Dig deeper into our collections with our most recent stories.
The Medusa Mosaic in the Courtyard
The Courtyard’s mosaic floor features Medusa, a creature of Greek mythology whose gaze will turn you into stone. Learn why her monstrous image was used at wealthy Roman homes and baths.
Isabella’s Delightful Stone Fruit Baskets
From Green Hill Estate to the Gardner Museum, Isabella’s stone fruit baskets added a playful note to her garden designs. Learn more about these often overlooked staples of the Courtyard!
Isabella Stewart Gardner, the American West, and Central America
Read about Isabella's interest in the art and culture from some of the Spanish-speaking regions outside of Spain.
Lady Augusta Gregory: One of Isabella’s Pen Pals
Letters from Isabella’s friends offer us one of the only insights into her personal life, revealing how she was a faithful correspondent to many.
The History of Labor Day and the Laborers Who Built the Gardner Museum
Find out about the history of Labor Day and the effect of American workers’ movements during the Museum’s construction.
Revealing the Layers of European Painted Wood Sculptures Using XRF Technology
XRF analysis is a tool used by conservators, including at ISGM, to non-destructively examine the materials used in historic art, providing a valuable glimpse into the pigments and techniques employed by artists.
Isabella’s Children's Books: From the Babes in the Wood to Doctor Dolittle
With our two summer exhibitions featuring the work of famed children's book authors and illustrators Maurice Sendak and Oliver Jeffers, learn more about Isabella Stewart Gardner’s collection of children’s books.
Relics of an Emperor: Napoleon Bonaparte in the Gardner Museum
Isabella’s fascination with Napoleonic relics is well-documented throughout the Gardner Museum, particularly in the Short Gallery. Learn more about the artifacts in the collection before your next trip to the Museum.
John Singer Sargent, Isabella Stewart Gardner, and Spain
Learn a bit about how Isabella Stewart Gardner and John Singer Sargent both loved and were inspired by their travel to Spain.
