Norton Simon Museum
Pasadena
December 4, 2016
We met up with Kathleen, Meredith’s sister, to spend an afternoon at the Norton Simon Museum. This museum has an extensive and good quality collection of European art, and we toured those galleries first. Meredith enjoyed the Degas works particularly, both paintings and sculpture. Bob’s eye was caught by a Georges Lacombe painting, the Chestnut Gatherers. We both liked the Baciccio painting, Saint Joseph and the Infant Christ, so we picked up a packet of Christmas cards with a reproduction of it in the gift shop.
Kathleen will be teaching a comparative religion course next term and found material of interest in both the European and Asian art sections. The Asian art collection is extensive, and consists largely of religious statues.
The museum is a good size — compact enough to see the collection in one visit, but large enough to contain its considerable collection and show it to good advantage. The interior galleries, redesigned by architect Frank Gehry in the 1990’s, are light and airy.
The sculpture gardens are a treat to explore and something that sets this museum apart. As you approach, the path to the entrance is flanked by Rodin sculptures, including the Burghers of Calais. Inside the museum is another sculpture garden, around a lily pond, with lovely trees and other plantings. The stroll around the pond is as much a part of the museum experience here as strolling through the interior galleries.
Admission is $12 for adults, $9 for seniors. Children and students are free. Wheelchair access is good. Parking is free.
There is a cafe at the museum, outside by the lily pond, but we met up with Kathleen for brunch at a local coffeehouse in Pasadena first, Copa Vida. We all enjoyed our meals.
The day before we went to the Norton Simon, we drove up to Pasadena to stay the night and went out to a local theater, the Sierra Madre Playhouse, to see “A Little House Christmas.” As the name suggests, the play is based on the Laura Ingalls Wilder stories and features the Ingalls family preparing for and celebrating Christmas. We love the books and thoroughly enjoyed the play, which is based on stories in the books, primarily in Little House on the Prairie. Rights are owned by the Little House Heritage Trust. The actors were very good, and the production was engaging — funny at points, and poignant at other times. We would definitely see this show again and hope to see other theaters produce it.