The San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA) houses art objects created before our era and modern exhibits. He has preserved the rich heritage of Southern California. According to statistics, the attraction is visited by about half a million people a year, including foreign tourists.
History of creation
The institution opened in February 1926, initially it was a fine arts gallery. The building is designed in the early Renaissance Plateresque style, which was chosen primarily to blend in with other facilities. The facade is decorated with an ornate door.
The construction work took 2 years, and was funded by Appleton S. Bridges, who later donated the facility to the municipality. A little later, the west wing was added, which adorns the sculptural courtyard. In 1974, the east wing was added. After another 4 years, the name of the attraction changed to the San Diego Art Museum, which is still relevant. In 2015, a renovation project was launched, which was completed in 2017.
Short description
The collection covers the period from 5,000 BC to 2012. The permanent collection includes 20,000 items. The sisters Ann, Amy and Irene Putnam had a great influence on the development of the San Diego Art Museum, who provided financial support to the institution. Thanks to their help, Francisco Goya's "Marquise de Sofraga" and Diego Velazquez's portrait of Infanta Margarita of Spain appeared here. They also donated Peter Paul Rubens' "Allegory of Eternity" to the museum.
The San Diego Art Museum features works by Mary Cassatt, one of the 3 "grand ladies of Impressionism", a friend of Edgar Degey, portrait painter John Singer Sargent, Georgia O'Keeffe, known for her contribution to the development of modernism, as well as Russian and German painter Alexei von Yavlensky and others.
For ease of perception, the collections are divided by historical periods, and exhibitions from all over the world are regularly held here. Visitors can participate in cultural and community programs. Every spring, a performance exhibition "Living Art" is organized, in which floral designers create compositions inspired by the permanent exhibits of SDMA.
How to get
The San Diego Museum of Art is located in Balboa Park, and you can take public transport to the tour: for example, by bus No7, 120 or Rapid 215. A free tram runs through the area, which stops near the attractions. You can get into it at the Inspiration Point, Federal, and Organ Pavilion parking areas. Visitors also arrive by taxi or rented car.
Admission to the San Diego Art Museum is free for up to 12 years old, students, military personnel and the elderly over the age of 65 receive a discount when buying a ticket. The museum is usually open on weekdays except Wednesday and Saturday from 10.00 to 17.00, on Sunday from 12.00 to 17.00. It is closed on Wednesdays and public holidays. The schedule may change, so it is recommended to clarify the schedule when planning a visit. It may take 2-3 hours to inspect the most significant exposures, and more time is needed for a more detailed dive.
Gallery
