A group of Claremont McKenna College students recently explored the Getty Villa Museum in Pacific Palisades.
Students from two classes— “Museums and Leadership ” with Professor Jonathan Petropoulos and “Bread and Circuses in Ancient Rome” with Professor Shane Bjornlie—immersed themselves in historic Greek and Roman culture at the museum. After reading multiple books about the Getty, they further explored how the institution acquires art and navigates controversies surrounding different pieces.
“The Getty has been a subject of interest in my course all semester,” Petropoulos said. “My ‘Museums and Leadership’ course explores the evolution of museums in the modern world and the ethical challenges faced by museum officials. In decades past, the Getty struggled with the issue of illegally exported antiquities (and returned over 40 objects to source countries in the early 2000s). During the semester, we studied how the Getty officials met this challenge and were able to move forward constructively. And as the wealthiest arts foundation in the world, the Getty has wielded influence in myriad ways, including conservation efforts and support for scholarly initiatives.”
While at the Getty Villa, students were able to view the authentic portrait bust of the Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius, made of 3.5 pounds of solid gold and one of six known golden busts made during the Roman Imperial period, which was on display for the first time. (Replicas of the statue are usually featured in museums.)
“It is always a genuine pleasure to watch student learning come alive in a setting as priceless and unrivaled as the Getty Villa—the only site in North America where students can enjoy the ancient world as an immersive experience,” Bjornlie said.
“It’s so cool to read about the museum and actually visit it. It brings everything we’ve read to life, and it gave me a newfound appreciation for museums and all the work it takes to display art,” said Sun Young Byun ’26.