Philadelphia Museuem of Art Holds 'Must-See' Galleries

Recently, I was lecturing at the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia and I marveled at the Impressionist collection.

During my trip, I visited other world class museums in Scandinavia. On my way home from the airport after a month away, I passed by another world-class museum on the international art scene—our own Philadelphia Museum of Art.

As I passed by the art museum, with jet lag already taking its toll, I took an obligatory look at the museum’s famous steps and impressive façade. Then, I noticed a street sign that always makes me smile.

In addition to a spectacular and tech-friendly urban sculpture garden, the street formerly known as Art Museum Drive was renamed to honor the museum’s beloved director Anne d’Harnoncourt who died in 2008 at age 64. Her career was an illustrious one, and she served to put the PMA on the map in the high profile world of powerhouse museums.

Today, there is no doubt that the Philadelphia Museum of Art is a must-see museum collection whether you are visiting the city of Brotherly Love from Stockholm or Scranton.

A gift of Impressionist art has recently come to the museum through the generosity of two of its longtime supporters. This major gift adds more great pieces to the museum’s collection.

Oil paintings and a pastel were gifted by Chara C. Haas and the late John Haas, including Monet’s "Path on the Island of Saint Martin, Vétheuil" from 1881. The lovely landscape painting was created during the time prior to the artist’s move to Giverny. "Apple Tree in the Meadow, Éragny" by Camille Pissarro was painted in 1893 at a site near his home, about 90 miles northwest of Paris. Alfred Sisley’s "Mooring Lines, the Effect of Snow at Saint Cloud" captures the artist’s interest in painting winter landscapes and dates to 1879.

Lastly, and not to be missed on any visit to the PMA, is a pastel by one of art history’s most important artists—male or female. Pennsylvania-born Mary Cassatt is represented in the gift with a work in her characteristic style called "Madame Bérard’s Baby (Lucie) in a Striped Armchair" from 1880. These important pieces offer further insight into the breadth and scope of each Impressionist artists’ work.

All of the works of art from the Haas' gift are currently on display in the museum’s galleries.

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