The de Young Museum, formally the M. H. de Young Memorial Museum, is a fine arts museum located in San Francisco, California. Situated in the beautiful Golden Gate Park, the de Young is one of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, partnered with the Legion of Honor. It carries the name of early San Francisco newspaperman M. H. de Young, who played a significant role in the museum’s development1.
The de Young Museum was initially established in 1895, evolving from the California Midwinter International Exposition of 1894. The original Egyptian revival structure, which housed the museum, suffered significant damage in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Despite this setback, the museum grew steadily, necessitating a new space to serve its expanding audience. M. H. de Young responded by planning a new building that served as the core of the de Young Museum throughout the 20th century. The Spanish-Plateresque-style building was designed by Louis Christian Mullgardt and completed in 1919. Over the years, new sections and wings were added, culminating in the museum’s renaming as the M. H. de Young Memorial Museum in honor of de Young’s efforts. However, the original building was eventually declared unsafe in 1949 due to the rusting of the supporting steel caused by the Pacific’s salty air, leading to its demolition1.
In 1972, the de Young Museum became part of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. As part of this agreement, the de Young’s collection of European art was transferred to the Legion of Honor. In return, the de Young received the right to display the bulk of the organization’s anthropological holdings, including significant pre-Hispanic works from Teotihuacan and Peru, as well as indigenous tribal art from sub-Saharan Africa. Unfortunately, the building was severely damaged by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and had to be replaced by a new structure in 2005. The only original elements from the old de Young that remain are the vases and sphinxes near the Pool of Enchantment, along with the palm trees in front of the building1.
The de Young Museum boasts a diverse collection showcasing American art from the 17th through the 21st centuries, international contemporary art, textiles and costumes, and art from the Americas, the Pacific, and Africa. Notably, the de Young Museum Collections include American Art, African Art, Oceanic Art, Arts of the Americas, Costume and Textile Arts, Graphic Arts, Photography, and Sculpture. Some of these collections are accessible online through the museum’s website and Google Arts and Culture, providing a digital window into the museum’s rich offerings1.
In addition to its permanent collections, the de Young Museum offers a dynamic program of temporary exhibitions and events. For instance, the upcoming exhibitions include “Bouquets to Art 2023” from June 5 to June 11, 2023, and “Bouke de Vries: Memories in Porcelain” from July 22, 2023, to March 24, 2024. Such exhibitions showcase the de Young’s commitment to presenting a wide array of art from different periods, cultures, and mediums, thus ensuring that the museum remains a vibrant cultural hub for the city of San Francisco and beyond2.
FAQ:
- How much is a ticket to the de Young Museum? Ticket prices vary:
- Members: Free
- Youth (17 and under): Free
- Adults: $15
- Seniors (65+): $12
- Students (with valid ID): $61.
- Is the de Young Museum free for SF residents? Every Saturday, the de Young offers free general admission to all residents of the nine Bay Area counties. Additionally, at 4:30 pm, the museum offers free admission to their permanent collection for everyone, regardless of residency. Note that special exhibition prices still apply during these times12.
- How long does it take to visit de Young Museum? I haven’t found a definitive answer to this question yet. The length of a visit can vary widely depending on personal interest and the number of exhibitions on display. Generally, visitors might spend several hours in a museum like de Young.
- Are masks required at the de Young Museum? Yes, masks are required for all visitors aged 2 and older2.