The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

The Nation’s First Art Museum

Nestled among skyscrapers on Broad Street, just north of City Hall, lies the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the oldest art museum and art school in the United States. PAFA’s vast collection includes such American masterpieces as Penn’s Treaty With the Indians by Benjamin West and Gilbert Stuart’s unfinished “dollar bill” portrait of George Washington; works by sculptors such as William Rush, who helped create PAFA; and over 12,000 works on paper by important American artists such as John James Audubon and Andy Warhol. Since the Civil War, PAFA’s annual exhibitions have shifted from their original European style and tend to focus mostly on uniquely American artists.

Of course, PAFA is not just a museum. It is also one of the United States’ premiere art schools. Students at PAFA enjoy their own studios, interact with talented visiting artists, study and work in a world-class museum, and meet the global art community in the Academy’s many study-abroad programs. Frequently, graduate students stay and become teachers. According to PAFA’s website, “Many influential artists who studied at PAFA have become members of the faculty. Each generation of artists teaching and exhibiting here continues to share experience and expertise, creating an unbroken line of artistic innovation that stretches from 1805 to the present.” The school offers “in-house” BFAs in addition to BFAs from the University of Pennsylvania. In 1992, PAFA introduced its Masters of Fine Arts Program, which enrolls an average of 60 students per year. Additionally, the Academy’s extensive Continuing Education program provides instruction for students at all levels of proficiency.

HISTORY

Now a familiar sight on North Broad, the Academy has not always maintained the same location. In 1805, PAFA was founded by a group of prominent American artists and businessmen, including Charles Wilson Peale and William Rush and opened in 1806 in a more modest, classical style Chestnut Street building. After a damaging fire in 1845, PAFA reopened in a new building at the same location, but by 1870, the burgeoning Academy needed more room. in 1876, PAFA reopened at 118-128 N. Broad Street. The larger, more prestigious Victorian Gothic building provided a more suitable location for the Academy’s impressive collection. However, according to PAFA’s website, opinions were split as to whether the Broad and Cherry Street location would be successful. “One faction insisted that the Broad and Cherry location would turn out to be a disastrous choice, soon to be cut off from the rest of the city by the massive bulk of City Hall.” Such fears would prove unfounded. More recently, in 2002, PAFA acquired what is now called the Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building. Originally used as a car show room, the building provided additional exhibition space and was ideal for displaying extra large contemporary paintings.

PAFA has always been an important player in American art history. For example, in the 1920’s, the Academy’s Representative Modern Masters exhibit contributed to the acceptance of post-impressionists such as Cézanne and the young Matisse. According to PAFA’s website, “The organizers, Arthur B. Carles and Carroll Tyson, secured a catalogue introduction by conductor Leopold Stokowski, who encouraged acceptance of these modern artists by comparing them to Debussy and Stravinsky.” Comparisons to modern composers already deemed “legitimate” likely helped gain acceptance for modern artists. During World War II, many art students and faculty left to fight overseas. During this time the Academy relied on small displays of soldiers’ work to survive. Many of the Academy’s works were in vaults to prevent their destruction in the event of a bombing raid.

Additionally, PAFA has been instrumental in developing the role of women in the art world. In 1844, the Academy announced that women would have exclusive study time in the museum at certain times during the week. In the 1860’s, women were also allowed to take anatomy classes with both male and female models. By 1868, female students had access to all parts of the Academy. The Academy got its first female instructor in 1878.

VISIT

In two centuries, PAFA has established itself as an integral and uniquely Philadelphian component of the world’s art community. Be a part of its story by visiting Tuesdays - Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m and Sundays, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Ticketing and tour information are available on the website. While admiring the collection, be sure to ask about the many education programs offered throughout the year.

Writer: Pierre Hazan

Editor: Andrew P Crowley

Photos: Olive Sheehan

Works Cited

"Charles Willson Peale." Virtualology A Virtual Education Project. Web. 02 Feb. 2010.

WILLSONPEALE.COM/>.

“Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, National Historic Landmark, Philadelphia

PA 19107." Living Places. Web. 5 Feb. 2010. .

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Web. 01 Feb. 2010. .