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Press Kit:

"The Belle of San Marino: Introducing Arabella Huntington"
May 6, 2006 – June 25, 2006

An exhibition dedicated to the first lady of The Huntington—the wife of founder Henry E. Huntington—is long overdue. This is partly because Arabella Huntington was an intensely private person who left little of herself behind in San Marino after her death in 1924. “Belle,” as she was known to her family, did not leave any diaries or memoirs for historians to peruse. Even her letters are scarce. Her personal effects, including wardrobe, jewels, and a priceless art collection, were left to her son, who sold many items and donated others to the Metropolitan Museum in New York and the De Young Museum in San Francisco. However, portraits and surviving artifacts tell a great deal about Arabella’s lifestyle and the effort she put into creating—and controlling—her image. “The Belle of San Marino” will take a closer look at Arabella Huntington as revealed through her tastes for Paris couture and fine jewelry. Drawn from the collections of The Huntington and the De Young Museum, the exhibit will include portraits, photographs, lace, fans, hair ornaments, fashion plate illustrations, bills from Paris couturiers and from jewelers such as Cartier, Tiffany, and Boucheron, and related materials.

Press Release (pdf)

Gallery Guide (pdf)

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