Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Art museum and school in Center City, Philadelphia, United States.
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is an art museum and school in Center City Philadelphia that occupies two buildings. The collections span from the early 19th century to the present and include paintings, sculptures, and works on paper.
Charles Willson Peale and William Rush founded the institution in 1805 as the first art museum and art school in the United States. The main building designed by Frank Furness was built between 1871 and 1876 and combines Second Empire elements with Renaissance Revival.
The museum regularly presents exhibitions that combine historical American art with contemporary works, maintaining educational programs focused on traditional artistic techniques.
The galleries are spread across both buildings and connected by an underground passage. A visit typically takes between one and two hours depending on interest in the rotating exhibitions.
The facade of the Furness-Hewitt building features a mix of patterned brick, colored sandstone, and ornamental metalwork. The architecture is considered one of the most distinctive examples of Second Empire style in Philadelphia.
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