The Wadsworth Museum Features an Unmatched, World-Renowned Collection of Art

Daniel Wadsworth, founder of The Wadsworth (formerly the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art), was just a boy when the American Revolution began. His father, Jeremiah Wadsworth, was the provisioner for the Continental Army and became the provisioner for the French Army as well. 

After the Revolution, Daniel traveled across England and France and developed a passion for art, architecture and gardening. 

“He wanted to create an American school for the new democracy his father’s generation had brought into being,” said Matthew Hargraves, Director of The Wadsworth. “He decided the best way to do that was to encourage living artists, who were Americans. He was a great patriot of the Hudson River School.” 

The Hudson River School was a mid-19th century movement led by landscape painters, most notably Thomas Cole, whose works now appear at The Wadsworth.  

According to Hargraves, Daniel founded The Wadsworth in 1842 with the goal of inspiring artists by showing them great art.   

“Its purpose still is to inspire people after their visit, whether they go on to become great artists or writers or good politicians, etc.” Hargraves added. 

The Wadsworth is just a few minute walk from the Connecticut Convention Center, which will soon host the 2026 ICC Leadership Week + Hearings (April 18–24). 

A Collection That’s Always in Demand  

The Wadsworth collection of art has grown tremendously since its inception more than 180 years ago. Visitors can peruse collections of early Italian Baroque paintings and surrealist paintings, as well as contemporary art. 

Arthur Everett “Chick” Austin Jr., who served as director of The Wadsworth during the 1920s and 1930s, is credited with bringing modernism to the United States.   

“He was an incredible visionary,” said Hargraves. “We have been this great visionary museum since that time, and we continue that legacy to the present day.”  

The Wadsworth contains the earliest Caravaggio in North America, as well as the work of Salvador Dali and Frederic Church.  

“There’s a Dali here that everyone will recognize,” Hargraves added. “Often visitors who come will say, ‘Is that the real thing? Is it a poster?’ No, it’s not a poster, it’s the real painting you’ve seen reproduced in every book you’ve ever read about art! People travel from all over the world to come to Hartford and see this world-class collection.” 

The Wadsworth’s collections are in high demand. Hargraves said that the museum is “constantly flooded” with requests from other museums asking to borrow something. While some items have been shared, Hargraves said it is his job to make sure the collections stay where they belong and are not always traveling. 

Multiple Buildings, One Great Museum 

The Wadsworth had a number of notable benefactors that allowed the museum to grow into five distinct buildings.   

The first officially opened in 1844. Facing Main Street in Hartford, Hargraves compared the architecture of this “magical” building to that of a castle.  

The Wadsworth’s second building opened in the early 1900s with the support of Samuel Colt, founder of Colt’s Manufacturing Company, and his wife Elizabeth. 

J.P. Morgan, founder of Drexel, Morgan & Co. (which later became J.P. Morgan & Co.), supported the construction of The Wadsworth’s third building, which houses the majority of its European collections. 

“It looks almost like a great French building from the early 19th century,” said Hargraves. “You can roam around, lots of small rooms and great large galleries upstairs. It’s a building you can very pleasingly, in the best sense, get lost in. [But] we have lots of gallery attendants who are always ready to help and suggest things people should see or help people find their way.”  

The fourth building was constructed in the 1930s and was the first museum building in the United States to be built in the modern International Style. Hargraves described it as “an incredible landmark in museum history” that contains the Wadsworth’s modern paintings, including art from Picasso and Matisse. On the top floor, visitors will discover a wide range of American art. 

When Hargraves first visited the museum as a guest roughly three decades ago, he was blown away. 

“Everyone in Britain said, ‘You have to go to The Wadsworth,’” Hargraves recalled. “I walked in through the door, and everywhere I looked was a familiar picture. Things I’d seen in every book and every lecture I’d ever been to. And I thought, ‘My goodness, this is incredible!’ I spent the entire day there. I didn’t think I would, I thought maybe I’d be there in the morning. But I stayed until they literally closed the door and pushed me out. It is truly the most extraordinary place.” 

The 2026 ICC Leadership Week + Hearings will take place at the Connecticut Convention Center from April 18 through April 24. Learn more here.