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Titian Poesies Gardner Museum Exhibit: Women, Myth & Power

The Titian is Back at the Gardner, Fully Restored to it's Original SplendorTitian Poesies Gardner Museum Exhibit Women, Myth  Power

The Titian is back at the Gardner Museum restored to its original splendor; and all six of Titian's poesie paintings are together for the first time in 440 years! View this special exhibit at eye level now thru Jan 2, 2022. 

Titian Women Myth Power Exhibit Isabella Gardner Museum Boston

Below is the Titian Room's wall spot that Titian's 'Rape of Europa' usually dwells.  The painting has been out of the country on tour with the poesie (the 5 other Titian paintings in this series).   In 2019, the painting underwent a restoration for the first time in 90 years. 

Titian Room Isabella Gardner Museum Artwork Removed

"Between 1551 and 1562, Titian delivered to Philip the six monumental paintings gathered in this room. Inspired by the words of the ancient Roman poet Ovid, the artist called them “poesie,” painted poems, eliciting a comparison between painting and poetry." 

source IGM

Painting #1 - Danae

Titian Women Myth Power Exhibit Poesie Isabella Gardner Museum Boston

Painting #2 - Venus & Adonis (Read more about the interpretation of this painting)

 

Titian Women Myth Power Exhibit Poesie Isabella Gardner Museum Boston

 

Painting #3 - Diana and Actaeon 

Titian Women Myth Power Exhibit Poesie Isabella Gardner Museum Boston

 

Painting # 4 Diana and Calisto

Titian Women Myth Power Exhibit Poesie Isabella Gardner Museum Boston

 

Painting #5 - Perseus and Andromeda (Read more on the interpretation of this painting)

Titian Women Myth Power Exhibit Poesie Isabella Gardner Museum Boston


Painting #6 - Rape of Europa

Of course, your visit to any special exhibit at the Gardner Museum wouldn't be complete without taking a spin through the palace to see the always stunning courtyard. ON this September day, it was decorated with many fall-colored plantings.

isabella Gardner Museum courtyard boston fall

Visitors will always find something different to gaze upon here.   Depending on the day, the lighting, where you sit, or what new plantings have been brought in, the courtyard is  an ever-changing work of art in itself.

isabella stewart gardner museum courtyard boston fall

 

isabella stewart gardner museum courtyard boston fall

 

isabella stewart gardner museum courtyard boston fall

Two grand stairwells ascend along the far side of the palace.  Even here, you will find many of Isabella's treasure finds; stone carvings, an ornate wooden door, decorative cornices, etched mirrors, marble pillars and more.  Everywhere you look, just a cornucopia of skilled artistry placed just so.  

I will say, that for as many times that I have visited this exquisite museum, there is always something new to discover in some nook, or corner, or in plain sight! 

isabella stewart gardner museum staircase boston

This carved marvel sits just above the entrance to the Dutch room - the one everyone visits to see the empty Rembrandt and Vermeer frames from the historic art heist.  This particular piece is Painted lindenwood and called 'Saint Martin and the Beggar | German, Bavaria, about 1520.   

Isabella stewart gardner museum wall carving boston

This portrait of 'Christ Carrying the Cross' by Giovanni Bellini (1505-1510) is positioned just so next to a window that emits terrific natural light.  Upon further inspection, the painting even appears to be curved within the frame.  It's hard to explain - you'll have to go visit the Titian room to see it for yourself.

isabella gardner museum christ portrait titian room

Here is the Titian room, so named for the painting that was recently restored and is currently on exhibit one floor down with all six poesis (painted poems).  Titian: Women, Myth, & Power.

gardner museum titian room without Rape of Europa

Here's another nook that I hadn't taken in before in the Early Italian Room (or the 'Hercules' room) with the leathered walls.   These mirrors were placed in such a way as to reflect the ornate ceiling above.

I would have loved to have known Isabella.   Why did she put these paintings together? What was she trying to convey?  What does this say about her and her legacy?  What a truly singular personality she must have been.  I can never get enough of this museum. 

Gardner Museum Boston Mirrors

So do make your way over to experience the newly restored Titian at eye level, along with it's 5 poesie masterworks.  Women, Myth & Power will be on exhibit through Jan. 2, 2022

Isabella Gardner Museum Courtyard Mosaic Boston

For a more comprehensive photo tour of the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum, please visit our guide.  This museum is one of our favorites in Boston, so many a photo has been taken and shared.  Isabella's wish was for her museum to exist “for the education and enjoyment of the public forever”.  Indeed it does.

For more ideas about Boston activities,  visit our things to do in Boston guide to find fun things to do all year round.  And for a daily view of what's going on in Boston - visit our Boston Events Calendar any time of the year.  There are many Museums in Boston to explore and it's the perfect activity to reserve for a Boston rainy day.

Stacey SaoStacey Sao has been the Managing Director of the family-friendly events and activities website, BostonCentral for over 20 years.  She continues to enjoy discovering and exploring new places to visit in the Greater Boston area, and the Gardner Museum has always been one of her favorites.