The 14th & 15th Century galleries featured detailed portraits, and very religious-based subject matter. From the Birth of the Child, to the Resurrection, to an entire room dedicated to paintings of Madonna and Child.

In the 17th & 18th Century galleries, a large assortment of Italian and Spanish portraits, still lifes, and several large scale pieces depicting scenes from Ancient Rome.

Also here are portraits by Rembrandt, Peter Paul Rubens, and an especially striking piece by Guido Reni - Saint Cecilia - the Patron Saint of musicians. [above]

We walked back to see the 19th Century Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. van gogh, Monet, Renoir, Cezanne and Manet's The Ragpicker [below] plus, more sculpture by Degas and Rodin.

It's an impressive collection - and incredible to be able to view it all under one roof.

Downstairs, we did see some of the South Asian collection of sculpture, but didn't find it as compelling as the other art. We were feeling a bit filled up too.

So we headed outside to the gardens, and walked along the other path we'd missed before.

It lead us again back to the refreshments oasis where this time we sat down and had some drinks and split a couple of cookies. About $10.00 worth. Very peaceful and calm.

Back inside the main building, the Museum Shop is quite small - with the look and feel of very nicely done college book store. Lots of art books, a children's souvenir area, post cards, prints, framed prints, and large size posters of some of the more popular works of art. The best deal: framed prints of some of the art at the Norton Simon -- $36.00.

Overall, a really enjoyable visit to an outstanding collection of Art.

 

Wow.

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Norton Simon Museum
411 W. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91105-1825
[626] 449-6840

Just terrific. Perfect sized collection - easy to get around - familiar art is always a pleasure to look at -- and the outside gardens were a wonderful surprise. In my mind, this is what visiting a museum is all about.

On a side note, Megan receives an overall 'attagirl' award. We forget that she's only seven, and she's a real trooper on these visits. Where most kids in her age range would probably be climbing the walls, and complaining wildly, she makes a real effort to be patient and we try to find some reasons to make it fun for her.

I could have spent more time in the 19th Century gallery with van Gogh, Monet and Degas. I appreciated the history that was added to the standard title cards. A little bit of background helps to put the art in perspective historically. Overall, what a great museum.

If you bring your kids, you may want to have a meal before you go. The café is cute, I just found it surprising that there wasn't a more substantial restaurant or café. The store was pretty common. Most of the items you could find at any good bookstore, Zany Brainy, or The Museum Store.

It was very, very fun. I LOVED IT! I want to go back someday. I liked the picture of the dog, and the elephant sitting Indian style. I loved the garden area. It was very, very, very, very pretty. And the cheetah sculpture was cool.