Museum of Fine Arts – Museum Review | Condé Nast Traveler
"Zoom out. What’s this place all about? The crown jewel of Boston’s art scene, the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) houses more than 500,000 works of art in a striking neoclassical building abutting the Back Bay Fens park. Wholly historic and beautifully modernized, it enriches you with a deep sense of gratitude for the cultural heritage of the world. As the fifth-biggest museum in the United States, the MFA is a significant draw to this small city, and Bostonians are immensely proud of its collection, exhibitions, and dynamic programming, from film festivals to art courses. No matter your interests or disinterests, you can find something that resonates with you here. What will we find in the permanent collection? The MFA’s vast collection of art and artifacts is exceptional by any standard. The museum houses one of the best collections of Korean art outside the Korean peninsula, the only permanent exhibition space for ancient coins in the United States, one of the world’s largest holdings of ancient Egyptian treasures, and its most comprehensive collection of work by John Singer Sargent. The museum’s claims to fame are so varied in fact, you could spend weeks documenting its exceptionality. The MFA collected the works of Claude Monet during his own lifetime, and you can see the museum’s impressive holdings of his art in a gallery devoted to his oeuvre. These hang in the European Wing, reinstalled in 2016 with one of the greatest caches of the Impressionist’s work outside of France. Today, the museum’s leaders continue to invest in contemporary art that draws this institution deeper into the 21st century and heightens the promise of the its continued legacy. And they’re always updating galleries to better display work from across the centuries. Check out the impressive Arts of Islamic Cultures Gallery, whose summer 2019 reinstallation was developed in collaboration with local Muslim groups. What about rotating exhibits? With over 10 seasonal exhibits on view at any given time, there are always world-class options to choose from at the MFA. An intentional range across mediums, experiences, artists, geography, and time periods cultivates surprise. Every time you walk into the museum, you can expect to see something new. For an absorbing visit, pick one exhibit that you think you would enjoy and one that challenges you rather than trying to jam in all 10. What did you make of the crowd? This prestigious museum attracts visitors from all over the world, but it rarely feels packed. You’ll notice a 50/50 balance between art lovers and passerbys taking an obligatory walk through the galleries during a visit to the city. Devoted members of the MFA also weave through its halls, quietly bringing their attention to previously unexplored exhibits or beloved parts of the museum’s collection. Any guided tours worth trying? Free daily programming makes it easy to crack through the novice perspective you may have brought to the MFA. A 60-minute guided tour of the museum, gallery talks, and weekly drawing sessions bring depth while also keeping things accessible. If you would rather immerse yourself in the museum solo, you can take one of eight different audio tours ($6). Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it? The three museum shops lure you in with the promise of beautiful objects inspired by the MFA’s noteworthy collection and rotating exhibits. Among the classics—art books, mugs, scarves—you’ll find a mix of delightful gifts that you may not need, but you definitely want. Is the café worth a stop, or should we just plan on going elsewhere? The MFA gives guests a handful choices for a drink or a meal. Its Garden Cafeteria lacks the charm of the higher-end options but opens onto a leafy courtyard that’s perfect for an iced tea in summer. Of the other three options (escalating in fanciness)—Taste, New American Café, and 465 Bar and Restaurant—465 is the most expensive and likely to deliver, but none are home runs. Instead of indulging in a possibly not-so-great museum meal, take a break in the outdoor courtyard or the indoor Ruth and Carl J. Shapiro Family Courtyard overlooking the Chihuly installation. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? A short visit to the MFA means you need to narrow your ambitions. The Art of the Americas Wing is a worthy focus, with 49 galleries that explore the art and artifacts of this continent with increasing emphasis on ancient American and Native American art. Galleries like “The Revolutionary Boston and New Nation” provide deeper understanding of Boston’s irreverent spirit and iconic role in American history. There you'll find John Singleton Copley’s “Paul Revere” and Thomas Sully’s expansive “Passage of the Delaware,” that hallmark image of George Washington on horseback." - Elizabeth Wellington
