​​Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA)

About the ​​Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA)

In 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA) was founded as the United States' first art academy and museum. The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts art museum focuses on American works of art, and continues a balanced approach to collecting by acquiring a mix of historical and contemporary works of art.

PAFA also staged yearly art exhibits from 1811 until 1969, during which substantial acquisitions were made, including Thomas Hart Benton’s Aaron and Fairfield Porter’s Jimmy and Liz (who studied with Benton at the Arts Student League in New York City).

Works by Benton at PAFA

There are 2 works of art by Thomas Hart Benton within PAFA’s collection. They are two works of art related to Aaron, including one painting and one lithograph print.

Visiting Information

118-128 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102

(215) 972-7600

https://www.pafa.org/museum/visit

Hours

  • Monday: Closed

  • Tuesday: Closed

  • Wednesday: Closed

  • Thursday: 10:00AM - 4:00PM

  • Friday: 10:00AM - 4:00PM

  • Saturday: 11:00AM - 5:00PM

  • Sunday: 11:00AM - 5:00PM

Holidays

Closed on the following days:

  • New Year’s Day

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day

  • President’s Day

  • Memorial Day

  • Independence Day

  • Labor Day

  • Thanksgiving Day

  • Christmas Eve

  • Christmas Day

 Resources & Information

  • Photo of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA): Difference engine, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Common

  • Fairfield Porter and Thomas Hart Benton in Art Students League: https://www.pafa.org/museum/collection/item/jimmy-liz