WELCOME Timken Museum of Art
Affectionately known as San Diego’s “jewel box” of fine art, the Timken Museum of Art in San Diego’s historic Balboa Park is home to the Putnam Foundation’s significant collection of European old masters, 19th century American art and Russian icons. The collection also includes the only Rembrandt painting on public display in San Diego. Considered one of the finest small museums in the world, the Timken Museum of Art, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2015, provides visitors with an accessible and enriching cultural experience featuring a beautiful collection, intimate surroundings and perennially free admission.
The Museum Hours Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sundays 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays and all major holidays it is closed For more information visit timkenmuseum.org or call (619) 239-5548.
Timken Museum of Art | San Diego
Opened in 1965
History
information visit timkenmuseum.org or call (619) 239-5548. In an effort to secure the Putnam Foundation Collection for San Follow on Facebook at Timken Art, Twitter at @ Diego, Amesussecured financial support Museum from the of Ohio-based Timken TimkenMuseum, Instagram at Timken Museum of Art and Pinterest at family of the Timken roller bearing fame to help build a new gallery Timken Museum of Art. for San Diego. The institution first opened its doors to the public in October 1965. The institution was named the Timken Art Gallery In an effort to secure the Putnam Foundation Collection for San (now the Timken Museum of Art) because of the very generous Diego, Ames secured financial support from the Ohio-based Timken contributions the Timken family had made to the cultural life of San family of the Timken roller bearing fame to help build a new gallery Diego. for San Diego. The institution first opened its doors to the public in October 1965. The institution was named the Timken Art Gallery (now the Timken Museum of Art) because of the very generous contributions the the Timken family had made to theand cultural life of San In the years between Foundation’s establishment the opening Diego. of the museum, the Putnam Foundation Collection paintings remained on loan to institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the National Gallery in Washington, DC, and Harvard University’s Fogg Art Museum. In 1965, the paintings In the years between the Foundation’s establishment and the opening were reunited, and hung in their new permanent quarters at the of the museum, the Putnam Foundation Collection paintings Timken. Located on the Prado in San Diego’s beautiful Balboa remained on loan to institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum Park, the museum displays more than 60 extraordinary artworks, of Art in New York City, the National Gallery in Washington, DC, predominantly paintings augmented by a small holding of sculpture and Harvard University’s Fogg Art Museum. In 1965, the paintings and decorative art objects. were reunited, and hung in their new permanent quarters at the Timken. Located on the Prado in San Diego’s beautiful Balboa Park, the museum displays more than 60 extraordinary artworks, paintings augmented by a small of sculpture Thepredominantly works in the Putnam Foundation Collection areholding primarily in and decorative objects. old master paintings, 18th and 19ththree distinct areas:art European century American art, and Russian icons. Each collection boasts unique and priceless representations of the specific genre. Notable works in the collection include Rembrandt’s Saint Bartholomew (the The works in the Putnam Foundation Collection are primarily in only painting by the Dutch artist on public display in San Diego); three distinct areas: European old master paintings, 18th and 19thPieter Bruegel the Elder’s Parable of the Sower; John Singleton century American art, and Russian icons. Each collection boasts Copley’s Portrait of Mrs. Thomas Gage; Eastman Johnson’s classic The unique and priceless representations of the specific genre. Notable Cranberry Harvest, Island of Nantucket; and Jean-Baptiste-Camille works in the collection include Rembrandt’s Saint Bartholomew (the Corot’s View of Volterra. The Timken is open Tuesday through
Timken TimkenMuseum MuseumofofArt Art| San | SanDiego Dieo
mid-century modern
Architecture
Timken MuseumTimken of Art Museum today stands of Artontoday a prime stands on a prime location in Balboa location Park’s in Plaza Balboa de Panama, Park’s Plaza the de sitePanama, the site of an important, of butantemporary, important,edifice but temporary, for the 1915 edifice for the 1915 Panama-California Panama-California Exposition. ThatExposition. structure, That the structure, the Home EconomyHome Building Economy designed Building by architect designed by architect Carleton Winslow, Carleton was demolished Winslow, was in 1963. demolished The in 1963. The Timken is arguably Timken the second is arguably most the important second midmost important midcentury buildingcentury in San building Diego, after in San Louis Diego, Kahn’s after Louis Kahn’s iconic Salk Institute. iconic The SalkTimken Institute. is The all the Timken more is all the more significant for being significant designed for by being a local designed architect. by a local architect.
The groundworkThe for groundwork the museumforbegan the museum in 1951. began in 1951. With the help ofWith longtime the help friend of and longtime lawyerfriend Walter and lawyer Walter Ames, the sistersAmes, Amy and the sisters Anne Putnam Amy and established Anne Putnam established the nonprofit Putnam the nonprofit Foundation, Putnam under Foundation, which anyunder which any art acquired became art acquired part of the became Putnam partFoundation of the Putnam Foundation Collection. After Collection. Ames secured After financial Ames secured support financial from support from the Timken family the and Timken its foundation, family and the its foundation, firm of the firm of Frank L. Hope and Frank Associates, L. Hopethe andlargest Associates, of its the kindlargest of its kind in the region, wasinhired the region, to design wasand hired build to adesign museum and build a museum to display the collection to displayin the Sancollection Diego in in perpetuity. San Diego in perpetuity.
TimkenMuseum MuseumofofArt Art| San | SanDiego Dieo Timken
“An experience unlike any other structure in Balboa Park.” The symmetry, balance and palette of materials (travertine, bronze and glass) set the stage for an experience unlike any other structure in Balboa Park. Standing next to a 19th century cast of Giambologna’s Mercury in the foyer (consciously echoing a similar cast in the west building of Washington’s National Gallery of Art), visitors can enjoy the lily pond to the east and the Plaza de Panama to the west as the sun rises and sets. Garden courts dissect the structure’s middle and blur lines between interior and exterior spaces and engage San Diego’s moderate climate and abundant sunshine.
The symmetry, balance and palette of materials The firm hired internationally-acclaimed (travertine, bronze and glass) set thelighting stage designer for an Richard Kelly to design the museum’s interior and exterior experience unlike any other structure in Balboa Park. lighting Kelly provided a unique program for Standingscheme. next to a 19th century castskylight of Giambologna’s filtered sunlight bathe the masterpieces in aaway that cast was Mercury in the to foyer (consciously echoing similar both considerate to the health of the art and consistent during in the west building of Washington’s National Gallery of the dailycan journey thepond sky. During mid-summer Art),sun’s visitors enjoyacross the lily to the east and the there is often no need for artificial lights in the galleries. Plaza de Panama to the west as the sun rises and sets. Garden courts dissect the structure’s middle and blur Hope’s design leader Howard Shaw provided the designs for the lines between interior and exterior spaces and engage grill work and bronze fascia scheme on the exterior. He also San Diego’s moderate climate and abundant sunshine.
embellished the entry in floral-themed bronze plates and continued the to the bronze railings, gates and grill-work that Theabstraction firm hired internationally-acclaimed lighting punctuates the light, airy feeling of the Timken’s glazed openings. designer Richard Kelly to design the museum’s interior
According According to to experts, experts, the the Timken Timken represents represents some some of of the the best best evidence of 1960s modernity by some of the best talent San evidence of 1960s modernity by some of the best talent San Diego Diego had had to to offer. offer. It It is is aa major major example example of of aa post-World post-World War War II II trend trend to to build contemporary museum buildings to display the art build contemporary museum buildings to display the art of of the the past, past, projects projects that that include include Kahn’s Kahn’s museums museums at at Yale Yale University University (1953 and 1976) and the Kimbell in Fort (1953 and 1976) and the Kimbell in Fort Worth Worth (1972), (1972), William William Pereira’s Pereira’s 1966 1966 Ahmanson Ahmanson Building Building at at the the Los Los Angeles Angeles County County Museum Museum of of Art Art and and Philip Philip Johnson’s Johnson’s museums museums in in Utica, Utica, New York (1960), Fort Worth (1961) and Lincoln, Neb. New York (1960), Fort Worth (1961) and Lincoln, Neb. (1963). (1963).
revival: revival: on on the the East East Coast Coast Colonial Colonial Revival Revival architecture architecture reflected reflected the nation’s 18th century origins; in the the nation’s 18th century origins; in the Midwest Midwest one one sees sees Romanesque Romanesque Revival; Revival; in in San San Diego Diego it it is is natural natural to to find find Spanish Spanish Revival. Revival. Twenty Twenty years years later later there there was was aa trend trend toward toward modernist modernist designs and the buildings created for the designs and the buildings created for the 1935 1935 Exposition, Exposition, such such as as the the Ford Ford Building Building (now (now the the San San Diego Diego Air Air and and Space Space Museum) are art deco in form. So the creation of a mid-century Museum) are art deco in form. So the creation of a mid-century modern, modern, International International Style, Style, museum museum in in 1965, 1965, especially especially in in Southern California, should come as a logical Southern California, should come as a logical progression. progression.
Today’s rose-colored rose-colored wall wall upholstery upholstery is is not not original, original, installed installed in in Today’s the early early 1990s 1990s to to enhance enhance the the colors colors of of the the paintings. paintings. When When the the Timken Timken opened opened the the walls walls were were aa color color complimenting complimenting the the the travertine floors, floors, with with the the intention intention that that the the neutral neutral tonality tonality travertine of the the interior interior would would have have disappeared disappeared and and one’s one’s eye eye only only of attracted to to the the rich rich colors colors of of the the paintings paintings and and the the gold gold frames. frames. attracted
The second second point point is is that that the the Timken Timken was was the the most most expensive expensive The building erected erected in in San San Diego Diego up up to to that that time. time. The The benefactors benefactors building were proud proud that that not not only only was was no no expense expense spared, spared, but but that that on on were completion it it was was given given to to the the city city for for the the benefit, benefit, pleasure pleasure and and completion inspiration of of the the citizens citizens of of San San Diego Diego and and visitors visitors to to the the city. city. inspiration The building building and and its its contents contents are are available available free free to to everyone. everyone. The
Two Two other other points points should should be be remembered remembered when when considering considering the the Timken building in the context of Balboa Park. Timken building in the context of Balboa Park. The The first first is is that that it it continues continues aa trend trend of of building building structures structures of of contemporary contemporary design in the park. The dominant architectural design in the park. The dominant architectural style style in in 1915 1915 was was
“Second most most important important midmid“Second century building building in in San San Diego.” Diego.” century
Our Collection
600 Years of Art
Timken TimkenMuseum MuseumofofArt Art| San | SanDiego Dieo
The world-class The world-class Putnam Putnam Foundation Foundation collection collection of European European and of and American American masterpieces masterpieces is is on on permanent display display at at the the Timken Timken Museum Museum of of Art. Art. permanent
The Timken’s collection spans from early Italian Renaissance devotional paintings to late nineteenth century
paintings
from
the
United
States
and
includes important examples of French, Dutch, and Flemish paintings. A special feature of the museum is the significant collection of Russian icons, many from the Moscow and Novgorad Schools, ranging from
the
fifteenth
to
the
nineteenth
century.
Don’t miss San Diego’s only painting by Rembrandt, Saint Bartholomew; Jacques-Louis David’s revolutionary portrait of the Irishman Cooper Penrose; and a masterpiece by Eastman Johnson, The Cranberry Harvest. The foyer is adorned with Parisian seventeenth century tapestries illustrating the Stories of Queen Artemisia.
American Collection
Albert Bierstadt, 1830-1902 Cho-looke, the Yosemite Fall, 1864 Oil on canvas, 87 x 68.9 cm
Raphaelle Peale, 1774–1825 Cutlet and Vegetables, 1816 Oil on panel, 46.4 x 61.5 cm
Eastman Johnson, 1824-1906 The Cranberry Harvest, Island of Nantucket, 1880 Oil on canvas, 69.5 x 138.4 cm
George Inness, 1825-1894 Ariccia, 1874 Oil on canvas, 67.3 x144.3 cm
Timken Museum of Art | San Diego
Dutch & Flemish Collection
Collection
Franz Hals, 1585-1666 Portrait of a Man, 1634 Oil on oak panel, 73 x 56.2 cm
Emanuel de Witte, 1615-1691/92 Interior of the Nieuwe Kerk, Amsterdam, 1657 Oil on canvas, 87.6 x 102.9 cm
Jacob van Ruisdael, 1628-1682 A View of Haarlem and Bleaching Fields ca. 1665-70, Oil on canvas, 59.7 x 77.8
Timken Museum of Art | San Diego
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, ca. 1525–1569, Parable of the Sower, 1557 Oil on panel, 73.7 x 102.9 cm
French Collection
Franรงois Boucher, 1703 1770 Lovers in a Park, 1758 Oil on canvas, 232.4 x 194.9 cm
Claude-Joseph Vernet, 17141789 A Seaport at Sunset, 1749 Oil on canvas, 114 x 164.1 cm
Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, 1796-1875 View of Volterra, 1838 Oil on canvas, 32.2 x 24.4 cm
Jean-Honoré Fragonard, 1732 - 1806 Blindman’s Buff, ca. 1775 - 80 Oil on canvas, 62.5 x 45.1 cm
Timken Museum of Art | San Diego
Italian Collection
Luca Carlevarijs, 1663-1730 The Piazzetta at Venice, ca. 1700-10 Oil on canvas, 96.5 X 195.3 cm
Giovanni Girolamo Savoldo, 1508-1548 Torment of St. Anthony, ca. 1515-20 Oil on panel, 69.5 x 119.4 cm
Paolo Veronese, 1528-1588 Madonna and Child with Saint Elizabeth, the Infant Saint John the Baptist, and Saint Catherine, 1565-70 Oil on canvas, 103.8 x 158.1 cm
Timken Museum of Art | San Diego
Russian Icons
The Savior Enthroned 15th century, Novgorod School Tempera on wood panel 90.8 x 65.4 cm
The Forty Martyrs of Sebaste and Four Men in the Fiery Furnace 15th century, Novgorod School Tempera and gesso on linen 24.4 x 20 cm
Our Lady of Jerusalem 17th century, Moscow School Tempera on wood panel 131.1 x 106.7 cm
Timken Museum of Art | San Diego
French Tapestries
Four Entrefenetre Tapestries from the series Stories of Queen Artemisia Central designs by Antoine Caron (French, 1521-1599), France, ca. 1562-65
Timken Museum of Art | San Diego
Contact Us and Become a Member
Timken Museum of Art 2250 Fifth Ave Suite 500 San Diego, California 92103
Phone: 619.239.5548 Fax: 619.531.9640 Reservations: 619.261.9236 Email: info@timkenmuseum.org Do you love the Collection? Help it thrive by becoming a member at www.timkenmuseum.org/join-give Follow us on Facebook at Timken Museum of Art, Twitter at @TimkenMuseum, and Instagram at Timken Museum of Art
Timken Museum of Art | San Diego