The Philadelphia Museum of Art vs the Barnes Museum

Don’t get it wrong—Philadelphia’s Museum of Art is a spectacular museum. With everything from medieval tapestries to Van Gogh’s sunflowers the Art Museum (as it’s called in Philly) has a formidable collection. But time is short and dollars are few, and just across the street lies a stunningly unique art experience that pushes the boundaries of what an art museum even is.

The Barnes Museum was established in 1922 by eccentric millionaire Albert C. Barnes, an entrepreneur with a strong belief that art is more than just a status symbol of the economic elite. Barnes collected great art from across the world and hung it in a giant mansion in suburban Philadelphia, hanging the paintings on wallpapered walls alongside rusted farm tools, old horseshoes and weathervanes. After some shady political manoeuvring the collection was brought into Philadelphia to allow for greater public access, the new building a perfect imitation of the Barnes mansion’s original interior. The collection is mostly European Impressionist and Modern, with many masterpieces by Renoir, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Degas, Modigliani and Picasso. But mixed amongst the collection are African tribal masks and Japanese ink paintings, medieval relics and Western American art. The paintings are organised not chronologically or geographically, but only as Barnes saw fit: by colour, contrast, or whim. Unless you’re a student ($10) tickets are pricey ($22) but it’s more than worth it. Make sure to book ahead.