Do you have memories that feel more real than your life today? British painter J. M. W. Turner did, and they are the subject of this painting. The year is 1839. Turner, now in his 60s, has not set foot… More»
An important archive on postwar art is now available for research at the Getty Research Institute. After several months of writing and archival processing, I’ve just finished my work on the archive of Galerie Schmela. The archive’s 172 boxes and 25 flat file… More»
What is that painting? Wonder no longer. By taking a photo with the Google Goggles™ app for your smartphone, you can now instantly identify any painting in our collection, plus access related information and audio. Awesome, right? We created a… More»
It’s back! The Museum Store at the Getty Center has just reopened after a month-long renovation. The space hasn’t grown, but it feels bigger thanks to an airy layout, nicely integrated display cases, and a fresh arrangement of books and… More»
You close your eyes, make a wish, and throw a coin in a fountain. This scene isn’t uncommon here at the Getty. Last year, some $1,649.03 worth of coins were collected from the Azalea Pool in the Central Garden, contributed… More»
Begins with an introduction by Karol Wight, senior curator of antiquities. Audience Q&A follows. Running time: 59:04 | Download (MP3 file, 55.4 MB) For centuries, Americans and Europeans saw the lands of the Bible—known variously as Palestine, western Syria, and… More»
If our globe had a school playground, could you spot Italy? That’s right, the one voted “most popular.” Good-looking, sharp, charismatic. Plus, a rock star in art class. This year, the popular kid turns 150. Surprisingly, the nation that for… More»
Berlin, circa 1921: The painter Hans Richter turns his talents to film and produces one of the earliest abstract films, Rhythmus 21. Clocking in at just over three minutes, it’s a significant departure from the newsreels, romances, cliff-hangers, and penny-dreadfuls… More»
The mythology of artistic greatness tends to privilege the spark of creative genius over hard work, sacrifice, and experimentation. Traditionally, the biographies of famous artists have described naïve talents who achieved notoriety only after being fortuitously discovered. By contrast, Man… More»
The Harald Szeemann Archive and Library, one of the most important private research collections for modern and contemporary art in the world, is coming to the Getty Research Institute—and we couldn’t be more excited. Szeemann was the most influential curator… More»
Medieval methods of entertainment included sad dances and alienation parties.
Tights are not pants, circa 1400something.