Glassware in space, going bald in Ancient Rome, a senior curator’s favorite drawing

Kuttrolfen in space

This week, your Frequently Asked Art Question was about a unique wine decanter that’s boldly gone where few other 4th-century designs have gone before.

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“A more intense self-portrait”

In Getty’s Close Looking series, senior curator of drawings Julian Brooks discusses the fine details that make this drawing his favorite in Getty’s collection.

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Going bald in ancient Rome

“Be assured that nothing is more pleasing,
but nothing shorter-lived.”

—Emperor Domitian, on having hair

Curling irons, hair dye, and public ridicule: losing your hair in antiquity was rough.

Read more about the struggle here
 

The Getty Museum acquires 17 new drawings

Included amongst them are: an exceptional pastel by Eva Gonzalès, an important nude by Edgar Degas, and a rare genre scene by Guercino. Several new works will be on display in the Getty Center’s West Pavilion on May 21.

Find out more
 

Poetry in the Garden

Wednesdays, through May 29, from 2 to 3pm

Central Garden

Join us for a unique series of live readings set among Robert Irwin’s Central Garden, featuring poetic voices of Los Angeles:

May 8: Senon Williams*
May 15: Jessa Calderon
May 22: Ariana Reines*
May 29: Yesika Salgado

*Live musical soundscapes by Eddie Ruscha

Learn more and plan your visit
 

Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Getty Center with Garden Tea

Tuesday, May 7 through Sunday, May 12, from 2 to 3pm

The Restaurant

Enjoy a special menu of savory and sweet snacks with tea on the Restaurant terrace and take home a recipe book to enjoy all the tea items at home.

Make reservations here
 

Artist-at-Work: Performing Bayard

Sunday, May 5, from 11am to 12:30pm

Museum Courtyard

Join photographer Francesco Fragomeni as he recreates Hippolyte Bayard’s famed photograph, Le Noyé [The Drowned Man] (1840), using Bayard’s own invention—the direct positive process.

Learn more and plan your visit

Archaeology, Museums, and War: Strategies for the 21st Century

Sunday, May 5, at 4pm

Auditorium

Heritage destruction during wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and more recent conflicts have vastly increased the obligation of scholars to help preserve the art and material culture of antiquity.

Classical archaeologist C. Brian Rose has first-hand experience with destruction and preservation efforts in conflict zones. 

Learn more and plan your visit
 

Food for the Gods: Cacao and the Ancient Maya

Wednesdays, through May 29, from 2 to 3pm

Central Garden

Modern lovers of chocolate may not be aware that they owe their favorite treat to the Maya and other Indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica. Join anthropologist Oswaldo Chinchilla Mazariegos as he explores the many meanings of the cacao plant in ancient Maya culture.

Lean more and get free tickets

Sun Print: Family Workshop

Select Sundays, April 14 through June 30,

at 11am

Getty Center

Harness the power of the sun to make one-of-a-kind photographic prints called cyanotypes by arranging flowers, leaves, and stencils on light-sensitive material. No cameras required to make these fun, family-friendly keepsakes!

Learn more and plan your visit
 

When a window frames a view just so, turning it into a work of art…

From Get Inspired subscriber Aatika Singh: a window in the Shrine Dastgeer Sahib overlooking the city of Srinagar, Kashmir.

Have a window-framed scene “hanging” on your wall? Did you snap one somewhere else? Send us the photo! Include your name, camera used, location, and anything else you’d like to share. stories@getty.edu