Wednesday, September 25, 2013

HUNTINGTON LIBRARY VISIT













           
            Ed and I went to the Huntington Library to see the new exhibit about Junipero Serra and the Legacies of the California Missions with about 250 objects that included paintings, documents and Indian crafts.
            Junipero Serra was born in 1713 on the island of Mallorca. In 1749, Serra and several other Malloran Franciscans went to Mexico as missionaries.  In 1768 Serra embarked from the Pacific port of San Blas on his way to the Californias. On the way he established the Mision San Fernando Rey de Espana de Velicata in Baja California.  When he reached San Diego he started the Mission San Diego de Alcala, the first of the 21 California missions. The Indians brought their cultural traditions of music and art to the mission but many perished due to disease. The decaying missions have become tourist attractions and a defining architectural motif for California.

VIRGINIA STEELE SCOTT GALERIES


Chimborazo by Frederic Church
             We had an easy drive to San Marino using the diamond lanes on the freeways, zipping along any congested traffic. We arrived at noon, opening time for the Huntington. After lunch at their café we went on to the missions exhibit as well  as the American art in the Virginia Steele Scott Gallery. Paintings included The Last Leg by Edward Hopper(left) and Breakfast in Bed by Mary  Cassatt (below)

We also spent time in the Chinese garden that included intricate wood carved panels.




Japanese Tea Pavilion has been recently added with decorated interiors






We finished the visit at the Conservatory with lush tropical plants including many blooming orchids.

            There is new construction going on that will include a new entrance, an education and visitor center, a lecture hall, an entry   garden and a new café.
            After an easy drive back to San Diego we had a Greek dinner at my house.

















Sunday, September 22, 2013

GETTY CENTER














We took this daytrip excursion with the La Jolla Community Center.  They provided a small van for a group of 8 of us.
            The Getty Center hilltop site in the Santa Monica Mountains has views of Los Angeles that reach as far as the Pacific Ocean and the san Gabriel Mountains.
            Visitors arrive at a tram station and enter from a set of steps that lead to the main rotunda building.  Travertine panels cover the walls of the buildings and many of the exterior surfaces are made of glass allowing light to the galleries with shades that adjust the light. There are five two story pavilions with numerous galleries showcasing the large collections.
             The J. Paul Getty Museum houses European paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts and decorative arts. 
Monet
           
                      


Irises by Vincent Van Gogh

Monet

La promenade by Monet

Before trial by Abraham Solomon


After trial by Solomon

Joseph turner

French 18th century

French 18th century
Central garden



            Outside there is a central garden, sculpture garden and a cactus garden.