The Blue Boy has been waiting patiently for visitors — completely restored as of a few months ago with nary a soul to see it — but that will changed on April 17 when The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens reopens its art galleries for the first time since last March.
If you go, Thomas Gainsborough’s 18th century masterwork won’t be the only new exhibit within the museum’s halls.
“Made in L.A. 2020: a version” will showcase an intergenerational and interdisciplinary mix of artists who are currently contributing to the Los Angeles art scene. It’s the latest entry in a biennial series debuting simultaneously at the Hammer Museum and The Huntington, according to a news release on from The Huntington on Thursday, March 18.
There will be three distinct gallery spaces open for visitors, it says, including the first floor of the Huntington Art Gallery — home to The Blue Boy.
Made in L.A. 2020, meanwhile, will be in the MaryLou and George Boone Gallery as well as a portion of the Virginia Steele Scott Galleries of American Art.
The Huntington is planning for the eventual reopening of its other galleries, including the Library Exhibition Hall, but hasn’t offered a return date for those sections.
Those who want to visit The Huntington, whether that’s the galleries or the gardens, need to get a ticket in advance from huntington.org. This has been the norm since The Huntington reopened its gardens for visitors over the summer.
Current coronavirus restrictions will limit indoor capacity to 25%, which includes the museum space.