Since I’m a bestselling art historical novelist (Oil and Marble: a novel of Leonardo and Michelangelo and Raphael, Painter in Rome), a lot of fans ask: “What are your favorite pieces of art?” And since I’ve lived in Los Angeles for nearly 20 years, people often ask what art they MUST SEE when traveling to LA-LA land.
When you’re visiting LA, you don’t want to spend all of your time in museums, do you? No, you want to be out in the wild, going to the beach or spotting celebrities. But don’t you also want to see the stars of the art world, too? If so, this list is for you.
Here is a list of my Top 10 “Must See” pieces of art in Los Angeles:
Irises
Vincent Van Gogh Getty
One of Vincent’s most iconic works lives at the Getty in Los Angeles. This work was painted in the last year of the artist’s life from irises growing in the garden of the asylum in Saint-Remy. One of Vincent’s most famous works — so it’s no surprise to me that it lives in the city of fame.
Number 1, 1949 Jackson Pollock MOCA
This Jackson Pollock is from 1949, the same year that Life magazine asked if Pollock was “The greatest living painter in the United States?” His fame, however, ate at him, and he became an alcoholic, dying in a car crash in 1956 at the age of 44. What better city in which to ponder how fame sometimes consumes art than in Los Angeles?
Blue Boy
Thomas Gainsborough
The Huntington
This is arguably the most famous work by Thomas Gainsborough, the acclaimed 18th century British portrait painter. I love this painting because it’s like stepping back in time: that blue shimmering outfit, the feathered hat, the boy’s face… whenever I visit this painting I’m immediately transported back to 18th century England — even though I’m standing in 21st century Southern California.
Dancer at Rest Edgar Degas
Norton Simon
There are many masterpieces in the Norton Simon, but this dancer statue — dominating the center of the Degas room — is one of the true highlights. I love that she’s standing there, perfectly in repose, doused in light, a strange combination of graceful yet awkward… She’s so very LA — a famous woman just standing there, comfortable with being watching.
Rouen Cathedral Claude Monet
Monet famously painted this church facade over and over again at different times of the day to capture the way light changes seemingly immutable objects. This one was captured in the morning, when the early light was beginning to envelop the spires while the portal remained in grainy darkness. Light changes. Everything is ephemeral. Especially in the City of Angels.
Frida Kahlo
by Diego Rivera LACMA
We usually see Frida Kahlo through her own self-portraits, but here is one of Mexico’s greatest artist and famed feminist icon as seen through the eyes of her husband, muralist Diego Rivera. It’s the only known easel portrait of his wife (likely painted during the period between their two marriages), and he kept it in his studio until he died (three years after Frida had passed). A unique view of Frida Kahlo living in Los Angeles.
Sarah Bernhardt
Alfred Stevens
Hammer Museum
There are many great masterpieces in the Armand Hammer Collection at the Hammer Museums, but this portrait of the legendary actress Sarah Bernhardt is one of my favorites to visit when in LA. How can you not want to spend a few moments convening with one of history’s greatest actresses when you’re in the land of Hollywood? Plus, just look into those eyes—boy, did she know how to connect with an audience.
Head of Minerva Getty Villa
The Getty Villa houses a fascinating antique collection housed in a remake of a Greek Villa right on the Pacific Coast. The architecture and the ambiance are well worth a visit, but the collection of antiquities is remarkable and my favorites — and one of the best preserved — is this head of Minerva.. Her nose is broken, her body lost, but she’s still there — Roman goddess of wisdom, war, and art.
The Broad is a treasure trove of brilliant contemporary art and always houses some of the best rotating exhibits in the city, but my favorite part has to be all those Roy Lichtensteins. A visit to this world-class contemporary art museum is worth a visit on any trip to LA, but as long as you’re going to miss the room dedicated to this legend of pop art.
The Artist’s Garden at Vetheuil
Claude Monet Norton Simon
This masterpiece by Claude Monet is one of many jewels at the Norton Simon. It’s likely a preparatory painting for the larger version held in the National Gallery of Art in DC, but it has an energy that the larger version is missing. This was painted during the years when Monet was struggling: he was broke, no one wanted his work, and his beloved wife had died. And yet, this painting exudes such joy. Is there a better way to spend a day in LA?
Los Angeles is not only filled with world-class movies, but world-class art, too.
These are some of my favorites in LA. What are yours?