The Barnes Collection

The world of private art collection has always been as glamorous as it has been controversial. In 2012, Albert C. Barnes’s extensive private collection was made available to the public the first time, granting the public access to more than three thousand pieces by artists including Matisse, Cezanne, Renoir, and Picasso.

The Barnes Collection follows Albert C. Barnes in his rise from everyday working man to renowned art collector and controversial figure. The film also follows the efforts of art historians, designers, and construction experts as they work to create a place where the Barnes collection can be displayed to the public.

As The Barnes Collection traces both sides of the eponymous collection’s history and status, it provides a glimpse into the exclusive world of collection and the art lovers who work to bring each piece to the public in direct opposition to Barnes’s last will.