One continuous room running along the east side of the building, the Long Gallery is an art gallery, an archive, a library, and a chapel all at once. To walk along this corridor is to stroll through time, from antiquity to the turn of the 20th century, and past a vast array of objects—ancient sculpture, church furniture, modern letters, photographs, rare books, Renaissance paintings—all set against a palette of brilliant blue and glimmering gold. The 12 cases in the Long Gallery preserve a large portion of Gardner’s literary and historical manuscripts, personal correspondence, rare books, fine bindings, collected letters, and other memorabilia.
The Yellow Room will be closed September 3 to October 7 at the latest. The gallery lighting will be upgraded and the floor refinished.