Thank you .. ‘Dirt du Jour’

for the glowing review! "Go ask Alice ... where all the best vineyard gardens are. She's an erudite charmer; you'll have fun!"
«  
HOME
  »
Historic Gardens

Getty Villa: Elegant Symmetry .. Echoes Ancient Rome

By Alice, on September 18th, 2010

Getty Villa … Malibu, California

Getty Villa Outer Peristyle Hedge and Pool © Alice Joyce

Located along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, the Getty Villa first opened in 1974 as the original J. Paul Getty Museum; the architecture of the site patterned after the Villa dei Papiri – a Roman country house dating to the first century. The Villa closed for renovation in 1997,  just as The Getty Center opened to great fanfare in Los Angeles.

Getty Villa Outer Peristyle Pool © Alice Joyce

After a 12-year closure, the cultural cognoscenti were abuzz by 2006 as The Getty Villa reopened with stunning exhibition spaces; presenting an unparalleled showcase for Greco-Roman & Etruscan antiquities. An overall stunning redesign by architects, Machado and Silvetti Associates of Boston received widespread praise.

Getty Villa Italian Stone Pine (Alice Joyce Photo)

An Italian Stone Pine graces an alcove near the entrance to the Getty Villa. In the skillfully balanced layout of the Outer Peristyle, pomegranate trees and Grecian laurels provide structure, abetted by sweet violets. The Outer Peristyle’s formal pool is edged in ivy topiaries, with Gallica, Damask and Musk roses creating background effects.

Getty Villa Trompe l’oeil Corridor © Alice Joyce

Long view of Outer Peristyle corridor  – ceiling adornment & inlaid design of walkways. Decorative paving emerges as another highlight in a circular seating area.

Getty Villa Decorative Paving  © Alice Joyce

Architectural embellishments link the interior of the Getty Villa Museum to the exterior spaces. An inlaid marble pattern replicates a floor in the ancient Villa dei Papiri, at the Villa’s Temple of Herakles.

Admission to the popular year-round destination is free, however, advance timed tickets are required.

Getty Villa Palms Outer Peristyle © Alice Joyce

The Outer Peristyle garden: Restored Tompe l’oeil detail pictured: Draped garlands, decorated columns and window cornices are among the peristyle’s ornate elements.

Getty Villa Trompe l’oeil Detail © Alice Joyce

The refined color palette of the Trompe l’oeil painting adds grace and beauty to the surroundings.

Getty Villa Inner Peristyle © Alice Joyce

The Inner Peristyle garden utilizes motifs from nature, such as Acanthus leaves. The intimate confines of this space center upon a lovely reflecting pool, with marble basins punctuating each corner of the garden.
Women drawn to a stream are replicated in the garden’s bronze sculptures.
Photo Below ~ Copyright Alice Joyce

Getty Villa Lion Fountain

The Lion Head Fountain adorns the Herb Garden, planted with medicinal, culinary, & species with religious significance. Fruit and fragrance meld here amid plums and limes, olive and quince, peach and fig trees; the earth blanketed in ground-c0vering lemon balm.

Read More… Getty Villa East Garden

Historic Gardens, Los Angeles, Southern California   , ,  

2 comments to Getty Villa: Elegant Symmetry .. Echoes of Ancient Rome

«  
HOME
  »