The Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena is one of the best-kept secrets in Southern California art, a museum with a collection that rivals many much bigger institutions and a pace that lets you actually look. It grew out of the private collection of the industrialist Norton Simon, who spent decades acquiring masterpieces with a collector's confidence and an unusual eye for quality. The result is a concentrated tour of European art from the Renaissance to the twentieth century, with Rembrandt, Rubens, Zurbarán, Goya, Van Gogh, Degas and Picasso among the names on the walls, and a second collection of South and Southeast Asian sculpture that is among the finest in the country. Outdoors, a landscaped sculpture garden, planted in a style inspired by Monet's Giverny, makes the visit feel like a day out rather than a march through galleries.
The European collection is the reason most people come. The Impressionist and Post-Impressionist rooms are especially strong, with Van Gogh's portrait of the peasant Patience Escalier, Renoir, Manet and Monet, and a remarkable group of works by Edgar Degas that includes a cast of his Little Dancer Aged Fourteen, the wax-original-based sculpture of the young ballet student who scandalized Paris.
Earlier rooms hold Old Master paintings with real depth: Rembrandt's portraits, Zurbarán's still life of lemons, oranges and a rose, and Spanish, Flemish and Italian work that rewards a slow walk. Twentieth-century galleries bring in Picasso and the German Expressionists. What makes the museum special is how digestible it is; you can see the best of it in a couple of hours without fatigue.
The South Asian collection is a surprise and a highlight. Sculptures of Hindu and Buddhist deities from India and Southeast Asia, many centuries old, are displayed in a gallery that shows them in the dignified light they deserve, and the quality is world-class. It is a part of the museum that many first-time visitors skip and later describe as their favorite.
The sculpture garden, designed by Nancy Goslee Power, includes a pond with water lilies and bridges that echo Monet's garden, and works by Rodin and Henry Moore sit among the planting. A café on site makes it easy to extend the visit through lunch.
Practicals and fit
The museum is at 411 West Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, about ten miles from downtown Los Angeles, with parking and a Metro stop in reach. Plan two to three hours. It is closed on a couple of weekdays each week, so confirm hours before you leave. Pasadena itself is a pleasure: Old Pasadena's shops and restaurants, the Gamble House, the Huntington nearby and the Rose Bowl make this a natural day out.
If your Los Angeles itinerary already includes the Getty and the Broad, the Norton Simon is the quieter third course, and it appeals particularly to those who prefer to look at a handful of masterpieces rather than hundreds of works.
A good order for the visit is paintings first, sculpture second and garden last. Begin with the European galleries while your attention is fresh, move into the Asian rooms for contrast, then finish outdoors with a coffee. Audio guides are available, and the labels are clear and generous. Because the museum is not crowded, you can return to a favorite painting after a lap, which is a luxury the biggest museums rarely offer.
What to expect
The experience
A compact museum of European masterpieces and South Asian sculpture in Pasadena, with a landscaped sculpture garden and a café. Buy admission through the venue's site.
Best time
Weekday afternoons, when the galleries are close to empty.
How long
Two to three hours.
Tips
Confirm the weekly closing days before you go. Do not skip the South Asian galleries or the garden, and pair the visit with a wander through Old Pasadena.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Masterpieces without the crowds.
- Families
- Older children who like painting; the garden helps.
- Couples
- A gentle art afternoon followed by dinner in Old Pasadena.
- Pair with
- The Huntington, the Gamble House or Old Pasadena.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
What are the highlights of the collection?+
Van Gogh's portrait of Patience Escalier, a cast of Degas's Little Dancer Aged Fourteen, Rembrandt, Zurbarán and Picasso, plus a fine South Asian sculpture collection.
Is the sculpture garden worth it?+
Yes. The garden, planted in a style inspired by Monet's Giverny, features a lily pond, bridges and sculptures by Rodin and Henry Moore.
How long does a visit take?+
Most visitors need two to three hours.
When is the museum closed?+
It closes on a few weekdays each week, so confirm hours before you go.
Where is it and how do I get there?+
The museum is on West Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, about ten miles from downtown Los Angeles. Parking is on site and public transit options are available.
