Art Museum

Norton Simon Museum

Pasadena, United States

Image: Wikimedia Commons.

Norton Simon Museum is an art museum in Pasadena, United States.

About Norton Simon Museum

Overview & Identity

The Norton Simon Museum is a prominent art museum located in Pasadena, California, renowned for its internationally significant permanent collection comprising over 12,000 objects. The institution is unique in that it does not own the majority of the works it displays; instead, the art is held on long-term loan by The Norton Simon Foundation and the Norton Simon Art Foundation. As of 2014, the combined fair-market value of these artworks was estimated at approximately $5 billion. The museum operates as a private foundation with an annual budget of about $6 million, dedicated to public education and the display of major art.

History & Founding

The museum's origins trace back to the Pasadena Art Institute, founded in 1922 and incorporated in 1924. Initially operating from a Victorian mansion in Carmelita Park, the Institute merged with the Pasadena Museum of Art in 1942. A pivotal moment occurred in 1953 with the bequest of the Blue Four collection from Galka E. Scheyer, establishing the institution as a center for modern art. After decades of financial struggle and a new building opening in 1969, the museum faced bankruptcy in 1974. Industrialist Norton Simon assumed management and financial responsibility, leading to the museum's reopening in 1975 as the Norton Simon Museum of Art at Pasadena.

Collection Highlights

The museum's collection is celebrated for its depth and quality, featuring the only painting by Raphael on the West Coast and three portraits by Rembrandt. It holds six superb paintings by Vincent van Gogh and over one hundred works by Edgar Degas. The collection also includes an extensive array of Indian and Southeast Asian sculpture spanning 2,500 years, as well as a significant group of German Expressionist works from the Blue Four collection. Norton Simon's personal collecting activity, which spanned over 30 years and included more than 8,000 works, forms the core of these holdings.

Significance & Legacy

The Norton Simon Museum stands as a testament to Norton Simon's vision that a museum should be a place for 'looking more than reading,' emphasizing direct engagement with art. The institution maintains a unique model where the foundation owns the art, allowing for a curated, encyclopedic display without the burden of ownership for the operating museum. The museum has played a crucial role in the cultural landscape of Southern California, hosting landmark exhibitions of 20th-century art and preserving a diverse collection that bridges European, American, and Asian artistic traditions.

Recent Developments

In recent years, the museum has undertaken significant exterior improvement projects to preserve its architectural heritage. A major component of this work involved the cleaning and refurbishing of the 115,000 ceramic tiles that define the building's facade, a task completed by specialized conservation teams. The project also included updates to wayfinding signage and improvements to vehicle and pedestrian access along Colorado Boulevard, ensuring the historic site remains accessible and visually striking for visitors.