Visionary Collectors: American Women and the Art They Championed

Through four exclusive workshops offered for the Alliance Française of Philadelphia, this lecture series explores the visionary American women who built extraordinary art collections—Isabella Stewart Gardner’s Venetianinspired masterpiece, Gertrude Stein’s avant-garde Parisian salon, Marjorie Merriweather Post’s opulent treasures, and Peggy Guggenheim’s daring embrace of modernism. Each lecture will be delivered in English, followed by a discussion in French, offering participants the opportunity to engage with the material while practicing their language skills with native speaker and art historian Tosca Ruggieri

Isabella Stewart Gardner: The Collector Who Brought Venice to Boston

Discover the fascinating life and legacy of Isabella Stewart Gardner, one of America’s most dynamic art patrons of the Gilded Age. Known for her bold spirit and love of adventure, Isabella’s passion for travel and art led her to create one of the country’s most renowned collections.

Journey through her early life in New York, her extraordinary travels with her husband Jack across Europe, Southeast Asia, China, and the Middle East, and her transformation into a pioneering collector and supporter of the arts.

Explore how she built Fenway Court, her Venetian-style palazzo in Boston, as both a home and a museum, showcasing masterpieces by Italian Old Masters and global treasures. We’ll also look at her role as a benefactor who nurtured the careers of artists, writers, and musicians, establishing her influence far beyond her collection.

This lecture will also highlight significant works from the museum and delve into the infamous 1990 heist that stole priceless pieces still missing today.

Join us for a compelling look at Isabella Stewart Gardner, a woman whose adventurous spirit and dedication to art have left an enduring mark on American culture.

Tosca Ruggieri, art historian and museum educator was raised between France & Italy. Fueled by a lifelong love for art, Tosca established Art with Tosca in 2021 after moving to Washington D.C. Tosca holds degrees from EPHE-Sorbonne, Paris and King’s College London. Prior to founding Art with Tosca, Tosca enriched her experience by working for a prominent art collector in Paris and in London art galleries. Now, Tosca shares her passion on a wider scale through a series of online lectures. Based in Washington D.C., Tosca also curates captivating tours of the D.C. museums, in particular at the National Gallery of Art, guiding guests through a treasure trove of masterpieces, spanning the Italian Renaissance to modern times. Tosca's mission is to make art a more approachable through engaging experiences. Whether you're joining from the comfort of your home through lectures and virtual events or exploring museums halls in person, Tosca offers journeys through centuries of artistic expression

*** NEXT SESSION ***

May 27 : Gertrude Stein: The Art of Cultivating Creativity

*** WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ***

Time : 6:30 PM

Duration : 1 hour 

Format : 45-50 min Lecture in English, followed by 10-15 min Q&A in French (optional)

Location : Online (Zoom)  - Opportunity for those who attended or registered to receive the replay

Language : English, French  

Date :  Tuesday, May 20th, 2025

Fee : $12 for AF Members / $15 for non AF Members

*** REGISTRATION ***

Register by filling the form below and we will send you a link 12-24 hour before the event to join the meeting with the lecturer and

the other participants.

*** NOT A MEMBER YET ? ***

Create your membership and join the AF members team !