Taft Museum of Art facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Baum-Taft House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Taft Museum of Art in 2004
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | Cincinnati, Ohio |
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| Built | 1820 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001470 |
| Added to NRHP | January 29, 1973 |
The Taft Museum of Art is a special place in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is a museum filled with beautiful fine art collections. The museum is located inside a historic house at 316 Pike Street. This house is about 200 years old. It is the oldest wooden house in downtown Cincinnati. Many important people lived here over the years. These residents included Martin Baum, Nicholas Longworth, and the Taft family. The house is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a very important historical building.
Contents
History of the House
Early Residents and Famous Murals
The Taft house was built around 1820 for a man named Martin Baum. Later, it became the home of Nicholas Longworth. He was a well-known art lover and gardener. While Longworth lived there, a famous artist named Robert S. Duncanson painted amazing murals. These murals are large landscape paintings. Duncanson painted them directly onto the walls between 1851 and 1852.
These eight murals are very special. They are considered the most important domestic murals painted in the U.S. before the Civil War. Duncanson himself was a pioneering artist. He was one of the first African-American landscape painters to become famous around the world. The house was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1976 because of these incredible murals.
The Taft Family's Legacy
After Nicholas Longworth, David Sinton bought the house. David Sinton was the father of Anna Sinton Taft. Anna later married Charles Phelps Taft. Charles was the half-brother of President William Howard Taft. Anna and Charles Taft lived in the house from 1873 until they passed away.
The Tafts loved collecting art. They gathered a huge collection of paintings, porcelains, and other beautiful items. In 1908, William Howard Taft accepted his nomination to become president from the front porch of this very house. This added to its importance in American history.
In 1927, the Tafts decided to give their home and their entire art collection to the people of Cincinnati. They wanted everyone to be able to enjoy the art. The Taft Museum of Art officially opened its doors to the public on November 29, 1932.
Art Collection Highlights
The Taft Museum of Art has a wonderful collection of art. You can see European paintings by old masters. These include artists like Rembrandt van Rijn, Frans Hals, and J. M. W. Turner. There are also 19th-century American paintings. The famous Duncanson murals are a major part of the collection.
Inside the historic house, you will also find other treasures. These include beautiful Chinese porcelains. There are also European decorative arts, Limoges enamels, old watches, sculptures, and antique furniture.
Some of the most famous artworks include:
- Joaquin Sorolla, Portrait of Mr. Taft, President of the United States, 1909.
- Frank Duveneck, The Cobbler's Apprentice, 1877.
- Henry Farny, Song of the Talking Wire, 1904.
- Rembrandt van Rijn, Portrait of a Man Rising from His Chair, 1633.
- J. M. W. Turner, Europa and the Bull, around 1840–50.
- James Abbott McNeill Whistler, At the Piano, 1858–59.
- An old sculpture from the 13th century, Virgin and Child.
- Frans Hals, Portrait of Seated Man Holding Hat.
- A large collection of Limoges enamel paintings.
The museum closed for a big renovation and expansion. It reopened in May 2004. Now it has a museum shop and a cafe. There is also a space called Luther Hall for lectures and performances.
See also
In Spanish: Museo Taft para niños
