The Taft Museum of Art in Cincinnati features an extensive art collection of European decorative arts, European and American master paintings, including major works by Turner, Goya, Rembrandt, Hals, and Ingres, and several beautiful Chinese porcelains.
Built in 1820, the Taft is housed in the Baum-Longworth-Sinton-Taft House, which is a National Historical Landmark and regarded as one of the finest examples of Federal architecture in the Palladian style in the United States. Located on Pike Street, the Taft Museum of Art underwent a major renovation in 2004 and now features the Fifth Third Gallery for special exhibitions, the Luther Hall performance/lecture facility, the Dater Education Room, a museum store, café and parking garage.
The Taft Museum of Art’s collections includes European old master paintings, with works by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, Thomas Gainsborough, Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Frans Hals and Adriaen van Ostade, among other.
Other works in the collection also include 19th-century American paintings and famous murals by Robert Duncanson, European decorative arts, Chinese porcelains, Limoges enamels, sculptures, watches, and furniture. Highlights in the collection include Rembrandt’s Portrait of a Man Rising from his Chair, 1633, Madonna nursing the Child with Saints by Olivuccio di Ciccarello, Henry Farny’s, Song of the Talking Wire, 1904, and Portrait of Seated Man Holding Hat by Frans Hals. Other significant works include Frank Duveneck’s The Cobbler’s Apprentice, 1877, Turner’s Europa and the Bull, ca.1840-50, and James Abbott McNeill Whistler’s At the Piano, 1858-59, and a notable collection of Limoges enamel paintings.
The Taft Museum of Art offers a range of educational programs, community-based workshops, and classes for both students and art-lovers alike with the aim of educating learners about the importance of art and the role it plays in society today. Programs include Artists Reaching Classrooms, Brownie and Girl Scout Programs, Memories in the Museum, and Poems Inspired by Art.
Artists Reaching Classrooms (ARC) aims to immerse high school art students into Cincinnati’s visual arts community and expose them to careers in the art. The program offers students with a significant interest a range of art-related topics and experiences, such as interaction with professional artists, visits to artists’ studios, and exploration of the Taft Museum of Art as a resource for artists. The program also includes an examination of the relationship between art, artists, and society, an assessment of their own art in comparison to working artists’ methods and techniques, and participation in a professionally organized art exhibition.
Memories in the Museum is designed for visitors with memory loss and their guests and includes a museum tour of an exhibition, a chance to observe and engage in conversation about artwork, an opportunity to participate in making art, and light refreshments.
The Taft Museum of Art presents a wealth of special events throughout the year from lectures, music concerts, gallery talks, special exhibitions and private parties. Music events include a variety of free concerts throughout the year, including the Fall Jazz Series, the Chamber Music Series, and Saturday
Sounds. Third Sunday Fundays are held on select third Sundays and include fantastic art, and hands-on fun, and family-friendly performances.
The Taft Museum of Art is located at 316 Pike Street in Cincinnati and is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm and entrance on Sundays is free. The Taft offers free on-site parking for those visiting the Museum, the Museum shop, and the café for lunch. The Lindner Family Café is open for lunch Tuesday through Sunday and serves a variety of light meals, snacks, and drinks.
Visitors to the Taft Museum of Art can enjoy self-guided or docent-guided tours of Museum and the history of the house, as well as school group tours, special group dining and lecture options. The Museum is available to be hired for special occasions, including corporate events, company galas, fund-raising dinners, private parties, wedding receptions, and rehearsal dinners.
316 Pike Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, Phone: 513-241-0343