The Philadelphia Museum of Art is the third-largest art museum in the United States – but may be better known for its steps, a backdrop for the movie “Rocky.” Probably not a good testament to American culture. But art imitates life imitates art: On any given day you’ll see scores of people running up those steps, and a monumental statue of “Rocky” now stands just east of the base of the steps.
The museum is constructed as three Greek temples atop Faire Mount, at the northwest end of Benjamin Franklin Parkway. While the center temple is the principal building, the north temple has the most elaborate pediment.
Philadelphia Museum of Art Vital Statistics
- Location: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 26th Street
- Year completed: 1928
- Architect: Horace Trumbauer, C. Clark Zantzinger, Charles L. Borie, Jr.
- Floors: 3
- Style: Greek Revival
Philadelphia Museum of Art Recommended Reading
- Wikipedia entry
- Philadelphia Museum of Art website
- Visit Philly: The Architecture of Art