wadsworth atheneum

This was an enjoyable place to visit before we took the boys to the Science Center. There is quite a mix of art, so one can find pieces of interest wherever one's tastes lie. The layout is fine, but the maps don't really provide much information. Not excessively kid-friendly, although there was a Coney Island exhibit that was engaging. The price was not excessive...$20 for a family of four...so price/performance was good.

It has been a couple years since my last visit. At that time the overall feel of the galleries was tired. Art displayed in the old way....The new installation of the contemporary galleries is fresh and inviting with a nice mix of what contemporary is. The Coney Island special exhibit was great. A thought provoking look at an American icon from the start to it's current incarnation. Mixed media is throughout the exhibit so you are not bored with just looking at art on a wall. A nook for creating your own art and a reading area are a nice touch for both kids and adults. Free tours are offered and were very engaging.The Café is limited but reasonably priced compared to most art museum fare.Free street parking on weekends and free lockers make for a reasonable priced day trip.Can't wait to see the rest of the multi year renovations when we get to see historic works of art newly displayed in fresh new ways. One small item that needs to be looked at is the lack of small seating areas when one can talk or look through a brochure or get their bearings. Seating currently in the middle of a gallery which is not the most welcoming area to talk with a friend. Overall a gem that is worth a visit.

Although not living far away, I had not been to the Atheneum in many years. I was not greatly impressed with the first two floors. The collection of local contemporary artists was hideous—lots of ugly and gimmicky pieces. The works of famous European artists (such as Picasso, Monet, and others) all seemed to come from the bottom of their barrels; I did not see anything approaching a masterpiece. In one room the viewing of the paintings on the wall was obstructed by tables and chairs put there for a tour group to have lunch. The third floor was better. It included a room full of nice 19th century American landscapes by Bierstadt, Cole, and others, and a gallery of later American paintings together with some fine pieces of early and later American furniture. The special exhibition on art inspired by Coney Island evoked mixed feelings: Should one laugh or cry over the vulgarity of it all? At least it was an unusual theme that inspired some ashcan painters and cartoonists. On the whole, this is not a bad museum, but it makes a somewhat provincial impression, compared for example to the art museum in Worcester, MA, not to speak of superb private collections like the Clark Institute in Williamstown, MA.

We stopped here as a family to get out and stretch and walk on a long winter trip. We only had about an hour for the visit. We did not make it to the feature exhibit, we only made it to the standard collection on the 1st floor. FANTASTIC. There are some real gems. Also, we got some advice from security guards on don't miss items and it was well worth it. If the opportunity to visit again we won't miss it

This was, for me, a surprising little gem. It was a very beautiful art museum, and I could easily have spent several hours here, wandering about and admiring the works of art. There are several pieces by the Hudson River School, and paintings of the area, New England, Upstate New York, etc...

A great collection and just the right size. Not too much to be overwhelmed and full of surprises. Highlights were 2 rooms of Hudson River School paintings, a room of French Impressionist works, and an eclectic assortment of post WWII art. Will need repeat visits...even my 14 year old said so. Totally enjoyed the 1:00 Highlights tour with Carol. Her love and knowledge of art shone through her tour.

This museum is a lot bigger than i thought I was. They also have all different kinds of art, modern, american, european. Mostly oil paintings. Some great local pieces of ct, hudson valley, niagara falls. I only had 30 minutes to spend there before it closed, but that was enough time to go see just about everything at a very quick pace. Probably 1-2 hours would be better. Not sure of the admission cost, i went on a day free for hartford residents.

Loved this museum - both inside and out! Very nice gift shop as well at the entrance where you can shop without having to pay the entry fee. Great collection of Hudson River Painters - that was my favourite part and felt like you had visited that area without having left the building.

This amazing museum is currently undergoing reconstruction. It will probably be great when it reopens (spring 2015). Unfortunately, many of the pieces for which the museum is known weren't on display, thus requiring a return trip. The docent-led tour was also canceled the day I visited the museum. It's too bad that the museum still charged the same price for admission, even though their best pieces were not on display.

Did not at all expect to see what we did. 3 floors, and a beautiful, old building. Had a light lunch in the cafe which was very good and reasonable. I am not an expert, but I found this museum interesting in that they have seemingly unrelated pieces displayed together. It clearly works. The third floor alone could take a day. The seemed to have everything I love.....several pieces by Wyeth, a couple of Monets, an absolutely gorgeous Renoir, and an incredible display of Hudson River School painters (Cole and Church). Add to that Calder mobiles, Frank Lloyd Wright furniture, Stickley furniture, and even one of my favorite Norman Rockwells for good measure. Downstairs there is a more modern gallery, but unfortunately there are no notes up for many of these pieces. We had to look at a postcard in the gift shop to confirm that what we thought was a Jackson Pollack really was. Top it all off with a top notch gift shop where you can take home postcards, note cards or prints of your favorites. A collection worthy of a much larger city!

There is so much to say about the Atheneum it would take many paragraphs on each room.I would like to emphasize the feeling one gets from the experience there. It is uplifting.How can it be so serious and so joyful an adventure, at the same time, to walk slowly through the spaces and absorb what you experience? The quality of the works and the presentation is part of the answer. But just as much it is the mystery of art and the human creation it comes from, how it is done, that inspires. And the Atheneum is bursting with this quality. It make you feel seriously moved.

The history here is very interesting. The Morgan family is from Hartford and JP spent the end of his life collecting the art of Europe. When he died he left half of his collection to the Met and half to the Wadsworth. While it is not the Met it is a great medium sized museum with a great facility and high quality collections. Worth a try especially if you did not know that such a gem existed in central connecticut.

It was surprising to me to find an art museum of this caliber in Hartford Connecticut. I am at fault, since I have found other attractions and great restaurants there as well. It is an impressive building with an impressive collection of art. Mostly American art and even furniture, the museum also has European pieces, including Impressionist paintings. Part of the place was under construction, which made navigation more challenging. If you have no reason to be there now and can go another time, I suggest that you wait for the renovation to be completed.

The art is well displayed and wonderful curator. I liked the display of art works and selections... Take in the Christmas trees... They are to die for..

The Atheneum is currently being renovated but the it's still worth going. I must say if you are an out of town traveler you will not fell like you recived your full dollars worth. There are many pieces that are from Renaissance era to modern day which will be enjoyable. Some rooms you may feel like sitting in and admiring a painting for ever. The Atheneum looks small but when up and fully running it is packed with lots of gems. And just as a side note every second Saturday is free admission for all visitors.