April Spotlight Tour: Firestorm! Outrage! Dr. Barnes’s Scandalous 1923 Exhibition
Thursday–Monday, 1pm
Chaim Soutine. Red Church (detail), c. 1919. BF953. © 2023 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris
Weekdays: $35; weekends: $45; members free
About the Tour
Each month, Spotlight Tours focus on a different artist or theme, allowing for a deeper dive into specific areas of the collection.
One hundred years ago, in April 1923, Dr. Barnes unveiled his rich collection of modern European art to the American public. He arranged an exhibition of 75 newly acquired paintings and sculptures at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. The show was critically panned and sparked a veritable firestorm between Dr. Barnes and the aesthetically conservative Philadelphia press. On this tour, you'll see which works remain in the collection today and learn more about their stormy public reception a century ago.
Includes access to the collection before and after the tour.
Go Further
Highlights Tour
This one-hour tour is perfect for first-time visitors. Explore highlights of the collection and learn the history of the Barnes.
Private Collection Tours
Explore highlights of the collection and learn the history of the Barnes. This tour is a private one-hour experience for you and up to seven guests.
Barnes in Bloom
Enjoy special events and tours this March that celebrate springtime and the Philadelphia Flower Show.