The Establishment of the Native American Indian Commission
Tue., Oct. 29, 2024 | Josh Garrett-Davis
The Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission, established almost 50 years ago, serves the needs of the largest urban Native American population in the United States. The Huntington’s records related to the commission’s founding reflect some of the complex histories of Indigenous people in Southern California.
A New Human Epoch
In conjunction with the “Storm Cloud” exhibition, The Huntington is hosting the research conference “Storm Cloud: Environment, Empire, and the Arts in the Industrial Age.” Scholars from a range of disciplines will examine how 19th-century artists and writers engaged with science and confronted the changes caused by the Industrial Revolution.
Restoring Edward Mitchell Bannister’s Rightful Place in Art History
Tue., Oct. 15, 2024 | Lauren Cross
In 1876, Edward Mitchell Bannister became the first African American artist to win a national award. The Huntington’s Lauren Cross writes about what motivated him, whom he credited for his success, and how he shifted from being a portraitist to a landscape artist.
Art
Mercedes Dorame: Everywhere Is West
Tue., Oct. 8, 2024 | Dennis Carr
In the spring of 2022, Tongva photographer Mercedes Dorame peered down at a tide pool on Santa Cruz Island, roughly 25 miles off the coast of California. Focusing her camera, she captured an image that provides a window into worlds.
The Orchids of Mexico and Guatemala
Tue., Oct. 1, 2024 | Natalie Lawler
A 19th-century book on Latin American orchids prompts a personal reflection on the vulnerability and resiliency of plants, the art of botanical illustration, and the power of portraits as markers of cultural memory.
Las orquídeas de México y Guatemala
Tue., Oct. 1, 2024 | Natalie Lawler
Un libro del siglo XIX sobre las orquídeas de Latinoamérica evoca una reflexión personal sobre la vulnerabilidad y la resiliencia de las plantas, el arte de la ilustración botánica y la poderosa función de los retratos como huellas perdurables de la memoria cultural.
The Obsession with Extra-Illustrating Books
Tue., Sept. 24, 2024 | Julie Park and Adam Smyth
In the 18th and 19th centuries, an obsession spread among bibliophiles for extra-illustrating or grangerizing books. Readers would supplement the pages of an already published book by inserting prints and related materials acquired from other sources. This process would often result in a huge expansion of the original volume.
What Lies Hidden Beneath Velasco’s “View of Tacubaya”
Tue., Sept. 17, 2024 | Dennis Carr
When Velasco’s painting arrived at The Huntington, a few lines of printed text could be seen at the bottom of the work. Infrared reflectography, a process that can detect layers of detail not visible to the naked eye, has revealed what lies beneath the painting’s surface.
Art
The Art and Science of Close Observation
Tue., Sept. 10, 2024 | Andrew Kersey
The exhibitions “Storm Cloud: Picturing the Origins of Our Climate Crisis” and “Growing and Knowing in the Gardens of China” trace the dovetailing histories of the relationship between humans and the environment and emphasize the significant role that close observation has played in art, science, and ethics.
Pasadena Views from an Ill-Fated Balloon Ride
Tue., Sept. 3, 2024 | Jason Pearl
What may be the first aerial photographs of Pasadena, captured in 1909, were the product of a risky—almost disastrous—undertaking. When photographer Harold A. Parker was on the balloon American, he took photos of the city from the air. But the journey became harrowing when the balloon flew off course.
Giant Water Lilies Afloat at The Huntington
Tue., Aug. 27, 2024 | Sandy Masuo
More than a century has passed since the iconic Victoria water lily last graced The Huntington’s botanical collections. Today, you’ll find these intriguing tropical giants growing in the basin of the North Vista’s fountain and in the Lily Ponds on the south side of the property.
Raising Awareness about the Illegal Plant Trade
Tue., Aug. 13, 2024 | Sandy Masuo
Provenance, or the ownership history of a valued item, is generally associated with works of art. But plant provenance has become increasingly important as theft from botanical collections and the wild escalates. In response, The Huntington has joined an international working group focused on raising awareness of the problem.