The J. Paul Getty Villa and Getty Center

History and Collections of the Getty Museums Near Los Angeles

Jul 31, 2009

The Getty Museums in Los Angeles are an important attraction for art, architecture, and garden aficionados.

The J. Paul Getty Museums include the Villa near Malibu and the Getty Center in Brentwood overlooking Los Angeles. The extensive collections of art are worth the trip, but there are other reasons to visit the Getty Center.

History

Getty Musuems are a result of a bequest of J. Paul Getty, an oil entrepreneur, and were established in 1953. Getty’s interest in art led to the establishment of the Getty Museums. The collection was first housed in the Villa near Malibu, California. As the collection and number of visitors grew, the collection was moved to the new Getty Center in 1997. The Villa was then renovated and reopened in 2006.

Collections

The permanent collection at the Getty Center includes works from the Middle Ages through modern times. The work of Rubens, a Flemish artist, is among the well-known artists visitors to the Getty Center may encounter. The Entombment by Rubens (ca. 1612) with its allusions to the Eucharist (J. Paul Getty Museum, 1997), represents work from the 17th century, for example. Other visitors will appreciate the works of Renoir, Manet, and van Gogh in the galleries of Getty Center. A number of changing exhibitions encourage return trips to the Center in the unlikely event the permanent collections, gardens, and Center buildings are not enough. Is summer of 2009, an exhibition of French bronzes attracts the visitor’s attention.

A number of public programs also invite the visitor to explore the museums. At the Center, the public is encouraged to try their hands as artists using Getty collection pieces as inspiration. Tours of the gardens, buildings, and collections are available most days of the year.

Architecture

The architecture of the Center offers the visitor the permanence of Travertine stone, expansive views of the city, clear lines views of the gardens and surrounding Center structures, fountains, and gardens. The Center website tells the cyber-traveler that the architect, Richard Meier, designed the facility with both culture and nature in mind.

Gardens

The gardens around the Getty pavilions are worth the visitor’s time as well. They incorporate Meier’s architectural designs, the environment of Southern California, commissioned sculptures, and the glimpses of Italian villas, as well (James, 2004).

In the high-powered urban setting of Los Angeles, the Getty Museums offer many options for escaping to grand architecture, beautiful gardens, and world-class works of art.

The copyright of the article The J. Paul Getty Villa and Getty Center in Art Galleries/Museums is owned by Tom Wolsey. Permission to republish The J. Paul Getty Villa and Getty Center in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.