Stolen 19 July 2012

Simple signs and empty frames at Boston's Isabella Gardner Museum make the vivid point that the vision and passion of one collector were damaged in 1990 when thieves stole a number of masterpieces from the museum. But the decision to keep these empty spaces somehow maintains the museum as a perfect whole.

Readers of this blog will be unsurprised to hear, being a lover of house museums, that I was enchanted by the museum. It combines everything I love in the Wallace Collection, Sir John Soane Museum, and Kettles Yard (some of which have featured here before) to create a unique and beautiful space that is testament to Isabella Gardner's taste and commitment. Rooms bring together sculptures, paintings and furniture from different periods and regions, united in a building which is like a Venetian palace turned inside out. The sun-filled courtyard garden at the centre constantly vies with the objects for your attention.

I realise that this could be inconsistent with my criticism of academic curators yesterday, as I am enthralled by the individual style of a historic actor, but not of a modern one. I think the difference is partly that the Gardner displays don't try to dictate in any way, however obtuse, but just to create an aesthetic experience, and partly that they do, in fact, very effectively communicate Gardner's vision and joy in her art works.

So, what was stolen on 19 July 2012, my heart of course! I am considering changing my name to Isabella so that I can get in free - just another example of the individual charm of this wonderful museum.