Fogg Museum

The Fogg Museum, officially known as the Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, is an art museum located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, part of Harvard University. It is one of the three museums that constitute the Harvard Art Museums, alongside the Busch-Reisinger Museum and the Arthur M. Sackler Museum. The museum is renowned for its extensive collection of Western art, ranging from the Middle Ages to contemporary art, with particular strengths in Italian Renaissance, British Pre-Raphaelite, and 19th-century French art.

History

The Fogg Museum was founded in 1895 by a bequest from Elizabeth Fogg in memory of her husband, William Hayes Fogg. It was originally housed in a building designed by Richard Morris Hunt, but in 1927, it moved to its current location, a building designed by Coolidge, Shepley, Bulfinch and Abbott. Over the years, the museum has expanded its collection and facilities, undergoing significant renovations to enhance its educational and exhibition capabilities.

Collections

The Fogg Museum's collection includes works from Europe and North America from the Middle Ages to the present. Highlights include:

• Italian Renaissance paintings
• British Pre-Raphaelite paintings
• French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings
• American art from the 18th to the 20th century
• Modern and contemporary art

The museum also holds a significant collection of photographs, prints, and drawings, making it an important resource for academic research and education.

Exhibitions and Programs

The Fogg Museum hosts a range of temporary exhibitions that focus on specific artists, themes, or periods. These exhibitions often utilize works from its own collections as well as loans from other institutions and private collections. Additionally, the museum offers educational programs including lectures, workshops, and guided tours aimed at enhancing the public's understanding and appreciation of art.

Facilities

The museum's facilities include conservation laboratories and research libraries, which support the study and preservation of artworks. The building itself, following its latest renovation, offers state-of-the-art exhibition spaces, a lecture hall, and study centers.

Affiliations

As part of Harvard University, the Fogg Museum collaborates with various academic departments and participates in interdisciplinary research and teaching initiatives. It serves as a training ground for future art historians, conservators, and museum professionals.

See Also

• Harvard University
• Art museum
• Busch-Reisinger Museum
• Arthur M. Sackler Museum