J. Paul Getty Museum

Location: Los Angeles, CA
Overview:
The Getty Center, located in the hills of Los Angeles, opened in 1997—but its roots go back further. It originated as the J. Paul Getty Museum, founded in 1974 and based on the personal collection of oil magnate J. Paul Getty. The original museum was housed in Getty’s estate in Malibu, but as the collection grew, so did the need for a larger space—leading to the creation of the Getty Center.

Today, the Getty Center seamlessly blends art, architecture, and gardens. Its holdings include over 40,000 pieces, ranging from European paintings and sculptures to manuscripts, photography, and antiquities. The museum is home to masterpieces by artists such as Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and da Vinci, and has become a globally recognized cultural institution. The surrounding gardens offer a serene and stunning setting where visitors can experience a harmony of art and nature.

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On a Sunday afternoon, after exploring the Rose Bowl Flea Market, we finally made our way to the Getty Center—perched high on the Los Angeles hills, and long on our list of places to visit.

As we rushed in with closing time approaching, we were greeted by powerful Italian sculptures that instantly brought to mind the dramatic atmosphere of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. It was tempting to stop and admire them, but we had a different goal in mind: to see Van Gogh’s Irises, a painting deeply influenced by Japanese ukiyo-e prints.

With that in mind, we pulled ourselves away and pressed forward.

Unlike many museums in Japan, here you can view iconic works of art up close—almost as if you're bathing in them. The thrill of that experience led us to grab more than a few souvenirs in the gift shop. And yes, I made sure to pick up a Van Gogh bookmark for myself.