Isabella Stewart Gardner’s Spirit, Forever A Gift

On March 18th,1990, thirteen treasures of international importance were stolen from Isabella Stewart Gardener’s Fenway Court. Lovers-of-art everywhere were rocked by the heist that lifted some of the world’s most valuable paintings from one of Boston’s most inspirational spaces.

Those in the know say, “The Concert” by Vermeer, like Rembrandt’s “Storm On The Sea of Galilee“, are priceless. The works landmarked genius, but to say they couldn’t be bought is to deny the reality of art being a commodity in the global marketplace. The spirit of the crime is vulgar, however, anything tangible is transactional.

At first glance the empty frames that remain in Gardener’s beloved galleries appear inconsistent with the museum’s opulence.  But, for students of Isabella’s sensibilities, the open-space is filled with her elegant spirit. They acknowledge, as she had to throughout her days, loss is part of life.

The pastel palazzo designed and decorated by the doyenne debuted in 1901. It remains an oasis of elevated thought.

Isabella’s home, a collection of American, Asian, and European Arts is a culturally challenging venue. Gardener, a complex woman was often provocative. Her décolletage was the stuff of gossip, keeping company with gay men raised eyebrows and her demand to have the Red Sox delay games until she arrived at Fenway Park caused many a fan to fume at the femme.

Defying convention the dynamo lived as a force-of-nature.

Gardner fought adversity with activity, heartbreak with hard-work and grief with generosity.  In many ways Isabella’s various collections can be seen as a series of metaphorical nods to all that defines humanity. Sacred and secular; the genius of Isabella landmarked her entire sanctuary by exploring the universality of the human-condition.

Thirty-five years after the theft of some of the world’s most valuable art, Fenway Court’s empty frames are a testament to the woman who lived boldly, loved deeply, and believed wholly in spiritual legacy.

Portraits of the provocateur are plentiful inside the Museum. But it’s her essence that gifts the atrium’s light. Legends have been written about the grand-dame’s means and schemes as a collector of collector’s dreams. If her stolen art is lost forever what remains framed in their perpetual absence is Isabella Stewart Gardner’s priceless infusion of spirituality.

Her Museum has the capacity to fill your soul with perspective. Designed to delight the senses it fuses artistic and psychological tensions.  Ancient sculptures stand as garden sentinels, soft tapestries honor heroes, and the water-splashed Courtyard is a quiet cacophony of color landmarking the greatest of Isabella’s gifts~ her forever spirit.

General Admission Tickets: $22.00

Seniors : $20.00

17 years and younger: free

Those named Isabella : free for life with a reservation 617 278 5156 !

First Thursday night of the month free 3-9 pm.

The annual nasturtium display begins :April 2, 2025.