Gardner Museum

Study the famous Sargent portrait of Mrs. Gardner, museum namesake and locally renowned art patron--it conveys the sense, sensuality and force of character that led her to assemble her striking collection and the palace to house it, and to ensure in her will that no one could ever second-guess her. Besides the art, visit often for the music series, the flower-filled courtyard, the excellent cafe and programs with visiting artists. The art represents an impressive collection of Italian Renaissance (Titian, Botticelli) paintings as well as French, German and Dutch masters. One of Mrs. Gardner's well-represented favorites was Degas, and the museum owns the first Matisse to enter an American collection.

Photo by Christine Liu

The Scene
Modeled after the 15th century palaces of Venice, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum's courtyard is lined on three sides with large archways complete with stone windowsills (posing as benches and front row garden seats). A black and white mosaic patio acts as the centerpiece and stone-fish-fountains, dirt pathways and verdant green plants make up the garden. A four-story glass ceiling successfully brings the outdoors inside.

What to Look for
Depending on the time of year, the garden displays many greeneries, including freesias, azaleas, hydrangeas, cape primrose, chrysanthemums, poinsettias and cyclamen.

Extras
The flowers are grown in the Museum's on-site greenhouses and are shown throughout the museum and in the courtyard. The only downside is that you can't actually walk through the courtyard; you can only admire from the periphery.