Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Don't Miss
Collection
You can see all the way from contemporary California to ancient Egypt at the globally ec-
lectic de Young, and you might spot uncanny similarities between Gerhard Richter's mod-
ern squeegee paintings and traditional Afghani rugs from the textile collection's
11,000-plus works. Upstairs, don't miss excellent modern photography and 19th-century
Oceanic ceremonial oars, alongside African masks, Meso-American sculpture and meticu-
lous California crafts.
Blockbuster Shows
The de Young's blockbuster basement shows range from Bulgari jewels to Nureyev ballet
costumes and Vermeer paintings. Traveling exhibits of fashion and treasures are some-
times criticized as pandering to popular demand, but they're consistent with the de
Young's mission to showcase global arts and crafts - and art shows here are also world-
class, from scandalously sensual Venetian Renaissance paintings to Hiroshi Sugimoto's
haunting time-lapse photographs.
Architecture
Clever Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron (of Tate Modern fame) knew better than to
compete with Golden Gate Park's scenery. Instead, they drew the seemingly abstract pat-
tern of the de Young's perforated copper cladding from aerial photography of the park.
The de Young's 144ft twisting sci-fi medieval armored tower is one architectural feature
that's incongruous with the park setting - but access to the tower viewing room is free,
and waiting for the elevator by Ruth Asawa's mesmerizing filigreed pods is an unexpected
delight.
Top Tips
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The de Young offers exceptional freebies: free admission the first Tuesday of each month, free Friday-night
events and admission to the tower viewing platform gratis for all.
