Explore the Era

Delve into the postwar Los Angeles art world in this online archive, which provides additional material related to the exhibitions on view at the Getty Center. Learn about hipsters and happenings, and the venues across the city where all the action took place through images from the archives and first-hand accounts with the artists.

Molly Barnes Gallery

After working for Herbert Palmer and Rolf Nelson, Molly Barnes opened her own gallery, where she gave shows to John Baldessari, George Herms, and, in 1969, comedian Steve Martin. Baldessari had his first one-person exhibition here.

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Explore the Archive

  • John Baldessari exhibition at Molly Barnes Gallery

    John Baldessari (left) at the opening of his exhibition at the Molly Barnes Gallery in Los Angeles, 1968. Photo by Phillip T. Jones and courtesy of John Baldessari. © Phillip T. Jones

  • Poster for John Baldessari exhibition

    Poster for John Baldessari exhibition Pure Beauty at Molly Barnes Gallery in Los Angeles, 1968. © John Baldessari. The Getty Research Institute, 890164.87