Founded in 1805 the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts stands before you. It’s the oldest continuously operating art museum and school in the United States. Imagine the artists and patrons who walked these very streets. They envisioned a place to cultivate the fine arts. A place where American talent could flourish.
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts first opened its doors in a building on Chestnut and 10th Streets. Designed by John Dorsey it served as both a museum and a school. The first exhibition in 1811 showcased over 500 paintings and statues. It was a bold beginning for what would become a national treasure.
Sadly a fire in 1845 destroyed the original building. Undeterred the academy rebuilt. The new building by architect Richard Arthington Gilpin opened in 1847. This too met an unfortunate end demolished in 1870 after storm damage.
Then came the current building. The magnificent Furness-Hewitt building. Construction began in 1871. It opened as part of the 1876 Philadelphia Exposition. Architects Frank Furness and George Hewitt designed it. They blended Second Empire Renaissance and Gothic Revival styles. The result is breathtaking. A testament to Victorian architecture. The building’s exterior boasts rusticated brownstone dressed sandstone polished pink granite red pressed brick and purplish terra-cotta.
Inside the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts the opulence continues. Gilded floral patterns adorn Venetian red walls. A cerulean blue ceiling sparkles with silver stars. Plum ochre sand and olive green hues paint the gallery walls. Brick stone and iron create the structure. Some exposed iron I-beams are a nod to the building’s fireproofing concerns.
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts has always been a place of innovation and progress. It started with an inclusive mission. But this acceptance has not been consistent. In the 19th century women were gradually allowed more opportunities. In 1878 Catherine Drinker became the first woman to teach at the academy. In 1895 Cecilia Beaux became the first female faculty member to teach painting and drawing. This reflects a slow but steady expansion of inclusivity.
The 20th century brought further development. The academy acquired important collections like the Linda Lee Alter Collection of Art by Women in 2010. This collection features works by Louise Bourgeois Judy Chicago and many others. The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts continues its dedication to showcasing American art. From its historic beginnings to its modern acquisitions the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts’s story is one of perseverance vision and artistic excellence. It is a true Philadelphia landmark. A place where art history unfolds before your eyes.