SIMON OAKLAND HERITAGE MOVIE
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In retrospect, we were so glad we did visit here. Our guide recommended that we instead spend the day at the Norton Simon Museum. That event turned out to be the Adele Concert which was shown on TV. However, at the last minute, we learned that the museum was not available due to a 'special event'. But the museum really is within walking distance of much of Pasadena's Colorado Avenue shopping and dining and convention district.ĭuring last October's mini-vacation to L.A., we had planned to visit The Grifith Observatory.

SIMON OAKLAND HERITAGE FREE

Parking is free at the Norton Simon, but maybe inadequate on a very busy weekend or holiday. There's a small cafe, with a limited menu, picturesquely overlooking the outdoor sculpture garden and pond. The admission charge allows visitors to leave and re-enter on the same day, merely by waving your receipt (same with the audio tour, by the way). The collection includes mostly European works - with an extensive section of the Dutch Masters' works, but also includes a large Asian (mostly Indian) collection, as well as a 'modern' and 'contemporary' collection from the 20th century.Īlthough we expected to devote a couple of hours to the museum, we gladly spent an entire day, so engaged were we by its variety and richness.

SIMON OAKLAND HERITAGE MOVIE

The museum features an introductory movie about Norton Simon himself, exceptionally well produced and well worth watching before you explore his collections. The audio brings to life the works you see before you. Each audio description is replete with excellent production details such as appropriate music, quotes and anecdotes from and about the artists and their contemporaries, and rich details about the works themselves. I recommend the audio tour (just $3), perhaps especially if you're not an expert. Some of the most famous are located in the entrance garden, accessible even to those who have not paid the museum's modest admission fee ($15 free for children, students and military). The collection includes some of Rodin's original bronze castings. It's possible to step close to each work to examine the details of brush strokes or sculpture techniques, and most sculptures are mounted to allow visitors to see them from every angle. Perhaps the most appealing feature is the museum's modest size and the fact that its truly precious works are displayed (literally) within reach of every visitor. Even for those of us who don't pretend to be experts, the Norton Simon is an inspiring and beautiful place to visit. Acquired by a fabulously wealthy entrepreneur who didn't realize until mid-life that he was an art lover, this collection includes some of the most famous works in the world from artists like Raphael, Monet, Degas and Rodin (and many, many more big names in the art world). Los Angeles has several outstanding art museums, and probably countless private collections, but the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena is a superb gallery, arguably better than some of the biggies like Getty.

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