Watch, Read, Listen

When Velasco’s painting arrived at The Huntington, a few lines of printed text could be seen at the bottom of the work. Infrared reflectography, a process that can detect layers of detail not visible to the naked eye, has revealed what lies beneath the painting’s surface.

The exhibitions “Storm Cloud: Picturing the Origins of Our Climate Crisis” and “Growing and Knowing in the Gardens of China” trace the dovetailing histories of the relationship between humans and the environment and emphasize the significant role that close observation has played in art, science, and ethics.

What may be the first aerial photographs of Pasadena, captured in 1909, were the product of a risky—almost disastrous—undertaking. When photographer Harold A. Parker was on the balloon American, he took photos of the city from the air. But the journey became harrowing when the balloon flew off course.

Notable speakers from around the world cover diverse topics including succulents of South Africa, Madagascar, and Taiwan, the history of Agaves in the Southwestern United States, an enduring scholarly legacy, and a new campaign against the illegal plant trade.

The Huntington has acquired an ambitious, large-scale masterpiece by 18th-century French portraitist Antoine-François Callet, the official painter of Louis XVI. The work is the fourth in a series of acquisitions made possible by The Ahmanson Foundation.

More than a century has passed since the iconic Victoria water lily last graced The Huntington’s botanical collections. Today, you’ll find these intriguing tropical giants growing in the basin of the North Vista’s fountain and in the Lily Ponds on the south side of the property.

The Huntington announced the appointment of Diego Godoy as the associate curator of the Library’s California and Hispanic collections. Godoy comes to The Huntington from Duke University Libraries, where he serves as librarian for Latin American, Iberian, and Latino Studies. He begins his new role on Aug. 26.

Provenance, or the ownership history of a valued item, is generally associated with works of art. But plant provenance has become increasingly important as theft from botanical collections and the wild escalates. In response, The Huntington has joined an international working group focused on raising awareness of the problem.