Gardner's Eden

"I’ve come to find, I’m not just investigating a place through drawing, but also the mind of an extraordinary woman, the museum’s founder." — James Prosek

During his artist residency at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, James Prosek was drawn to Gardner’s collection, her love of plants, and the relationships she nurtured. Over the course of several visits, he created a series of fifty-four exquisite drawings capturing everything from rarely seen personal mementos and carefully arranged gallery objects to the ever-changing flora and fauna of the Museum’s iconic Courtyard.

Each drawing is paired with carefully selected quotations from letters, poems, and journals by Gardner, her friends, and contemporaries. These selections highlight the breadth of Isabella’s eclectic interests and reveal Prosek’s own keen, observant eye. Thoughtfully paired with an essay by the artist, they invite readers to reflect on the enduring dialogue between art, nature, and personal history.

Featuring artwork and texts by James Prosek, along with contributions from Peggy Fogelman (Norman Jean Calderwood Director), and Pieranna Cavalchini (Tom and Lisa Blumenthal Curator of Contemporary Art).
Designed by Siena Scarff Design
Edited by Margaret Burchenal
Published by the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 2025
Hardcover
10.25” x 7.75” x .75”