I have definitely heard of the Getty Museum.  It has been open since 1997 in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles.  To view the grounds alone is mind blowing, with it’s expansive well groomed campus, home to 5 modern marble block buildings housing extensive collections of fine art dating all periods of Greek and Italian masters.

To see the extent of the collections, which rotate – so you never see all of it, is stunning.  Portraits (or busts) of both famous and simple persons of centuries before, bestowing their wealth and stature; paintings dating back to Before Christ (BC); figurines of great importance and talent; photographs; and wood carvings.

In a world where there is so much vanity, and ‘cheap’ entertainment, it is a welcome retreat to see such ‘real’ art.  The museum is akin to any great museum you might find in Europe.  It is extremely diverse, wide and varied in it’s mediums and artists.  Where else can you see items of such historical significance?

In so many ways, it doesn’t seem like such a place should exist.  The history portrayed here is of Europe (much of it Italy) artifacts, not US.   But then, US has very little of our own history… we are all after all, mostly descended from Europe.   J Paul Getty, with all his wealth, fell in love with the Italian villas, and fascinated with Pompeii and the vast mosaics, artifacts, and history.  So much in fact, that he wanted to share it with his fellow Americans… hence the Getty Museum.

Much of it is very religious is tone.  But irregardless of your religious affiliations… it is definitely a sight to see.