Fine Arts
Although Rocky Balboa's intense training made its steps
famous, it is what's inside the Philadelphia Museum of Art that makes it so spectacular. Located on the Benjamin
Franklin Parkway, it is the third-largest
art museum in the United States, with more than 300,000 pieces of artwork from
the past 2,000 years. Featured works range from paintings and sculptures to
furniture and architecture. Renaissance, American, European, Asian,
Impressionist and Modern art are among the many collections exhibited, and
artists such as Cézanne, Picasso, Matisse, and Monet draw large crowds.
Additionally, the museum recently opened the Perelman Building, the first phase of its major expansion plan. This
building houses more of the museums' collections — some of which are open
for public viewing for the first time — in new state-of-the-art
galleries. And don't miss Art
After 5, an event held every Friday night
in the main building, where jazz musicians perform while guests enjoy cocktails
and snacks.
The nearby Rodin Museum is home to more than 120 of Auguste Rodin's sculptures, paintings and drawings. The collection of Rodin's work is the largest existing outside of France. The free admission includes access to the famous garden that surrounds the building. There's also the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the oldest art museum and school of fine arts in the country. It exhibits 18th-, 19th- and 20th- century works of American art. If you're looking for more modern work, head out to West Philadelphia for the Institute of Contemporary Art, which features a fascinating rotation of exhibits by emerging and established artists.
The Barnes Foundation, in Merion, Montgomery County, showcases one of the world's largest collections of Impressionist, post-Impressionist and early modern paintings. Plans are in progress for the museum to join its colleagues on the Parkway in Philadelphia, where its magnificent artworks will be more accessible to the public. Bucks County has the James A. Michener Art Museum, which celebrates the work of regional artists. The Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford, Delaware County is actually a converted 19th-century gristmill. The museum is internationally known for its exhibits of work from three generations of Wyeths, and also has a fine collection of American illustration, still life and landscape painting.
Travel to New Castle County, Delaware to experience Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. This country estate, set amid the backdrop of a glorious garden, was Henry Francis du Pont's home. It contains a collection of American art and furniture that dates from 1640 to 1860. Tours are available for a nominal fee, and ticketed visitors are invited to picnic on the beautiful estate grounds.