This article is written jointly by Julie Dee Suman, Sarita Simmons, and Michele Baker.

Uncover art treasures at The Clark Art Institute, where history, beauty, and tranquility await travelers in western Massachusetts.

The afternoon we went to The Clark in western Massachusetts was a beautiful fall day in the Berkshires. Three women—travel and food writers—had met for a long weekend chock full of educational workshops, local attractions, wine excursions, and restaurants. On our way back to Albany and the airport, we decided on one final, unscheduled stop: a few hours at The Clark Art Institute. Later, thoroughly inspired by the setting and the collection, the three of us decided to write a collaborative article on our shared experiences.

Reflecting pool at the Clark Art Institute. Photo by Alexander Farnsworth via iStock by Getty Images

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First Impressions at The Clark Art Institute

The grounds and campus of The Clark Art Institute in Massachusetts are serene and beautiful; nature, art, and architecture appear to have been seamlessly blended against a backdrop of gently rolling hills dotted with ancient, canopied trees and meandering walking trails.

Driving along the winding entry road, we discovered that the carefully landscaped grounds had been thoughtfully designed to give a sense of calm reminiscent of some of the renowned paintings within the vast collection.

“Painting flowers rests by brain….” are thoughts from Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Photo by Julie Dee Suman

An Astonishing Art Collection

We were excited to visit this beautiful museum, especially because we had the opportunity to see a Botticelli on US soil. The three of us have been to art museums in a dozen countries across all seven continents. The Clark’s collection compared favorably with any of those.

This small but luxurious art museum tucked away in the foothills of the Berkshires feels like a younger sister to the grand dame, The Met, in New York City. Paintings and sculptures are bathed in natural light from skylights and given enough room to allow focusing on one at a time without being crowded.

Bust of the Emperor Antoninus Pius by Nicolas Cordier. Photo by Sarita Simmons

Botticelli and Beyond

The Clark features works by artists such as Remington, Renoir, Monet, William Adolphe Bouguereau, Rembrandt van Rijn, Degas, Sir Thomas Lawrence, Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta, and Winslow Homer, as well as an extensive collection of sculptures, ceramics, and decorative arts.

One highlight was a Botticelli tondo entitled Virgin and Child with Saint John the Baptist (c. 1490), done in tempera, oil, and gold on a panel. Botticelli is said to have used a technique in his paintings called “infusion” to permeate the canvas and allow the viewer to experience the desired emotion.

Note: For an excellent example of the infusion technique, compare Botticelli’s Cestello Annunciation and Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation, both in Florence’s Uffizi Gallery. While the da Vinci is technically marvelous, it is a work for thinkers; the Botticelli painting is a devotional masterwork of feeling.

Virgin Mary and Child with Saint John the Baptist. Photo by Michele Baker

An Intimate Setting

Divided by era, paintings progress chronologically through the parquet-floored salons. Early Christian art is followed by Monet, Manet, Pissaro, Renoir, Rembrandt, and Degas. The bronze statue The Little Dancer by Degas occupies its own small alcove. In this quiet, rural setting, patrons are allowed to get much closer to the art than in other, larger museums, enhancing and creating an experience that can only be called intimate.

The Clark also contains a small but stunning collection of sterling silver candlesticks, flatware, and serving pieces.

Degas’ magnificent bronze statue: Little Dancer. Photo by Michele Baker

R. Sterling Clark: Aristocrat, Heir, and World Traveler

How did this marvelous collection evolve? How did “The Clark”—as art devotees affectionately call it —come to be built in northwestern Massachusetts near the borders of New York and Vermont? Is it coincidental that it is set against a scenic pastoral landscape reminiscent of some of the paintings in its collection?

The Clark Art Institute in Massachusetts. Photo by Alexander Farnsworth via iStock by Getty Images

It began as an aristocratic young man’s collection during the early 20th century and evolved into a vast, elegant vision that has culminated in the globally influential institution it is today.

Robert Sterling Clark, an heir to the Singer Sewing Machine fortune, was born in New York. He graduated from Yale University in 1899 with a degree in engineering, after which he served honorably in the Army in the Philippines and China.

Sterling Clark – founder of The Clark Art Institute. Photo courtesy of The Clark Art Institute

Collecting in Paris

Upon his honorable discharge, he settled in Paris in 1910. Clark had grown up with a keen interest in art and the skill of collecting, which his parents had cultivated. Paris has a rich history of renowned artists, making it the perfect choice for a young collector. Two years later, he purchased Portrait of a Man by Hans Memling. This painting, one of the highlights of his collection, reflects his interest in Old Master works. In 1914, Clark purchased Woodland Landscape with a Farm by Théodore Rousseau. This acquisition marked another stage in the early development of his art collection, particularly those by the Barbizon School.

In 1922, he purchased his first Impressionist painting, Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s Girl Crocheting. This acquisition marked a significant step as he began focusing more on Impressionist works, which would become a cornerstone of his celebrated art collection.

Renoir’s Girl Crocheting. Photo by Michele Baker

Francine Clary, Actress and Fellow Art Lover

In Paris, Clark also met a young actress, Francine Clary, whom he married in 1919. They were a perfect match, as she shared his passion for the arts. Together, they continued to amass an expansive collection. He was known to refer to her as his “touchstone in judging paintings.”

Towards the end of their lives, they established their collection as a museum near the campus of Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. A charter for the museum was signed in 1950, construction began in 1952, and the museum opened to the public in 1955.

The Clark Art Institute reflects Sterling and Francine Clark’s dedication to quality and timeless elegance. The buildings are known for their unobtrusive sophistication: glass, marble, stone, and wood, all carefully designed to harmonize with the natural beauty of the Berkshires.

The Clark is one of the few global institutions with a dual mission as an art museum and a research and higher education center. It is dedicated to advancing and extending the public’s understanding of art.

Sterling and Francine Clark. Photo courtesy of The Clark Art Institute

Winding Nature Trails Lead to Sanctuary

While many visit The Clark to experience the Old Masters, a series of trails winds through the 140-acre campus. Well-marked footpaths wind through meadows and wooded trails. Golden fall colors make for a spectacular journey.

The trails coalesce at the Lunder Center at Stone Hill. Designed by Tadao Ando, the Center serves as a sanctuary space in the forest and houses two galleries and a seasonal cafe. The journey here offers views of the Taconic Range, the Green Mountains, and Mount Greylock.

Art Outdoors at Clark Art

A whimsical fence designed by Analia Saban divides the seasonal cow pasture from the main buildings. A humorous sign, Teaching a Cow How to Draw, illustrates the rule of thirds, the golden ratio, and the two-point perspective.

Walk further, and you’ll observe Thomas Schütte’s Crystal. The zinc-coated copper structure resembles a crystal scaled to architectural portions. You can walk through the structure as it frames the mountain views.

Reflections at The Clark Art Institute

An expansive reflecting pool sparkled through the large glass panes in the main building and beckoned us outside to the Fernandez Terrace. The three-tiered reflecting pool is both a serene destination and a functional water management system. Designed by landscape architect Reed Hilderbrand, the system reduces Clark’s potable water consumption by 50%.

The Reflecting Pool invites you to enjoy nature at The Clark. Photo by Julie Dee Suman

We were tempted to soak in the sun and relax in the Adirondack chairs lining the reflecting pool, the crimson and ochre autumn leaves fluttering down from the abundant trees. Other museum guests gathered at the scattered dining tables to share their meals from The Clark’s onsite Café 7.

After a simple meal of soup and salad overlooking the reflection pond, we reconvened at our car for the short drive to Albany. We all agreed that this had been our favorite part of the writers’ retreat weekend. Our hearts were nourished by great art, our bellies were full, and our souls were full of joy. We traversed the winding driveway out to Highway 2, and from there, we went home again.

When You Visit The Clark

The Clark Art Institute is 40 miles east of Albany, off Highway 7 (also called Highway 2) at 225 South Street in Williamstown. Once on site, there is ample, free parking. All buildings and public areas are handicapped accessible, and wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. We invite you to explore Wander With Wonder for more of our favorite museums. We also have recommendations for more to see in Massachusetts.

Have you discovered an unexpected treasure by taking an unplanned detour during your travels? We’d love to hear about what you found in the comments below. 

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