Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Black & White Wednesdays ~ Shadows and Light


On January 1, 1903, Isabella Stewart Gardner opened her {then} home to the public. Her home, built around this stunning courtyard, was her love child. A museum for all the many exquisite pieces of art, letters, literature and furnishings that she collected from around the world. The collection was hers ~ chosen by her, purchased by her and displayed as only she could present her treasures. A New York society magazine described her as, "the brightest, breeziest woman in Boston...the idol of the men and the envy of the women." Her personality lives on in this amazing place. She was the woman who served donuts and champagne on that January evening for her grand opening. The one who wore a head band to a Boston Symphony performance that said, "Oh you Red Sox" ... in red letters, of course! To this day, if you wear Red Sox gear to the museum you enter at a reduced rate. And if you're name's Isabella...well, you get in for free!

I love visiting this place ~ I'm immediately transported back to another time. I'm immersed in the mind and heart of a woman who lived fully and worked to see a daring dream fulfilled. These are a few of the photos I took of the courtyard on a very sunny day! I loved the games the light and shadows were playing all afternoon. Enjoy!











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24 comments:

  1. I am loving all the light and shadows inn your images!

    [I'm wondering if this is the same place that Tamar (Randomosity) posted about...]

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  2. That does seem like a great place tot take photos. I agree that the light and shadows make great black and whites.

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  3. Great and special photos! Looks perfect in b&w!

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  4. what an awesome place to visit! Are those pungas aka tree ferns? we have them growing everywhere here in NZ.

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  5. Looks really interesting and she sounds absolutely fascinating!

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  6. She was simply an amazing woman - I just love how you edited these in black and white!

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  7. Ah, so nice and shadowy. Tom The Backroads Traveller

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  8. This is an awesome place for photos and the black and white makes it much more enticing.

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  9. she sounds like an amazing woman. I love the play of sunlight and shadow in your pics and the B&W suits it perfectly.
    Happy travels. I am joining you today over at COmmunal Global.

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  10. I remember visiting this place many, many years ago but I had forgotten how beautiful it is!

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  11. These are beautiful in BW. Brings on the drama of the shadows and light.

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  12. The perspective of the last shot is my favorite!

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  13. Impressive and succsessful photos, greast shadow and lights in B/W !
    ♥ly greetings from Germany

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  14. Beautiful! What a cool place, and the b&w detail you caught is amazing!

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  15. What a grand location. I love reading or hearing of strong women in history; women who stood their ground and didn't give a fiddle what society or others thought. Love the discount features.

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  16. This is such a romantic place and your bw impressions shows the whole magic of it!! Thanks for sharing your gorgeous images with us.

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  17. Thank you for the bit of history about this place. It is a beautiful building.

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  18. She sounds like my kinda' woman, yours too!! The building is magnificent and your images are as well!! I just adore all the shadows!!

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  19. Excellent compositions and a fun story.

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  20. What a beautiful courtyard! Always fascinating to see the collections of another, to see what inspired and moved them. I love the shadow play you captured, especially on the second and third images...

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  21. Isabella sounds a lot of fun, I like the way the museum reflects this with its entrance tickets. Wouldn't you just love to collect exquisite pieces of art knowing that they would be kept together for future generations to enjoy!
    Thank you for hosting.
    Wren x

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  22. I love that you and Tamar visited the same place. What a magnificent residence. Can you imagine being so wealthy you could own that? WOW!

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