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.
Art
The Huntington Acquires 18th-Century French Masterpiece by Antoine-François Callet
Wed., Aug. 28, 2024
The Huntington has acquired an ambitious, large-scale masterpiece by 18th-century French portraitist Antoine-François Callet, the official painter of Louis XVI. The work is the fourth in a series of acquisitions made possible by The Ahmanson Foundation.
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.
News
Diego Godoy Named Associate Curator of the California and Hispanic Collections
Tue., Aug. 20, 2024
The Huntington announced the appointment of Diego Godoy as the associate curator of the Library’s California and Hispanic collections. Godoy comes to The Huntington from Duke University Libraries, where he serves as librarian for Latin American, Iberian, and Latino Studies. He begins his new role on Aug. 26.
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.
Research
The Huntington’s Exchange Fellowships Partners Webinar
Tue., Aug. 13, 2024
Huntington Exchange Fellowship partners discuss the archives and collections available to prospective applicants and the application process.
Anatomy of a Reunion: Bringing Vesalius’ “Fabrica” Home
Tue., Aug. 6, 2024 | Joel A. Klein, Ph.D.
The Huntington has acquired a 1543 “Fabrica” by Andreas Vesalius, whose book revolutionized the field of anatomy. The volume’s reunion with the Los Angeles County Medical Association’s collection at The Huntington not only restores a cornerstone of medical history but fosters deeper connections among the Library’s medical treasures.
Overlooked: Thomas Young’s “Afro-American Freeman’s Light”
Tue., July 30, 2024 | Josh Garrett-Davis
Thomas Young’s 1896 volume of original poems and songs is among the few books by African American authors to have been published in the American West before the 20th century. Young’s as-yet-unheard voice belongs to the longer tradition of Black literature and, more broadly, American literature.
News
“Raqib Shaw: Ballads of East and West” to Showcase Fantastical Paintings
Thu., July 25, 2024
The Huntington will present the culmination of the national touring exhibition “Raqib Shaw: Ballads of East and West” from Nov. 16, 2024, through March 3, 2025. Raqib Shaw is a London-based artist known for opulent and fantastical works that blend Eastern and Western influences to create mesmerizing paintings that merge...
News
Annabel Adams Named Vice President of Communications and Marketing
Tue., July 23, 2024
The Huntington has appointed Annabel Adams to the position of vice president of communications and marketing. Recently serving as assistant dean of communications at UCLA’s School of Law, Adams has nearly two decades of experience leading communications and marketing teams in higher education, humanities, and legal and health-technology sectors.
The HMS “Challenger” Expedition: Illuminating Earth’s Darkest Abyss
Tue., July 23, 2024 | Natalie Lawler
The scientific voyage of the HMS “Challenger” nearly 150 years ago defined the field of modern oceanography and continues to inform climate change studies to this day. As both a global expedition and a staggering publication series, the “Challenger” synergized art, craft, and science to visualize Earth’s mysterious underwater world.