The Norton Simon Museum begins with the original name of the Pasadena Art Institute. The Institute was founded in 1922 and incorporated two years later on August 14, 1924 as a nonprofit. The goals of the Institution were to establish and maintain a museum and library of art while encouraging the study of fine arts. In April 1942, the Institute merged with the one-year-old Pasadena Museum of Art. This allowed them to establish their headquarters in one of the galleries of the Grace Nicholson Studios. In 1953 The Pasadena Art Institute received a gift of almost 500 artworks from the estate of Galka E. Scheyer. Galka Scheyer represented the artists Kandinsky, Klee, Jawlensky and Feininger. This gift made the Institute “one of the richest institutions in the world in this aspect of modern art.”
In April of 1954, the Institute changed its name to the “Pasadena Art Museum” and concentrated on exhibiting modern art. In 1973 it became the “Pasadena Museum of Modern Art” to reflect its mission to exhibit modern art and education. During this time the Museum incurred a lot of debt due to construction on the Museum. After years of struggle the museum reached a deal with Norton Simon to help take on their financial obligations. This was a pivotal moment for the museum. In October 1975 the museum changed it’s name to The Norton Simon Museum of Art at Pasadena.
Today the Norton Simon Museum is known around the world as one of the most exceptional private art collections. Throughout a 30 year period Norton Simon assembled a breathtaking collection of European art from the Renaissance to the 20th century and an extraordinary collection of South and Southeast Asian art spanning 2,000 years. Some of the most acclaimed works he collected include The Mulberry Tree, 1889, by Vincent van Gogh (seen below), Little Dancer Aged Fourteen, 1878081, by Edgar Degas (seen below), Woman with a book, 1932, by Pablo Picasso, and Branchini Madonna, 1472, by Giovanni di Paolo. Featured in the asian collection.
The Museum offers several free public programs per month, including scholarly lectures and symposia, adult education courses, music and dance performances and hands-on activities for children. Private tours are available by reservation. You can find more information on the museum here.
Our team went to The Norton Simon Museum this last Wednesday. The art collection in the museum was astonishing, our favorite being The Mulberry Tree. The gardens on the ground offer great sculptures and peaceful places to enjoy the outside views. We look forward to visiting again.
By Torrey Felber, Marketing Director at Town Square Real Estate
[email protected]
858-829-5054
