Isabella Stewart Gardner was an American art collector and philanthropist, born on April 14, 1840, in New York City. She is best known for founding the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, which houses her extensive collection of art, including works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Titian. The museum is designed to resemble a Venetian palace and features a beautiful garden. Gardner was a prominent figure in the Boston cultural scene and was known for her unconventional lifestyle. She was married to Jack Gardner, a wealthy Bostonian, and after his death, she dedicated her life to art and philanthropy, leaving a lasting legacy in the art world.