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It should go without saying that I just love museums. The silent portraits of history hanging on the wall, the sculptures and statues, waiting to be observed and admired. Hoping to inspire and illuminate each and every person strolling by.

Claude Monet. The Artist’s Garden at Vetheuil. 1881.

Mary’s coronation as Queen of Heaven. 1444.

For me, to truly appreciate each exhibition, I set aside at least half the day for my visit. This gives me time to read the information on the pieces that are of particular interest and or sit in front of a piece for awhile to take it all in. They have a small snack bar outside by the small pond, surrounded by shrubs and trees. Note; if you try to take in a water bottle, umbrella or any object they think might pose some sort of problem, it will be taken away from you, stored at the security desk then you are given a ticket to pick it up upon your departure.

Inner pond area close to snack bar.

Outside entrance to museum.

The Norton Simon Museum, which comprises more than 11,000 objects, contains a significant permanent collection which is highly regarded internationally. The Norton Simon collections include: European paintings, sculptures, and tapestries; Asia sculptures, paintings, and woodblock prints; and sculpture gardens displaying many sculptors’ work in a landscape setting around a large pond. The museum contains the Norton Simon Theater which shows film programs daily, and hosts lectures, symposia, and dance and musical performances year-round. The museum is located along the route of the Tournament of Rose’s Parade, where its distinctive, brown tile-exterior can be seen in the background on TV.

Wikipedia

Vincent Van Gogh The Mulberry Tree 1889

Beauregard Madonna, c. 1455 Attributed to Desiderio da Settignano

Bodhisattva Maitreya, 2nd-3rd century Pakistan: Ancient Gandhara, 100-299

Walking through each exhibit my eyes travel around the room, taking in the whole view. Then deciding which direction to start my campaign, it begins. Each painting, sculpture and statue invokes something different to the viewer. So much to see, so little time.

Maggie