Taft museum of art Review

About Taft museum of art

The Taft Museum of Art: A Hidden Gem in Downtown Cincinnati

Nestled in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, the Taft Museum of Art is a hidden gem that boasts an impressive collection of fine art and decorative arts. Founded by Charles Phelps Taft and Anna Sinton Taft in 1932, this museum has become one of the finest small art museums in America.

The museum's collection includes over 700 works of art, ranging from European old masters to American Impressionists. Visitors can admire paintings by Rembrandt, Goya, and Turner as well as sculptures by Hiram Powers and Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The museum also houses an extensive collection of Chinese porcelains, European decorative arts, and American silver.

One of the highlights of the museum is its historic house setting. The building itself was constructed in 1820 for Martin Baum, a wealthy businessman who played a significant role in developing Cincinnati's early infrastructure. The house was later purchased by Nicholas Longworth II, a prominent lawyer and horticulturist who added several additions to the building.

In 1904, Charles Phelps Taft purchased the house for his family. He was a successful lawyer and politician who served as mayor of Cincinnati from 1897 to 1905. His wife Anna Sinton Taft was an avid collector of fine art and decorative arts.

After their deaths, their children donated their home and collections to create what is now known as the Taft Museum of Art. Today visitors can explore this historic home while admiring its impressive collection.

Aside from its permanent collection galleries which are open year-round; there are also special exhibitions that rotate throughout each year showcasing different themes or artists such as "Louis Comfort Tiffany: Treasures from the Driehaus Collection" or "Winslow Homer to Georgia O'Keeffe: American Paintings from The Phillips Collection".

In addition to its impressive collections on display inside; there are also beautiful gardens outside where visitors can relax amidst lush greenery while enjoying views overlooking downtown Cincinnati skyline.

The museum offers various programs for all ages including lectures on art history topics or hands-on workshops where visitors can learn new skills such as printmaking or painting techniques used by famous artists like Monet or Van Gogh.

For those interested in learning more about local history; guided tours are available which provide insight into how this historic home has evolved over time since it was first built back during early days when Ohio River Valley region began booming with commerce thanks largely due steamboat traffic along riverways connecting cities like Pittsburgh down southward towards New Orleans Gulf Coast ports via Mississippi River Delta region below Baton Rouge Louisiana area where many cotton plantations were located before Civil War era changed everything forevermore thereafter until present day times we live today!

Overall if you're looking for something unique experience that combines both history & culture together then look no further than visiting The Taft Museum Of Art!