As I was doing research on the morning of the anniversary of the Gardner theft, I came across an announcement on their website.

All I could think was – “THEY FOUND THEM!”

I had visited the museum the day before reflecting on the theft. As I saw the unexpected notice, my heart leapt with the idea that they were taking the morning to restore the missing works. In my mind, I congratulated the museum for keeping the last stages of the investigation and recovery quiet so they could dramatically announce the return when the thirteen pieces, valued at $500 million, were safely back.

I was so sure that I reserved tickets so I could be in the queue as soon as possible. I imagined my route to visiting each of the works, making my way to a good, long, audience in the Dutch Room. I’d wait to sit at the wooden guard’s beside the Vermeer. My spot would have a view beyond The Concert to the big Rembrandts on the South wall, and his little self-portrait neat the door. I could see the Flinck when I got up to really reunite with each piece…

After refreshing my browser again and again all day, the news broke that the closing was because of the threat of a planned protest. Precautions for the safety of the art and well-being of staff and visitors, caused the closure.

Obviously disappointed, I could only think of Emily Dickinson’s poem and be grateful for being “kept warm” for a bit.

Hope is the Thing with Feathers

Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all

And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –

I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
And on the strangest Sea –
Yet – never – in Extremity,
It asked a crumb – of me.

Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) and Isabella Stewart Gardner shared more than a few characteristics and challenges. These two remarkable women of the nineteenth century also shared a love of contemporary poets and writing. “Hope is the Thing with Feathers” was published posthumously and I do not know that there is a record of ISG specific knowledge of Dickinson or her work.