Souvenirs enrich the everyday lives of voyagers and remind them of their wonderful journeys long after they have returned home. Even if they are small, these mementos can become treasured objects that retain their meaning for a lifetime. One avid traveler who was particularly skilled at selecting souvenirs was Isabella Stewart Gardner, the founder of one of Boston's most well-known museums.
Gardner was not a typical tourist, however, and indeed, hers were not ordinary souvenirs. Gardner traveled with her husband, Jack, to many countries in Europe and Asia. Through these travels, she became inspired to open a museum in her hometown of Boston to share the treasures she acquired on her trips and those that she acquired when at home with the community. This collection eventually became the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, which today houses some of the world's most notable artwork.
Through her voyages, Gardner became fascinated with Asia, and the current special exhibition celebrates her deep interest in the cultures of the Far East. Running until May 31st, "Journeys East: Isabella Stewart Gardner and Asia," features Gardner's travel albums from Asia, sculptures, large screens, jewelry and other small items she acquired.
Because of Gardner's will, the majority of the museum's collection has remained unchanged since her death in the early 20th century, and, thus, the area for special exhibitions is rather small and located behind the museum's spectacular courtyard. Only 15 visitors are allowed into the exhibition space at a time, so each visitor gets the opportunity to interact on a personal level with the beautiful objects displayed.
During her travels to countries such as China, Japan and Cambodia, Gardner assembled travel albums that featured photographs of the destinations she visited, her own, handwritten captions and small mementos. Six such albums are displayed in this exhibition.
The album she assembled during her travels in China is open to a page that includes a photograph of the walls of the city of Beijing, a pressed flower and a handwritten caption. According to the museum description, photographs like the one of the wall were routinely produced for tourists, and during trips, "Isabella spent long hours ... cutting and arranging the photographs and writing captions. She carefully preserved the albums in her museum ... proudly showed them to friends, and may have consulted them when installing Asian objects in the museum."
The travel albums are intriguing because not only do they reflect Gardner's remarkable insight into the cultures of the countries she visited, they also track her increasing interest in foreign cultures that led to her decision to open the museum.
In another case in exhibition, several Japanese lacquered boxes are presented with fans and other objects. One notable item in this display is entitled "Fan-Shaped Box" (19th century). The gold colored box is, as its title would suggest, shaped like a traditional fan, and it is covered with a carved pattern. But despite the pattern's intricacy, the piece is quietly elegant and quite striking.
The walls in the exhibition are dominated by two large screens that, according to the museum "were intended to be displayed on the floor only partly unfolded, [but] Isabella Gardner hung her screens flat on the wall like murals." One of the screens, entitled "Six-Panel Folding Screen: Scenes from the Tale of Genji" (1677) is located above several of Gardner's travel albums. The screen displays multiple scenes with figures dressed in beautifully rendered clothing and surrounded by seemingly gold-filled clouds. And, in Gardner's typical fashion, her decision to hang the piece on the wall allows viewers to more fully appreciate the screen's intricacy and composition.
"Journeys East: Isabella Stewart Gardner and Asia" provides visitors with an excellent, concentrated opportunity to view some of the wonderful objects of Asian art that Gardner assembled during her lifetime. Beyond showcasing great art, the exhibition -- particularly with its travel albums -- vividly demonstrates the profound effect that travel can have on an individual.
