Norton Simon Museum
You may have seen the Norton Simon Museum because it serves as a background for the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day. But it is actually a favorite museum among many Pasadena locals. It is also a favorite destination among tourists who visit the city. The museum is already considered an institution in California. Many who grew up in the area have many fond memories of the museum. If you’ve never been to this museum then you need to include it in your itinerary the next time you visit the city. If you want to know more about the museum then you can consider this article as a short guide.
Even before you enter the museum, you’ll already be welcomed by artworks. As you walk from the parking lot to the main entrance, you’ll see the Burghers of Calais by Rodin. There are other Rodin sculptures that you’ll see before you enter the main door. If you’ve been to the Rodin Museum in Paris, then you’ll surely be reminded of your visit as you walk to the main entrance. 
You’ll be reminded of Paris once more when you go inside. One of the more notable features of the museum is the collection of artworks from the famous impressionist artist Edgar Degas. Your eyes will certainly be drawn to his sculpture called The Dancer. It’s a beautiful piece that clearly shows the extraordinary talent of Degas.
The museum features the personal collection of the late industrialist Norton Simon. He has collected the artworks for a period of more than 30 years. It’s considered one of the world’s more remarkable private art collections. The collection includes masterworks from the Renaissance to the 20th century. It also holds a collection of Southeast Asian art, some of which are more than 2,000 years old. Apart from the collection of Norton Simon, the museum also holds modern pieces from the US and Europe. These pieces were acquired by the Pasadena Art Museum. There are more than 12,000 objects in the entire museum. It includes works from famous artists such as Frag0nard, Goya, Rembrandt, Picasso, and of course Degas.
Another interesting part of the museum is the portion dedicated to 20th-century artworks. But if you want to see the works of Rembrandt then you need to visit the 17th and 18th-century rooms. If you want to see the collection of Southeast Asian art, then you need to go to the lower levels. If you’re pressed for time, then it’s recommended that you plan your trip based on the artwork that you want to see. You can get more information about the museum and its collection from their official website. You can even view some of the artwork there.
If you need to take a break from viewing the artwork then you can go to the museum’s Garden Cafe and order some food and drinks. It’s also nice to take a stroll outside the museum where there is a pond and a sculpture garden. The trees in the garden are actually donated by the Naturalist John Muir to the Carr family. They were the original owners of the property where the museum now stands. You can also view sculptures of Henry Moore and other modern-day sculptors in the area. Take some time to appreciate these works before you go back inside.
What you’ll notice about the Norton Simon Museum is that it holds a large number of artworks. But it’s not just about quantity with this museum. All of the pieces in the museum are of high quality as well. A day may never be enough for you to fully soak in all of the art that is contained in the area. Many have visited this museum several times already and they are still filled with awe every time they visit. Such is the magic of the place. So even if you have visited the museum before, it’s always a good idea to come back. If you have the luxury of time and you can come back several times to the museum then what you can do is to focus on one section of the museum per visit. This way, you’ll be able to fully appreciate the entire collection.
