Event

Members Exhibition Preview - “Don Bachardy: A Life in Portraits”

Members can preview this retrospective exhibition of the prolific Los Angeles artist before it opens to the public.

Not a Member? Join now for a year of wonderful benefits including exclusive access to this event.

Don Bachardy (b. 1934) is known for creating distinctive portraits of generations of artistic, literary, and film personalities. The exhibition “Don Bachardy: A Life in Portraits” includes more than 100 graphite and acrylic works on paper, many of which have never been exhibited, as well as archival materials, including letters and photographs.

Additional Info

  • This exhibition preview is open to Huntington Members with general admission reservations.
  • Capacity is limited and reservations are required.

Questions or accessibility needs? Contact the Membership office at membership@huntington.org.

A painted portrait of a man with white hair wearing a blue tank top.

Don Bachardy, Self-portrait 08-08-18, 2018, acrylic on paper, 29 × 23 in. Don Bachardy Papers.  | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. © Don Bachardy, 2018. 

A black-and-white photo of a young man in a suit getting an autograph from Marylin Monroe.

Ted Bachardy, Don and Marilyn Monroe, 3 1/2 × 3 1/2 in. Don Bachardy Papers. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.

A handwritten letter on stationery from “Hotel Chelsea New York.”

Don Bachardy, Letter to Christopher Isherwood January 26, 1964, 1964 January 26, 9 1/2 × 5 15/16 in. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. © Don Bachardy, 1964.

A polaroid photo of a group of men near the ocean.

Unknown, Chris and Don on Catalina Trip, 1976, 4 1/4 × 3 1/2 in. Christopher Isherwood Papers. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.

A black-and-white photo of two men in a living room, sitting behind a coffee table filled with books.

David Hockney, Don Bachardy and Christopher Isherwood, 1968 March 30, 3 1/2 × 5 in. Christopher Isherwood Papers. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Photo credit: David Hockney. © David Hockney.

A black-and-white painting of a man.

Don Bachardy, Isherwood, Christopher 06-20-79, 1979, acrylic on paper, 26 × 20 in. Don Bachardy Papers. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. © Don Bachardy, 1979.

A painted portrait of a woman with exaggerated features.

Don Bachardy, Martin, Crystal 03-05-03, 2003, 26 × 20 in. Howarth & Smith Collection. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. © Don Bachardy, 2003.

A pencil and ink drawing of a man with his hand on his chin.

Don Bachardy, Baldwin, James 01-23-64, 1964, pencil and ink, 29 × 23 in. Don Bachardy Papers. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. © Don Bachardy, 2018. 

A painted portrait of a man with white hair wearing a green shirt.

Don Bachardy, Hilton, Tim 05-30-17, 2017, acrylic on paper, 29 × 23 in. Don Bachardy Papers. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. © Don Bachardy, 2017. 

A black pen and ink drawing, on white paper, of a woman with her head on her hand.

Don Bachardy, West, Jennifer, 1963, pen and ink, 22 1/2 × 17 1/2 in. Don Bachardy Papers. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. © Don Bachardy, 1963. 

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A painted portrait of a man with white hair wearing a blue tank top.
A black-and-white photo of a young man in a suit getting an autograph from Marylin Monroe.
A handwritten letter on stationery from “Hotel Chelsea New York.”
A polaroid photo of a group of men near the ocean.
A black-and-white photo of two men in a living room, sitting behind a coffee table filled with books.
A black-and-white painting of a man.
A painted portrait of a woman with exaggerated features.
A pencil and ink drawing of a man with his hand on his chin.
A painted portrait of a man with white hair wearing a green shirt.
A black pen and ink drawing, on white paper, of a woman with her head on her hand.