The Barnes Foundation Opens after Controversial Move

On May 19 The Barnes Foundation opened its new Philadelphia home, after moving the large, idiosyncratic collection of the late Albert C. Barnes from his Merion estate. Proponents contend that architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien have crafted a contemporary piece of architecture that carefully balances history; they were legally mandated to reproduce the rooms from the original estate, to preserve the manner in which Barnes displayed his impressionist and post-impressionist art. Opponents argue that the move shouldn't have happened in the first place, per stipulations in Barnes' will that his art could not move or be changed.Controversy aside, the new Philadelphia campus brings Barnes' collection to a larger and more diverse audience than before.

On May 19 The Barnes Foundation opened its new Philadelphia home, after moving the large, idiosyncratic collection of the late Albert C. Barnes from his Merion estate. Proponents contend that architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien have crafted a contemporary piece of architecture that carefully balances history; they were legally mandated to reproduce the rooms from the original estate, to preserve the manner in which Barnes displayed his impressionist and post-impressionist art. Opponents argue that the move shouldn't have happened in the first place, per stipulations in Barnes' will that his art could not move or be changed.Controversy aside, the new Philadelphia campus brings Barnes' collection to a larger and more diverse audience than before.