Boston Photo Gallery - Central Library

Boston Public Library's current building was built between 1888 and 1895 in the newly-created Back Bay district. Designed by Charles F. McKim, it is an architectural masterpiece inspired by an Italian Renaissance palace. The Grand Staircase uses yellow Siena marble with a pair of unpolished lions that were funded by 2 Civil War volunteer infantries' surviving members. They were kept unpolished on purpose to showcase the raw carved marble's effect. Today, visitors rub their tails for good luck. At the top of the stairs, you can see the murals painted by Pierre Puvis de Chavannes. This is his only work outside of France, with themes around philosophy, astronomy, history, chemistry, physics, pastoral poetry, dramatic poetry, and epic poetry. Bates Hall is the main reading room. Named after the first major benefactor upon the library's founding in 1852, he imposed conditions that the library provide space for at least 150 patrons and be "free to all". There are adjacent rooms with nice architectural and artistic details. Further upstairs, the Sargent Gallery is named after the artist who spent 29 years decorating this hall between 1890 and 1919. The theme incorporates early Egyptian and Assyrian beliefs, Judaism, and Christianity. However, he was not able to finish his last work as he passed away in 1925, and that panel remains blank. The Courtyard design was inspired by the Palazzo della Cancelleria in Rome with a mix of covered arcade, open plaza, pool, and fountain. The library also hosts special exhibitions, including this one on maps that show Boston's change over the years.