The Barnes Foundation is a renowned art collection and educational institution in Philadelphia known for holding the finest pieces of impressionist, post-impressionist, and modern paintings in the world. Works by Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, and Picasso are arranged alongside African masks, Native American jewelry, Greek antiquities, and decorative metalwork to highlight their shared qualities and reject the hierarchy of fine art versus craft.

Since its founding in 1922, the mission of the Barnes is to promote the advancement of education and the appreciation of the fine arts and horticulture.

We’re thrilled to be partnering with such a legendary art institution to produce this exclusive collaborative collection. This partnership offered the sensational opportunity to explore its major holdings of fine art. Dr. Barnes arranged this collection in “ensembles” which also include objects from across history and around the globe. Our shared passion for celebrating pivotal works of art across eras and regions made for a natural union.

Be sure to check out this wondrous institution the next time you visit Philadelphia.

After the first discussions, we began to work together – browsing the museum’s collection, working on the details of the collaboration, and testing product samples.

The fact that the Barnes Foundation houses a collection that is so diverse and historically significant made it difficult to choose where to begin, but we knew we wanted to work with an instantly recognizable image to share their collection with the world.

Partnering with such a revered institution is an inspiring opportunity to bring together our shared enthusiasm for lifelong learning and the celebration of art from across the globe.

Developing this design was a joy for our talented Graphics team. For this first release in our collaboration with the Barnes Foundation, our designers and the museum's merchandising team did a deep dive into the Barnes’ archives to select one of their finest artworks as our debut design.

“After an extensive review of the Barnes Foundation’s masterpieces, we carefully pre-selected approximately a dozen finalists. Among them, Cézanne’s Terracotta Pots and Flowers stands out for its timeless design, captivating hearts with its rich composition and inherent sweetness. The earthy and soothing colours employed in this artwork evoke sun-drenched gardens. The addition of a vibrant red scarf provides a delightful contrast, harmonizing with the delicate pink hues found in the flower bulbs. Our intention is to convey to the viewer the serene and unadulterated beauty of nature, as seen through the discerning eyes of the grand master, Cézanne.” – Adina, Associate Art Director

The opportunity to bring the classic charm of Enid Blyton’s work to life on our covers has been a new and exciting challenge, one born out of a joint admiration and excitement for what could be created together. We hope The Famous Five series is the first of many collaborations with Hachette Children's Group as our partnership with the Hachette family continues to grow.

Paul Cézanne (1839–1906) was a French painter who is regarded as one of the greatest of the post-Impressionists. Terracotta Pots and Flowers saw Cézanne enter a new era of still life painting. Here he arranges everyday objects including a pitcher with potted geraniums inside the greenhouse at his father’s estate near Aix-en-Provence.

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