September at the Getty,

A world of art, research, conservation, and philanthropy

Installation view of Power and Pathos exhibition, in the foreground left to right: Victorious Athlete, 300–100 B.C. (The J. Paul Getty Museum) and Seated Boxer, 300–200 B.C. (Museo Nazionale Romano—Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Rome)

OPENING THIS MONTH

Louis Style: French Frames, 1610–1792

September 15, 2015–January 3, 2016 | The Getty Center

This exhibition presents exquisite carved and gilded picture frames from five periods—Louis XIII, Louis VIV, Régence, Louis XV, and Louis XVI. Drawn from the Museum's collection, the array demonstrates luxurious French design, ornament, craftsmanship, and construction and gilding techniques. This exhibition, along with other displays at the Getty, commemorates the 300th anniversary of the death of Louis XIV, France's magnificent Sun King.

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Continuing This Month

Arundel Head (Sophocles?), 200–1 B.C. Bronze and copper. The British Museum. Courtesy of and © The Trustees of the British Museum

Power and Pathos: Bronze Sculpture of the Hellenistic World

Through November 1, 2015 | The Getty Center

This exhibition brings together 50 of the most important bronzes from antiquity. Typically shown as isolated masterpieces, the sculptures in this unprecedented gathering highlight the physical power and emotional intensity created in bronze by artists around the ancient Mediterranean..

This exhibition was organized by the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi in Florence, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. with the participation of the Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Toscana.

Bank of America is the National Sponsor of this touring exhibition. The exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. The Los Angeles presentation is also supported by the Getty Museum's Villa Council, Vera R. Campbell Foundation, and the A.G. Leventis Foundation.

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In the Box/Out of the Box, , 1971, William Wegman. Gelatin silver prints. The J. Paul Getty Museum. © William Wegman

In Focus: Animalia

Through October 18, 2015 | The Getty Center

Ever since the medium of photography was invented in 1839, people have been enchanted by images of animals. Drawing on the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum, this exhibition traces the relationship between animals in photographs and the rapidly advancing technology of photography. From the wild dogs of South Africa to William Wegman's photogenic Weimaraners, animals on film are moving, sympathetic, and sometimes tragic figures.

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CLOSING THIS MONTH

Light, Paper, Process: Reinventing Photography
Through September 6, 2015 | The Getty Center

A Kingdom of Images: French Prints in the Age of Louis XIV, 1660–1715
Through September 6, 2015 | The Getty Center

Andrea del Sarto: The Renaissance Workshop in Action
Through Septmber 13, 2015 | The Getty Center

Touching the Past: The Hand and the Medieval Book
Through Septmber 27, 2015 | The Getty Center

Performances

(Cast, clockwise): Justin Huen (Hason), Sabina Zuniga Varela (Medea), VIVIS (Tita), Anthony Gonzalez (Acan). Photo: Craig Schwartz

Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles

Thursdays–Saturdays, September 10–October 3, 8:00 p.m.
Tickets on sale now | The Getty Villa

Enjoy an evening of theater under the stars at the Getty Villa!

A new adaptation by Luis Alfaro
Based on Euripides's Medea
Directed by Jessica Kubzansky
Produced by The Theatre @ Boston Court

Experience an innovative reimagining of Euripides's Medea, transported to modern-day East Los Angeles, in an outdoor venue modeled after ancient Greek and Roman theaters. Medea's struggle to adapt to life in the U.S. takes a disastrous turn when old and new worlds meet in the City of Angels. Tickets $36–45.

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Round out your evening with a variety of dining options, ranging from a la carte and hors d'oeuvres to a specially designed three-course menu »

Mac McCaughan. Photo: Lissa Gotwals

Saturdays Off the 405: Mac McCaughan + The Non-Believers

Saturday, September 19, 6:00–9:00 p.m. | The Getty Center

Iconic indie-rocker Mac McCaughan is known for his signature impassioned vocals and buzzy guitar as a founding member of the intrepid Chapel Hill–band Superchunk. McCaughan appears at the Getty in support of his deeply personal solo record of gorgeous pop songs, the first released under his own name in his 25-year career. Free, no ticket required.

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Talks

Weary Herakles (detail), A.D. 1–100. Bronze, copper, and silver. Museo Archeologico Nazionale dell'Abruzzo Villa Frigerj. Su gentile concessione della Direzione Regionale per i Beni Culturali e Paesaggistici dell'Abruzzo: Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici dell'Abruzzo—Chieti

Ancient Bronzes as Art Objects: Roman Collectors and "Corinthian Bronzes"

Wednesday, September 2, 7:00 p.m. | The Getty Center

Chris Hallett, professor of Roman art at UC Berkeley, explores how the collecting of ancient bronzes by wealthy Romans impacted the form and use of statuettes known as "Corinthian Bronzes." Free, advance ticket required.

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The Scribe Petros and his Pupils (detail), 1386, Unknown, Armenian. Black ink and watercolors on paper bound between wood boards covered with dark brown kidskin. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig II 6, fol. 13v

The Once and Future Book: On the Nature of Reading

Sunday, September 20, 3:00 p.m. | The Getty Center

How has reading changed from the Middle Ages to the latest digital technologies? Did readers of manuscripts have a different relationship to the written word than readers of tablets and iPads? Kathryn Rudy, senior lecturer in art history at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, and Steve Wasserman, editor-at-large at Yale University Press, discuss the nature of reading-—past, present, and future. Free, advance ticket required.

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Paul Goldberger. Photo: Michael Lionstar

Building Art: Paul Goldberger and James Cuno on Frank Gehry

Sunday, September 27, 7:00 p.m | The Getty Center

Paul Goldberger, the Pulitzer Prize–winning architecture critic, and James Cuno, president and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust, discuss Getty Medal recipient Frank Gehry. Goldberger's new biography, Building Art: The Life and Work of Frank Gehry, goes beyond the buildings that have transformed contemporary architecture to consider the man, his life, and his creative genius.

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Courses

Trompe-l'œil Drawing Workshop

Saturday, September 12, 1:00–4:30 p.m. | The Getty Villa

Learn how to create a composition using perspectival and optical illusion that suggests a three-dimensional space with artist Elmira Adamian. The technique of trompe-l'œil (French for "deceive the eye") dates back to antiquity and was often employed in frescoes. Explore the wall paintings at the Getty Villa and create your own illusionistic drawings with pastels. Open to 24 participants. Course fee $45 (includes materials). Complimentary parking. Advance ticket required.

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Portrait of a Man, 100–1 B.C. Bronze. Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici di Napoli. Su concessione del Ministero dei Beni e delle Attività Culturali e del Turismo - Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici di Napoli - Foto Giorgio Albano

Portrait Sculpting: Power and Pathos

Sunday, September 20, 10:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | The Getty Center

Join Peter Zokosky for a daylong intensive portrait-sculpting workshop inspired by the power and beauty of Hellenistic bronze sculptures. Sculpt a half-scale portrait head from a live model. Technical guidance, methods, tools, and materials provided. Each participant will take home a sculpted head in non-drying, oil-based clay. Appropriate for all levels from beginners to experienced sculptors. Course fee $135 (includes materials and lunch). Complimentary parking. Advance ticket required.

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For a complete list of daily activities at the Getty Center and Getty Villa, please see our event calendar »

From The Getty Store

The Colorful World of Irises

This twist-barrel, refillable ballpoint pen, in a handsome velvet-lined gift box, features a detail from one of the J. Paul Getty Museum's most popular paintings: Irises by Vincent van Gogh. Each one of Van Gogh's irises is unique. He carefully studied their movements and shapes to create a variety of curved silhouettes bounded by wavy, twisting, and curling lines.

Shop more items inspired by the collection now »

Highlights at a Glance—September

JM Courtyard