Our very own Norton Simon Museum is presenting Raphael's, The Small Cowper Madonna, circa 1505. It is on loan from the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. as part of an exchange program. This is the first time the painting has been lent to another U.S. museum and it is our very own Norton Simon. Feeling a bit like a proud Mama that it's here in our town. It's here until January 24th, 2011. Click here for more info: Raphael's Madonna at the Norton Simon Museum
So now is the perfect moment to sing the praises of the Norton Simon museum. If you haven't been there yet, go now. If you've been before but it's been a while, go again. To me it is the most perfect museum. It's manageable, light-filled, has an amazing collection for a smaller space, is super stylish (more on this next), the permanent collection rocks as do the rotating shows, there's a great garden with sculptures and tasty food, it's close by and....it's a great place to take out of town guests as the notion of museums usually puts them to sleep. I guarantee you this will totally impress your guests as they can take in the collection very quickly, have a stroll in the sculpture garden, have a light meal and then they will tout your superior tour guide status to their friends when they get home. I promise.
In 1964, Thornton Ladd and John Kelsey were hired to design the building to house Norton Simon's collections. It opened in 1969 and the interior was redesigned by Frank O. Gehry in 1999. The outside of the building is covered in Heath Ceramics tiles. Such a heritage! We should all be so well-designed.
Norton Simon Museum Architecture
P.S. The current exhibition of Hiroshige: Visions of Japan is not to be missed. Here until 1/17/11.
Hiroshige: Visions of Japan
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