Art Museum

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Los Angeles, United States

Los Angeles County Museum of Art is an art museum in Los Angeles, United States. 13 works from its collection are in this catalog, including Titian and Thomas Eakins.

About Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Overview

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is the largest art museum in the western United States, located on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. Established as an independent institution in 1961 after separating from the Los Angeles County Museum of History, Science, and Art, LACMA holds a distinguished collection of over 150,000 objects spanning ancient to contemporary art. The museum serves as a major cultural hub, featuring diverse holdings from the ancient Americas, Asia, Europe, the Islamic world, and modern and contemporary eras, and is currently undergoing a significant architectural transformation with the opening of the David Geffen Galleries.

Building & Architecture

The museum's campus has evolved through several architectural phases. Early buildings were designed by William Pereira and Bruce Goff, featuring a style similar to the surrounding mid-century modern architecture. A major transformation plan was approved in 2004, though it faced delays and funding challenges. The current campus includes the Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM), opened in 2008, and the Resnick Pavilion, opened in 2010. In 2020, four existing buildings were demolished to make way for the new David Geffen Galleries, designed by Peter Zumthor. Opened in 2026, this meandering, amoeba-shaped structure is praised for its expansive windows and textured concrete, replacing older facilities to unify the campus.

Collection Highlights

LACMA's collection of over 120,000 objects is divided by region, media, and time period. Notable holdings include a rich pre-Columbian collection initiated by a 570-piece gift in the 1980s, and a significant Spanish Colonial collection featuring 17th and 18th-century Mexican art. The museum houses extensive Asian art, including Indian sculptures and Japanese works like Hokusai's 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa'. The modern and contemporary collection features works by artists such as Ansel Adams and is anchored by the Broad Contemporary Art Museum. The Wallis Annenberg Photography Department, launched in 1984, holds over 15,000 works. Recent major acquisitions include the Broad collection and the Resnick Pavilion's display of large-scale contemporary works.

Significance & Legacy

As the largest art museum in the western United States, LACMA plays a pivotal role in the cultural landscape of Los Angeles and the nation. Its significance is underscored by its ability to attract major philanthropic support, including the $500 million Broad donation and the $650 million fundraising campaign for the new Geffen Galleries. The museum is recognized for its diverse programming, ranging from ancient antiquities to popular culture exhibitions, and for its commitment to displaying art in innovative ways, such as the integration of water features in the new galleries. LACMA's ongoing architectural evolution reflects its ambition to remain a leading global institution for art and culture.