The Barnes Foundation houses one of the greatest collections of Impressionist and Postimpressionist artworks. RELATED LINKS Philadelphia City Guide

The Barnes Foundation, a small museum tucked away in the quiet Philadelphia suburb of Merion, houses one of the world's most important private art collections. The Barnes includes French Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and early Modern paintings. Anywhere else, art fans would be queuing up by the hundreds to view such a remarkable gathering of great works, but due to restrictions imposed by the local township, the Barnes Foundation gallery is open just three days a week by reservation only to a limited number of lucky visitors.

Dr. Albert C. Barnes, a Philadelphia physician who amassed a fortune in the pharmaceutical industry during the early part of the 20th century, established the Barnes Foundation in 1922 to "promote the advancement of education and the appreciation of the fine arts" and the "encouragement of arboriculture and forestry." By the time he died in 1951, the foundation had acquired paintings by the likes of Van Gogh, Matisse, Renoir, Cezanne and Picasso, along with thousands of other works from Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.

While the collection itself is worth billions, the foundation is chronically short of cash. There are plans to move the gallery to downtown Philadelphia so ticket revenues could offset day-to-day operating expenses. For the time being, however, access to the Barnes Foundation remains limited, and visitors are advised to make reservations 30 to 45 days in advance by phone, fax or e-mail. See www.barnesfoundation.org for details.