Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is a major U.S. art museum founded in 1870 and known for a broad permanent collection that spans ancient to contemporary art. It houses significant holdings in American art, European painting, Asian art and decorative arts.

The Art of the Americas galleries, strong European and Impressionist paintings, and comprehensive Asian collections that fill multiple wings and galleries. Temporary exhibitions and rotating displays complement the permanent holdings and can require separate timed tickets for special shows.

The museum was established in the late 19th century and has expanded its buildings and galleries several times to accommodate a growing collection and visitor needs. Its development reflects Boston’s role as a cultural centre and the accumulation of major donated collections.

The museum campus sits in the Fenway district of Boston, adjacent to other institutions and parkland, with good access by public transportation and nearby parking.

• Founding and collection size: Founded in 1870, the museum's collection has grown into one of the largest art holdings in the United States, spanning ancient to contemporary art across many regions.
• Location and access: Located in Boston's Fenway neighborhood, the museum is easily reached by public transit and is adjacent to other cultural institutions in the area.

What to See #

• Art of the Americas Wing: Large dedicated wing housing American art collections from colonial through contemporary periods, including paintings, decorative arts and sculpture.
• Asian art collections: Extensive holdings of Asian art including Chinese, Japanese and Korean works in multiple galleries that span ancient to modern periods.
• European painting galleries: European painting galleries that include Impressionist and post-Impressionist works as part of a broad international collection.