Tuesday, March 29, 2016

The Getty

The Getty is a museum in Brentwood, Los Angeles, which houses a wide range of art, such as paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, and much more. The museum originated from the late billionaire – industrialist J. Paul Getty’s art collection, which was housed at his Pacific Palisades mansion. Upon his death in 1976, the Getty Trust took over management of the collection. As time passed, Getty’s home which became known as “Getty Villa,” was not big enough to house the works of art anymore, and was thus transferred to the current location.

 

Upon arrival at the huge parking lot, visitors take a tram to the museum which is nestled on top of a hill. Entrance is free, and parking is $15.

 

The day we went to The Getty, we had planned to start our afternoon off by eating at the restaurant there, called “The Restaurant,” haha. It is a simple but elegant place, run by the famed Patina Group, which offers magnificent views of the city. Unfortunately, we came too late and it was closed. Instead, we ate at the cafe, pictured above. It was a simple cafeteria, but look at how beautiful the architecture is!

 

 

The Getty is known not just for its art collections, but also for its architecture and sprawling gardens. The weather was perfect that day, so we decided to spend part of our afternoon visiting the impressionist wing, and then spend the rest exploring the center’s grounds.  Here I am admiring one of my favorite paintings, “La Promenade” by the great Renoir.

 

 

And ofcourse, we cannot speak of impressionism without paying homage to one of my favorite artists, Claude Monet. Here is his rendition of the Cathedral at Rouen. Amazing!

 

 

The front and entrance area of The Getty already offers so many scenic walkways, such as this charming tree-lined path

 

 

Even the walls are pretty!

 

The staircase is a work of art in itself

 

The other side of the museum opens out onto this magnificent 12,400sqm masterpiece known as the Central Garden. More than 500 species of plants were used here. From this angle we also get the perfect view of The Getty’s superb architecture

 

 

 

Stop and take a rest, read a book, or just watch the world go by on one of the many picture-perfect spots of the garden

 

 

So many different details and dimensions along this walk. Getting a bit of shade under this dainty little arc

 

 

I love the rough beauty of these boulders

 

A day at The Getty could mean a great meal, world-class art, and lovely walks, as long as you plan your day right. If you would like to dine at The Restaurant, make sure you’re not late for lunch like us hahaha! And aside from the regular collection, there are also interesting temporary exhibits. You can see what’s currently on display at their website http://www.getty.edu/. Remember also to check the weather report so that you don’t miss out on taking a relaxing stroll through the gardens.

 

 

 

Photos by Rifka Barbero and Missy Castro