LACMA

Ahmanson, Level 3, and Sculpture Garden: Artworks on view

Comprising European sculpture from the twelfth through the early twentieth centuries, LACMA’s collection is famed for its Renaissance and baroque polychrome sculptures. Of particular note are the French eighteenth-century terra-cottas, with examples of the work of Tuby, Clodion, Chinard, and Pajou. The nineteenth century is richly represented with sculptures by David d’Angers, Rude, Carrier-Belleuse, Dalou, Falguière, and above all, Auguste Rodin; works by Rodin and Bourdelles are installed in the renovated B. Gerald Cantor Sculpture Garden.

Andrea della Robbia

French Sculptures, L.A. Garden

April 17, 2009

Though at first the palms, icons of L.A., might seem out of place with French sculpture, Irwin says it’s a time-honored pairing. When working on his plans for the garden, he presented LACMA staff with an old photo of Versailles that captured palms in the summertime alongside the palace. The French felt palms were to be treasured and they brought the trees out of greenhouses in warm weather to introduce an exotic element to the grounds.

Keeping Tabs on an Art Collection, Part I

September 21, 2009

Last month I fulfilled a lifelong dream of visiting the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. When I was there, I noticed a number of large notations applied directly on the backs of some of the sculptures on view. Marks like those pictured above are used for recordkeeping purposes at museums, but these seemed particularly bold to me.

Echoes of Louis XIV

August 25, 2009

I’ve come across another subject that’s made a couple of simultaneous appearances around town. He’s more than mere subject actually; he’s a king. Louis XIV, to be specific. You can see him in the Getty’s current show, Cast in Bronze: French Sculpture from Renaissance to Revolution French Bronzes, and you can also catch him on the third floor of BCAM, courtesy Jeff Koons.