J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles (must see)

Established in 1954, the J. Paul Getty Museum, located at the Getty Center, stands as a prominent cultural institution in Los Angeles. Renowned for its distinctive architectural design featuring lofty skylights, it boasts an extensive and impressive collection of European and American art, sculptures, photographs, ancient manuscripts, and decorative arts. Notably, it houses a remarkable selection of Italian manuscripts dating from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

In 1982, the museum gained international attention for becoming the world's wealthiest art institution, inheriting a staggering sum of US$1.2 billion. A year later, in 1983, during a period of economic hardship in West Germany, the Getty Museum made a significant acquisition by obtaining 144 illuminated medieval manuscripts from the financially troubled Ludwig Collection in Aachen. This remarkable collection was described by John Russell in the New York Times as "one of the finest holdings of its kind ever assembled" and, importantly, the most significant in private hands at that time.

In addition to the Getty Center, the J. Paul Getty Museum also operates the Getty Villa, another noteworthy location. The Getty Villa showcases Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities within an architectural setting inspired by ancient Roman design. These artifacts are thoughtfully displayed amidst Roman-style gardens. Between 2016 and 2018, the museum reorganized its collection in a chronological arrangement, placing emphasis on art-historical themes, enriching the visitor's experience.

Why You Should Visit:
The Getty not only has a stunning art collection but is also an almost unique place to look at the whole of Los Angeles at once.
They have some of the finest, most recognizable paintings in the world for those who don't follow art too closely.

Tip:
Covering the whole museum is near impossible, so targeted your visit(s) and focus on certain exhibits.
Make sure you save time to walk the grounds and gardens (sunsets are to die for); in other words, plan on spending a leisurely day there.