July 13, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Getty to Display Acquire Sir Joshua Reynolds’ Masterpiece ‘Portrait of Mai’ as Part of Partnership With National Portrait Gallery

Reynolds’ Portrait of Mai, depicting first Polynesian to visit Britain, to be displayed in UK and US museums

The National Portrait Gallery in London and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles have announced plans to jointly acquire Sir Joshua Reynolds’ masterpiece, Portrait of Mai (Omai). 

The agreement will see the two institutions share ownership of the painting and allow the public free access to it for exhibition, research and conservation care. The unique partnership marks a new model of international collaboration that will provide maximum public access to the work. The painting holds a pivotal place in global art history and is widely regarded as the finest portrait by one of Britain’s greatest artists. It depicts the first Polynesian to visit Britain, known as “Omai” in England. Mai, a native of Raiatea, spent time in London during the 1770s and became something of a celebrity among the intellectual elite. Nearly eight feet high, Reynolds’ spectacular image of Mai portrays complex artistic and historical issues that will form the basis for a joint research initiative on 18th-century British portraiture involving exhibitions, conferences, and technical investigations.

Both institutions will enter a joint ownership agreement, and the painting will be exhibited in both locations, including being displayed in the Getty Museum when Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Olympic Games. If the National Portrait Gallery is successful in the final phase of its fundraising campaign, the painting will first be exhibited at the Gallery, which will reopen, following its recent transformation, in June 2023. The partnership has the support of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Arts Council England, the National Heritage Memorial Fund, and the Art Fund who have all welcomed this innovative approach.

The partnership follows previous joint initiatives of the NPG and Getty, including the publication of the National Portrait Gallery’s Later Victorian Portraits Catalogue and a current project on the Gallery’s Lucian Freud Archive, both funded by the Getty Foundation. Each partner will contribute half of the £50m funds needed to acquire the painting. The NPG has raised the majority of the funding, including a significant £10m pledge by the National Heritage Memorial Fund, an Art Fund grant of £2.5m, and many donations from generous trusts, foundations, and individuals. This leaves just under £1m remaining, and the National Portrait Gallery is continuing to fundraise.

Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, described the acquisition as an “innovative and exciting strategic partnership with Getty.” He added, “This is a painting that should belong to all of us and we know it will mean a great deal to our combined audiences, locally, nationally, and globally.” 

Timothy Potts, Director of the J. Paul Getty Museum, stated that the partnership “strives to identify new models for thinking about and sharing cultural heritage” and said the acquisition would “inspire other innovative models of collecting, sharing, and protecting artistic heritage across nations, cultures, and peoples.”

Related Posts

County Health Leaders Decry Federal Policy Barring Undocumented from Programs

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The officials argued the policy jeopardizes care for all residents, noting it could deter people—regardless of status—from seeking treatment  Leaders...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

Sen. Ben Allen Highlights Challenges, Economic Gains for LA28 Olympics

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The remarks came during the first informational hearing of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events State Sen. Ben...

Mayor Bass Issues Directive to Protect Immigrant Communities

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The order expands access to city resources for affected families and requests records from ICE, including details on arrests Mayor...

Billy Wilder Theater to Screen Housing Struggle Short Films with Q&A

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

The program includes works by community organizers and filmmakers addressing housing struggles from LA to D.C. A free film screening...

(Video) Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

To Sign Up Now, Go To Schoolofrock.com Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars To...

Chinese Bakery Hi Bake to Open First U.S. Store in Beverly Hills: REPORT

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Hi Bake will offer a fusion of French and Asian pastries, including croissants filled with molten chocolate or wagyu beef...

L.A. Louver Marks David Hockney’s 88th with Exhibit

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Hockney, a British artist born in 1937, gained fame with the British Pop Art movement and later became known for...

Suspect Arrested in Shoe Retail Theft Spree Across LA County

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

During the search, police recovered two firearms and a significant quantity of merchandise The Los Angeles Police Department’s Organized Retail...

California Seizes $476 Million in Illegal Cannabis

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The operation, described as UCETF’s largest to date, involved support from multiple state agencies The state confiscated $476 million worth...

The Reservoir Play Opens at Geffen Playhouse

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The play follows Josh, whose life is unraveling, as he receives unconventional support from his grandparents. Their unsolicited advice, judgments,...

Angelini Grill Opens Limited Run at Peninsula Beverly Hills

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The menu includes tableside Dover Sole, lobster salad, and a signature pasta tasting A new culinary collaboration, Angelini Grill, launched...

Father-Daughter Authors to Host Book Signing to Aid Fire-Affected Women

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Ten percent of proceeds from book and art sales will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, a nonprofit initiative created...

Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and...

The Bar at Century Plaza to Celebrate National Caviar Day with Exclusive Tastings

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The seven-hour event will feature exclusive caviar tastings and champagne pairings The Bar at Fairmont Century Plaza will host a...