A patron with exquisite taste and a zest for life, Isabella Stewart Gardner traveled the globe for over three decades, assembling piece by piece one of the world’s most remarkable art collections. Her interests ranged from Rembrandt, Titian, Sargent, Whistler, and Matisse to architectural antiquities, medieval stained glass windows, tapestries, painted leather “wallpaper” and rare books. In 1903, the “palace” she built as a museum to house her collection was opened to the public. She personally directed the installation of the entire collection. It remains on permanent display exactly as she willed it, creating complex conservation challenges. Though she died in 1924, her vision that art should be a transforming experience is still the guiding principle of the museum.