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.

From the Archive

Karl Benjamin with Andrew Perchuk

Andrew Perchuk of the Getty Research Institute conducting an oral history interview with Karl Benjamin in 2010. © J. Paul Getty Trust

Historic Map Locations

Works of Art

  • Stage II

    Stage II, 1958, Karl Benjamin. Oil on canvas. 50 x 70 in. Collection of Louis Stern. © Karl Benjamin, courtesy Louis Stern Fine Arts. ©Photography by Gerard Vuilleumier

Explore the Archive

  • Video: Karl Benjamin

    Video: Karl Benjamin speaks about his work, December 2009

  • Abstract Classicists

    Abstract Classicists meet at Lorser Feitelson’s studio in Los Angeles, May 10, 1959

  • Poster for Karl Benjamin exhibition

    Poster for Karl Benjamin exhibition at the Esther-Robles Gallery in Los Angeles, 1964. © Karl Benjamin. The Getty Research Institute, Gift of Michael Asher, 2009.M.30.12