Buried Treasures at PAFA

I recently took a drawing workshop class at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. On the 2nd day the class was allowed to visit the archives that are housed deep below the cast hall. Everyone was advised not to touch anything but our eyes could certainly touch the amazing treasure of paintings! In the cold basement vault there is a priceless collection of paintings. Our tour guide gently pulled out some of the paintings to view up close. Photos were permitted so I'm sharing some of the photos of the paintings of early American painters below.