In 1883 the Telfair mansion was enlarged with the addition of the Sculpture Gallery and Rotunda. The formal opening in 1886 of the Telfair Mansion and Art Museum was attended by many dignitaries, including Jefferson Davis, former President of the Confederacy.
The Collection. The Telfair's permanent collection of paintings, prints, sculpture, and decorative arts contains glowing examples of American impressionism, including major paintings by Childe Hassam, Frederick Frieseke and Gari Melchers. Ash Can Realists' paintings filled with strong colors and bravura brush strokes are superbly represented at the Telfair, with works by Robert Henri, George Bellows and George Luks. Don't miss one of Bellows' most important winter landscapes, Snow Capped River, with its cool luminous hues of purple and blue.
Paintings by European artists are an integral part of the collection. In the Telfair's spacious painting Rotunda, you can marvel at the dramatic, billboard-size Black Prince of Crécy, a painting by Julian Story that depicts a pivotal 14th century battle.
The Telfair was once renowned for it impressive collection of classical sculpture casts from the Vatican, Louvre and other Roman collections used as teaching tools for 19th century art classes. Among those still on view is the spectacular Greek sculpture Laocoon and His Sons, shown in their death struggle with giant serpents. In the grand entry hallway, you also can see a cast of the beautiful Parthenon frieze honoring the Goddess Athena.
Regency Architecture and Period Rooms. Architect William Jay's classical Regency design for the exterior is punctuated by a rectangular porch surmounted by a semicircular window. The four Corinthian columns have unusual coadestone capitals. The interior places are epitomized by the Octagon and Dining Rooms, restored to their original elegance. These period rooms provide a splendid setting for the Museum's decorative arts collection, including American and European objects from 1790-1840. The core of this collection is the Telfair family legacy, including a rare Philadelphia suite of maple furniture, a secretary-bookcase commissioned from Duncan Phyfe of New York and a dining table ordered from Thomas Cook of Philadelphia.
Temporary Exhibitions and Programs. A dynamic extension of the art experiences offered by the Telfair are special exhibitions from the collection and exciting traveling shows. The Museum also offers a variety of stimulating programs for all ages, including hands-on youth activities in the Education Gallery, Evening Lectures, guided tours and Family Sundays.
HOURS: Tuesday through Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM, Sunday 2 to 5 PM.
ADMISSION: $
DIRECTIONS: The House faces Telfair Square between State and York Streets.