Barnes Foundation Review

Cool story behind the collection and really nice building to house it. Free events on some Fridays in the atrium. Always recommend getting the audio tour.

Incredible place, excellent attention from the staff, and perfect environment to just take time to admire each of the paintings.

Very nice collection. Just a pity for the museography that does not put the paintings in value: bad lighting, tapestry walls, frames in poor condition, tight paintings against each other ...

One of the great museums of North America albeit small. Additionally, it is adjacent to 2 other wonderful museums, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Rodin museum. I used to go to the Barnes for many years in Lower Merion with my grandfather; the new museum is more accessible and better. The Barnes has one of the largest collections of French Impressionist art in the world juxtaposed to Pennsylvania Dutch objects and African art. Barnes made his fortune selling a medicinal liquor/placebo. He spent it well however buying beautiful art and supporting the education of African Americans.

Such a unique and amazing collection. They also have great programming and events. They have a new app now that makes the galleries really engaging. One of my favorite museums in the city for sure!

Renoir as if it rained, Matisse, Van Gogh, Monet, Manet shovel, some Picasso
And some others on two or three ranks in
each room. You have the right to approach to 30 Cm
Free the first Sunday of the month.

Just felt weird and some of the staff were down right hunger games strange. Not going back. Rather just go to the main Art Museum.

See early Picasso, loads of Renoir, Matisse and others, presented in easy-to-tour rooms. Download their app on their free wifi and scan each work with your phone to get detailed info. A treat!

Such a hidden gem. My friend described this as Philly's pride and joy and she was absolutely right. Do make time for this museum when you are in town.

Excited to finally see the Barnes collection and physical site.

Been waiting in line for over an hour and still haven t seen any art. Been to at least 100 art museums around the world and never saw such a stupid admissions policy

I was dubious about the decision to move the artworks from their original home; but I have to admit it's been done beautifully!
I especially like that the collection has been rehung EXACTLY as it was originally in Merion, down to the dimensions of the rooms themselves.
The surrounding spaces are very pleasant and set a calm quiet mood. The cafe is not great- not enough sitting space; I've not yet eaten in the restaurant,
The collection is quite extraordinary and well worth seeing!

Beautiful space and nice grand meeting area. Architecture was tops!

Beautiful collection, mainly impressionist paintings. They have the largest collection of paintings by Renoir in the world. But it is poorly exhibited. Far too many paintings close together, no information about the paintings themselves, but in a folder per room. You have to stay behind the line, logically but there are paintings hanging between the rooms and I was nevertheless asked to stand behind a line, so in the corner of one of the rooms, crooked in front of the painting. Highly recommended, but it could be so much better!

The collection is GREAT! Since it was a private collection by Mr.Barnes, he certainly had his personal taste imprinted in the collections as well as the style they were displayed, i.e. the sharp contrast of colors in red and blue. The collection is mostly impressionism, and some abstraction-ism. There are a lot of Renoir's, from some of you can actually see Renoir painted the human faces (mostly babies) in a slightly different style (their shining eyes) from his usual "impression" of human faces (mostly young girls) being red, round and harmony. But the paintings that strike me most are the Matisses's. Certainly,Matisse painted a lot of women. But those nearly perfect figures under his brush are not just expressed as women. They are human spirits adopted into certain forms for us to recognize more easily. Matisses had to condescend to our eyes. For example, he would paint a woman with beautiful face, hair, shoulder but a complete but very simple, sometimes sketchy torso and legs. (which made his work more adorable than Picasso's, to some people, I mean myself.)

Well, there are just too many things to see in one day, and too many things for me to name, waiting for you to explore.

Other than the pluses, there are a few things about my experience that I'd like to point out:

1. Even if you reserved your ticket about a specific hour, like 3pm, days ago, on the day of your visit you still have to wait in a line at 3pm. (unless you are a member then you do not need to wait in lines.) I did not know that when I was coming in, and thought those people in line were waiting for some special tours, until reality hits me..

I understand that even in the new location people would like to keep the original style that Mr.Barnes had kept those paintings, (as moving from the old location in suburban Merion to center Philly already offended a lot people), the rooms are still too small to hold a large number of visitors. The gallery is crowded.

2. If you bring your iphone you can borrow a pair of headphones from the counter for free. If you do not have a smart phone to broadcast for you there is a fee to use their machines. But, under each of the paintings there is at most just the painter's name. You can not expect there is any legend, or explanation of the painting hanging on the wall, as in the case of the public museums. The walls are densely covered by paintings alone.

3. Like most public museums in Canada (unlike US), it is not allowed to take pictures in the gallery. But you can check bags at the lower floor for free.

4. Perhaps they did not notice this. While their guards are trying very hard to politely keep the visitors from becoming too close to the pictures, they sometimes become too close themselves, (well, at least in the case of a guard with a big hair), lol

Overall, those being said, it is still one of the best art experience I've so far encountered in America.

Amazing place for the whole family. Incredible artwork. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Beautiful grounds

What an amazing selection of art! So glad I spotted this place while walking around around the museum district. Unreal collection of Renoir, Matisse, Picasso, Cezanne and many many more. My only criticism is that they need more space. It sometimes feels like there are too many paintings on each wall. Highly recommend it!

What can I say. If you have heard of the Barnes Foundation, you already know of the storied collection. The recently build new building offers a modern touch to a timeless collection of art.

The art collection here can best be described as an embarrassment of riches. The collection is amazing and second to none. The rooms and walls are laid out as Dr. Barnes had originally displayed them. This meana a tremendous quantity of works in close proximity. It's certainly a shock compared to any other museum. The good news is they are able to display the entire collection in a smaller space. Some people, however, may find this overwhelming and detracting to the experience.

They have great learning opportunities between hourly tours and sit down short lectures/discussions during the day.

It was very hard to figure out where to go. There should be maps. In one gallery. The art pieces dont have any names on them. They are in these booklets on the benches. Sometimes there aren't enough booklets to go around.

For an art lover an incredible collection. Will be back again . Thank you for what you do when we come to your museum.

Small but has some great art pieces. Not really worth the price unless you a student or really like art.

Extensive collection although a little expensive: it is worth the discount to students

What an amazing collection, worth the trip to Philadelphia. Impressionist heaven.

Beautifull reconstruction of the Barne's house.
Definitely recommended!

My all time favorite museum. Unbelievable art collection of impressionist painters.

World Class Impressionist Museum. More Renoir paintings then any where in the world

Interesting. You have to go more than once to appreciate the whole collection

fascinating so many Renoir, Picaseo and local artists in unique display. special smartphone program keys you read about all the paintings and email what you saw to yourself. Drawback.. watch the security alarms

You must go. Bring a well charged smartphone for your own guided tour or pay a bit more for an excellent docent led tour. There are also free talks at least every hour. Get there early so you can spend the whole day

They should sell t-shirts that say, 'I got yelled at for standing on the wrong side of the.line at the Barnes.Museum'. There are some corner locations where.if you are trying to position yourself to get a scan for their app you go over the line. And get dinged. The lines intersect right by the doorways where things are hanging. So of you pause to let someone else through you're on the wrong side of the line and get dinged. Very few people I saw were planting their faces up against the displays. Or were doing anything more than shifting positions. If you get observed taking prolonged liberties with the boundaries I can see being cautioned. But that didn't seem to ever be the case. More.like the line police at work. Up to me, I'd have just left early.

Several years ago my art history professor tried to describe to us how incredible the experience at the Barnes Foundation is. All I can say is that she was absolutely right. Art appreciators, make sure this is on your list if you're ever in the area.

Wonderful museum. Full of numerous Cezanne, Matisse and many others..even a few Basquiat pieces. I also discovered a new artist. Thank you

Great museum with so much stunning art and a great space inside and out

Have only seen the exterior but I can imagine what the inside is like, and I'm positive that it is as gorgeous on the inside as it is on the outside, at least to me, anyway.

A beautifully designed museum with many important works displayed. The exhibition 30 Americans is not to be missed.

The Barnes has some of the best art in the world! I love how the new location is an exact replica of the original suburban location. I think all art lovers should visit. Discounts are offered regularly.

Went to the Barnes Foundation with some family and friends and was blown away by how the art is displayed there. It feels more like walking through someone s humble home than having billions of dollars worth of art right before your eyes.

Try to go on the first Sunday of the month to avoid pricey entry fee or bring your student ID any day to get $25 off.

Four stars instead of five because Barnes wishes to use the art for education rather than for profit were not honored by Phila Museum of Art (watch The Art of the Steal documentary about this). On the other hand, I m grateful the collection is open to the public.

We love this museum! A large amount to see but still an intimate feel. Great gift shop!

I had no idea this place was here! It's ridiculously amazing. Literally billions of dollars worth of fine arts from the later Renaissance and early impressionist periods.

A must see place in Philly if you are into the art, specially painting. Student pay $5.00, adults $25.00

It is an excellent facsimile of the original Barnes Foundation in Lower Marion. We visited the Barnes 1 week before the move to Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Each room from the old mansion was painstakingly reproduced in detail. It was like seeing old friends, again. HIGHLY recommend visiting the Barnes Foundation. Thank you to the Barnes Foundation, it's supporters and the City of Philadelphia for rescuing this priceless collection and making it available to the world.

Absolutely beautiful oasis in the the art district of Philadelphia.

To everyone who is visiting, it is an amazing place to look at art work and take in the Magnificent works of art collected by a wonderful man. BUT you should know the real story of how the collection got into the museums hands. They should be ashamed of themselves. To see, in all honestly, how people have become self centered, and only care about the amount of money that is in there pockets is very sad. I advise everyone to watch "The art of the Steal" to get better acquainted with this outstanding collection of art.

This was my very first time visiting the Barnes Foundation, but it surely won t be my last. I was invited by the Young Professionals organization in Philly to attend an art event here.

The event was held on the very last day of the 30 Americans exhibit, which is a mighty fine exhibit that displays all the amazing Black artists!! This exhibit will surely be missed!

Aside from the event, the Barnes foundation is an exceptional Philly art museum. There is a sufficient amount of art work within the facilities and it does not take all day to explore! You have time for lunch after your visit and also attend another art museum down the street!

Must see gallery with an amazing collection of masterpieces.

Museum was really well maintained and the grounds are beautiful, but on the free family day, it was so burdensome to get in, it would be far more worthwhile to go on a regular day.

Very desippointed by the presentation
Beautiful collection but bad exposed!

Return the collection in Europe !!

I personally found this art museum to be overpriced ($30), especially compared to the Philadelphia Museum of Art ($20) just down the street that's much larger. The art is "cluttered" in my opinion. Too many pieces in small rooms with lots of people. Pluses? Information binders in every room. Cheaper cafe. Nice gift shop.

They had nice activities for groups with children but I couldn't see me going back on my own.

Pure art art full collections I loved it I recommend it

I love that this museum teaches you how to identify the styles of Cezanne, Renoir, Picasso, etc. without even any formal commentary. At a certain point, you've seen so many paintings from these artists, you magically have a sense of who painted what without looking at the labels! Amazing collection and must-see for those who appreciate art.

Love the Barnes and it's programming. I've enjoyed every visit and program I've been a part of.

Came here for a night of performances called Fierce Women!
It was amazing. They also had tango lessons and dancing in the courtyard,
Access to the museum collection for the whole night.
Never a dull moment. Moved around freely between attractions. Mingled with the artists. Ate expensive, mediocre finger food. Decent but limited beer and wine selections.
What a great way to congregate, recreate, cultivate and celebrate!

Although putting the collection in center city is nothing that Dr. Barnes would have wanted, at least it's still together and arranged the way he orginally arranged it. The arrangements and the relationships between art pieces is an artwork in it self. As a student, the Barnes foundation was great in keeping the gallery open during class times, it was an amazing experience.

We got to go for a cool free block party they had where if you registered online you got entrance to the museum for free. We definitely plan to pay to go back - it's worth it! I will be taking my mom and mom-in-law as well. I've never seen so many beautiful and famous works in a single collection. So many beautiful impressionist pieces. The building itself is very beautiful too!

Incredible place for Impressionist fans. Biggest collection on Renoir anywhere. Collection displayed as groups of pieces that Mr. Barnes believed best delivered the art to the viewer. Many larger museums have more pieces that you need to hunt through to find what you like. If you love Renoir and his contemporaries then this is the place to spend a few hours. Get a guided tour if you can.

Beautiful collection however people treat the place as a coffee shop. Really noisy for a museum and also even though they have an impressive and beautiful collection the way it is display doesn't work for me.

I'll start with I don't usually go to museums. I thought it was really nice. Nobody made me feel uncomfortable because I didn't know anything about art. They had a guy that was going around and explaining why pictures were hung in certain places. It was a little expensive but I don't know what it usually cost to go to places like this.

Definitely worth a visit. The art collection is staggeringly large, but it is presented in small, intimate rooms that make it possible to really examine each painting.

Below expectations, food on the grassy side. Ok for a one time meal but not to come back