The Barnes Foundation
In September I took a quick weekend trip to Philadelphia. Having been to most of the museums in Philly before, I decided to revisit the Barnes Foundation-one of my favorites!
Reflecting pool at The Barnes Foundation entrance.
The Art Museum relocated from Merion, Pennsylvania to Philadelphia in 2012 and boasts a large collection of French Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and early modern paintings. I enjoyed seeing many Seurat, Monet, Rousseau, early Picasso and Cezanne paintings (to name a few) but couldn’t help but constantly admire the building’s architecture and details.
A glimpse of the art galleries.
Matisse mural overhead.
The Barnes Foundation was designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects (TWBTA). The building’s exterior is lined with fossilized Israeli Limestone. This specific limestone was chosen to mimic the French Limestone that was used in the earlier Merion museum location. Sand-blasted cast-in-place concrete is used for the Pavilion and lower level to represent permanence.
Exterior view of the museum.
The surrounding landscape of the building closes off the museum from the rest of the city with its many trees and reflective pools. From the lower level you can enter a garden in the center of the gallery that is visible from glass windows on other floors, providing a serene experience when walking from room to room.
Greenery surrounding the building.
View onto the central garden.
The materials used inside complete the serene environment throughout. The interiors incorporate transparent glass, oak wood battens, Belgian linen, a walnut staircase, sand-blasted architectural concrete, and limestone.
Grand entrance/lobby.
Walkway windows with garden view.
The natural light enters the second-floor galleries beautifully with a clerestory that draws top-light into the rooms. Louvers further diffuse the sunlight throughout.
Clerestory light
Window and ceiling detail.
At the end of September, across the way from the Barnes Foundation, the Calder Gardens opened to the public. Can’t wait to visit next time I am back in Philadelphia.
All in all, whether you are interested in art, architecture or both, I would highly recommend visiting the Barnes Foundation if you ever find yourself in Philadelphia.
