Perched above the elegant neighborhood of Brentwood, The Getty Center is a world-renowned museum that offers high art in three ways – through a first-rate art collection, cutting-edge architecture, and splendid gardens.
The museum’s location is a treat in itself. The 24-acre campus sits on 110 acres of land in the Santa Monica Mountains, amid lush natural surroundings. On clear days, visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the city below, as well as the distant San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mountains.
The campus includes 5 buildings that house the museum, the Getty Research Institute, the Getty Conservation Institute, the Getty Foundation, and the J. Paul Getty Trust.
History
The Getty Center is the second of two Getty Museum sites. The first and original site was founder J. Paul Getty’s estate in Pacific Palisades. He expanded his house and opened a wing for the museum in 1954.
In the early 1970s, Getty constructed an Italian-villa-inspired complex on his property to house the museum, and called it the Getty Villa. Upon his death in 1976, the museum was turned over to the Getty Trust. The collection continued to grow and was soon too big to fit in the villa, prompting the need for a second location.
The land on which the Getty Center now sits was purchased in 1983, and the complex was completed and opened to the public in 1997. Getty Villa also remains operational to this day, and holds part of the museum’s collection.
The art collection
The J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center features a permanent collection that includes pre-20th century European artwork, manuscripts and sculpture, 19th and 20th century photographs, and modern sculptures.
The various exhibition pieces are arranged and organized in four pavilions. Among the many highly prized artworks are Irises by Van Gogh, Wheatstacks by Monet, The Abduction of Europa by Rembrandt, and Venus and Adonis by Titian.
The Center also hosts seasonal exhibitions, often in collaboration with top museums from different countries. Held at the Exhibits Pavilion, they are considered among the most important exhibitions in the world.
The Center’s grounds feature modern and contemporary sculptures, including 28 outdoor sculptures donated by film producer Ray Stark and his wife, Fran.
The architecture
The Getty Center’s architecture was designed by Richard Meier in the contemporary style, seamlessly incorporating the modern buildings, gardens, open spaces, and surrounding views. Guests are transported from the street-level parking lot to the elevated campus via two computer-operated trams.
The campus’ main architectural features include Italian travertine cladding softened by curvilinear lines and refreshing gardens. The buildings are constructed with plenty of exterior glass walls to let in natural light. A computerized system of louvers and shades is used to adjust indoor lighting.
The gardens
The Getty Center includes a number of gardens and fountains strategically located in different areas, including a cactus garden, the Museum Courtyard, and the Tram Arrival Plaza.
The Central Garden, created by American installation artist Robert Irwin, lies at the heart of the Center. Covering an area of 134,000 square feet, it features a walkway that takes visitors around the garden, a ravine, and a stream that cascades into a pool with a spectacular azalea maze.
The garden is landscaped with more than 500 plant varieties, with new ones constantly being added. The walkway leads to a plaza surrounded by bougainvillea arbors. Irwin’s vision for the garden, “Always changing, never twice the same,” is carved on the plaza floor.
