Weyden’s Saint Luke Madonna and Rembrandt’s self portrait, The Artist in his Studio, are two famous paintings.

European Art

The museum lays special emphasis on landscape painters such as J.M.W. Turner, Jean Francois Millet, and the Impressionists. The museum has more than 30 paintings of Claude Monet, making it the largest collection of the painter outside Paris. It includes the famous La Japonaise. This painting along with Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s Dance at Bougival evokes the culture of France.

American art is large in variety and themes. The earliest American painting to make it to the museum was Washington Allston’s Elijah in the Desert. The colonial era, too, saw art flourish. More than 1600 artworks of America are housed in the Evans Wing.

John Singleton Copley and Gilbert Stuart are two famous American artists. Watson and the Shark by Copley and Washington at Dorchester Heights are renowned. Other American artists include John Singer Sargent, William Morris Hunt, and Winslow Homer. Sargent’s The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit is the pride of the museum. The stairways of the museum are also designed by him. Some of the famous American artists of the twentieth century include Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keefe, and Jackson Pollock.

Contemporary art has also been encouraged. Paintings, sculptures, and photographic art form the chunk of the art work. Contemporary artists include Kiefer, Baselitz, Richter, Clemente, and Rothenberg.

Despite its size, it is nearly impossible to get lost in the museum. This is primarily due to atmosphere in the museum. Piano music is a signal toward lunchtime.

Facts

The museum is open on Saturday to Tuesday from 10 am to 4:45 pm. The timings from Wednesday to Friday are 10 am to 7:45 pm. The subway has a direct line to the museum. The museum is closed on New Year’s Day, Christmas, Independence Day, Patriot’s Day and Thanksgiving Day.