Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is perhaps best known for its art museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The museum has been a fixture in the city since 1876 and is one of the most visited museums in the world. But what was the Philadelphia Art Museum before it became an internationally recognized institution?
The building that now houses the museum was originally built in 1871 as the home of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Founded in 1805, the academy was a private school dedicated to training aspiring artists. It was one of America’s earliest art schools and it quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality instruction. The school featured classes in painting, sculpture, and other forms of fine art and its faculty included some of America’s greatest artists.
In 1876, after five years at its original location on Broad Street, PAFA moved to its current location on Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The building underwent extensive renovations to accommodate PAFA’s growing collection of works by American and European masters. It also featured classrooms, galleries dedicated to American art, and a library filled with rare books about art history.
PAFA remained at this location until 1928 when it moved to another part of Philadelphia and turned over control of its building to what would later become known as the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Under new leadership, PMA began acquiring larger pieces by modernist painters such as Matisse, Picasso, and Pollock. It also increased its focus on contemporary art from around the world.
Conclusion:
Before it became one of America’s premier art museums, The Philadelphia Museum of Art was once home to Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA). Founded in 1805 as an art school for aspiring artists, PAFA occupied the building until 1928 when they moved out and transferred control over it to what would eventually become PMA.
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