Anna Kay Duckworth, MD - Savannah River Dermatology, LLC

of the Silk Road” explores the implications for rewriting thehistory of Central Asia and will run through July 25. Thepermanent Chinese collection is excellent, as well, and themuseum covers everything from early California history tothe art of Native American shamans.Starting July 3 is a display of two centuries of Americanquilts. In Sept., the Bowers will start showing never-beforeseentreasures from its storage. In Dec., an exhibit on BenFranklin will begin.Norton Simon, 411 W. Colorado St., Pasadenawww.nortonsimon.org • (626)449-6840(closed Tues.)The Simon is known for two aspects of its collection:sculptures by Auguste Rodin (he of “The Thinker”) andpaintings by Impressionists like Monet, Van Gogh, Degas,and Renoir. Our favorites are among the 17th-18th centuryEuropeans, especially Rembrandt and Rubens. Definitelyuse the audio guide, which has very interesting commentaryon the key pieces.The floor below the main permanent collection has manyspectacular examples of Indian and Tibetan statuary madeof various materials (we say this having been throughthe National Museum in New Delhi for comparison).Some of the must-sees arethe Boddhisattva Maitreya,Vishnu as Boar, and Shiva asLord of the Dance.L.A. had its origins in the Getty Villa. Because the Villa ison the way to Malibu, most residents and visitors never getout there, but should. We were wowed by its astonishinglywell-preserved Roman, Greek, and Etruscan vases,statuary, and other antiquities (comparing these with thenational collections in Greece and Italy; we had expectedthe damaged second-rate examples we had encounteredin other U.S. museums, since even Getty money can’tnecessarily buy the best pieces, which are priceless). Ifthe subject matter sounds dull, you’ll be surprised by themany artistic masterpieces (and the excellent exhibits helpvisitors understand their cultural context).From Aug. 26, “The Art of Ancient Greek Theater” will havevases and sculptures depicting the dramas by Sophoclesand others. Starting in Nov., there will be a special exhibiton the Maya and Aztecs. Until 2014, there is a terrifictemporary exhibit of ancient artifacts of glass.Note that no one is allowed to drive a car onto the Villaproperty without an advance, timed ticket from its web siteand there is a $15 parking charge (entry to the museum isfree; you can also get there by bus).Until Aug. 23, the museumwill have “Plants, Flowersand Fruits: Ellsworth KellyLithographs,” featuringhis drawings of the naturalworld. Through Jan., it has“Hiroshige: Visions of Japan”displaying 200 of the artist’swoodblock prints of 19thcentury Japan.Getty Villa, 17985 PacificCoast Highway, PacificPalisades www.getty.edu(310)440-7300(closed Tues.)The world-famous J. Paul GettyMuseum on a hill overlookingFemale Mummy from China at Bowers MuseumMay/June 2010 CSRA MD Journal • Page 17