The Barnes Foundation: Masterworks

About this book

The Barnes Foundation established by scientist entrepreneur and educator Dr. Albert C. Barnes in 1922 is home to a legendary art collection. Barnes assembled one of the worlds largest and finest groups of post-impressionist and early modern paintings with holdings by such luminaries as Renoir Czanne Matisse Picasso Rousseau Modigliani Soutine Manet Monet Seurat Degas Van Gogh and Gauguin. The Foundations collection also holds significant examples of American art including works by Demuth Glackens and the Prendergasts; African sculpture; Native American ceramics jewelry and textiles; Asian paintings prints and sculptures; medieval manuscripts and sculptures; Old Master paintings by El Greco Rubens Titian and others; ancient Egyptian Greek and Roman art; and American and European decorative arts and metalwork. The presentation of the collection reflects Barness educational and aesthetic approach: symmetrical ensembles or wall compositions combine works of different periods mediums cultures and styles for the purpose of comparison and study. Texts by Judith F. Dolkart and Martha Lucy explore the Barnes Foundations collection educational mission ensembles and individual works. Large color plates little-seen archival photographs and numerous gatefolds illustrate 150 of the greatest hits of the collection and twenty gallery ensembles.