10 must-see works and rooms at the Gardner Museum
Quick answer
The Gardner's must-sees are Titian's Europa, Sargent's El Jaleo, Botticelli's Madonna of the Eucharist, the central courtyard, the Dutch Room with the empty frames from the 1990 theft and Sargent's portrait of Isabella. The works keep the arrangement Isabella chose, so labels are few.
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The key works, by room
The Gardner keeps the arrangement Isabella set; works don't move between rooms. Rooms below are indicative.
- 1
Titian Room
Europa — Titian (1559–1562)
Painted for Philip II, it is the most important work in the collection and one of the great mythological paintings of the Renaissance.
- 2
Spanish Cloister
El Jaleo — John Singer Sargent (1882)
A flamenco dancer among guitarists, lit by floor lights in a simulated cloister.
- 3
Floor 2
Madonna of the Eucharist — Sandro Botticelli (c. 1470)
One of the most delicate works of the Florentine Renaissance, with gold and exquisite detail.
- 4
Central courtyard
The courtyard
The heart of the palace: an interior garden ringed by balconies with Roman sculptures and seasonal flowers.
- 5
Dutch Room
The empty frames
Rembrandt and Vermeer once hung here. The empty frames are the reminder of the 1990 theft.
- 6
Gothic Room
Isabella Stewart Gardner in White — John Singer Sargent (1922)
The founder's portrait, painted late in her life with watercolour-like delicacy.
- 7
Floor 2
Death and Assumption of the Virgin — Fra Angelico
A small 15th-century Italian panel of great refinement.
- 8
Raphael Room
Count Tommaso Inghirami — Raphael (c. 1510)
Portrait of the papal court humanist: one of the most valuable works in the collection.
- 9
Modern wing
Temporary exhibitions
Renzo Piano's wing hosts contemporary art in dialogue with the collection.
- 10
Tapestry Room
Tapestries and concerts
An imposing room with Flemish tapestries where concerts are held.
How to see them in one visit
The palace has three floors around the courtyard. Start at the bottom (courtyard and Spanish Cloister), go up to floor 2 (Titian, Botticelli, Dutch Room) and finish on the third with the Gothic Room. Our 2-hour route follows this order.
Frequently asked questions
What famous works are at the Gardner?
Titian's Europa, Sargent's El Jaleo, Botticelli, Raphael and the story of the empty frames from the 1990 theft.
What was stolen in 1990?
Thirteen works, including three Rembrandts, Vermeer's The Concert, Manet's Chez Tortoni and several Degas.
Where are the Rembrandts and the Vermeer?
They remain missing. The Dutch Room has empty frames where they hung.
Why don't the works move?
Isabella's will requires the collection to keep its original arrangement.