Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Huntington Cool

It was warm yesterday in Pasadena, but we're expecting cooler days for the rest of the week. In anticipation, here's a shot I took at the Huntington on a cold day. I've taken so many pictures at the Huntington that I like to find excuses to trot them out from time to time.

The structure in the background was the home of Henry and Arabella Huntington, the wealthy and illustrious couple who left us these wonderful gardens, galleries and library. It's a pretty fabulous house. What you see is the east veranda.

I hope they enjoyed it while they lived there. I sure get a lot out of it now.

24 comments:

Vanda said...

That seahorse looks uncomfortable.

Shell Sherree said...

They all look rather expectant... when do they turn the water back on, Petrea? I imagine this looks especially gorgeous when the horse gets to splash around a bit.

Hilda said...

Based on this small part, the estate looks huge and magnificent. The fountain alone is gorgeous.

Katie said...

Gorgeous photo; the clouds add such drama. I do envy Henry & Arabella just a bit for getting to live here, but I thank them for not selling off their property to developers. I need a Huntington fix.

Petrea Burchard said...

You'd be uncomfortable too, Vanda, if you had rust dripping down your sides.

The water might be on now, Shell Sherree. I haven't been over there in a month or so.

There are other pretty fountains on the grounds, Hilda. I'll post more pictures from time to time. In fact, I took a photo of Katie sitting on the edge of a grand fountain in the north garden.

Come on down, Katie! Funny you should need a fix. I get my fix regularly, but still need it. I may have seen every painting in the collection. But I still love to get over there and stroll.

John Sandel said...

Looks like a shot of Castle Hackton, after Barry has gone. One almost expects to see Marisa Berenson wandering around with a pram full of ashes.

James said...

I loved walking around the Huntington library it's so beautiful. I once stayed at the Huntington hotel not far away thats another nice place to explore.
It's been too long since I've been there.
Thanks for the photo.

Margaret said...

It looks appropriately stately and regal with the overcast sky. I love going to the Huntington.

Cafe Pasadena said...

How did YOU get in??
It must've been the AHiker. Hmmmm...

Petrea Burchard said...

J, methinks Marisa (or lady whatever her name was) was finally able to refill the fountains after ol' Barry's departure.

Hi James! I look forward to photos of your Newtown experience.

Me too, Margaret.

Uh, Cafe, anybody can get in. You buy a membership. Or you walk right up to the counter and pay for a ticket. Except I don't think they allow dogs unless they're service dogs.

cieldequimper said...

Looks almost like home! ;-)

Petrea Burchard said...

Ha ha, Cieldequimer! It is Pasadena's most European setting, most certainly. I would almost (but not quite) compare it to Versailles.

Jilly said...

It looks and feels like Italy. Just lovely.

Christie said...

The East Veranda. How lovely. Makes me think of "The Philadelphia Story" where they have a phone system where they can call each room...even the Stables if they want!

Sounds like a lovely place to visit!

pasadenapio said...

That's a gorgeous photo, Petrea. It looks like a painting.

Ms M said...

Wonderful photo -- and it'd be cool to see it with the water running.
In Kansas City, where there are many fountains throughout the city, the budget is so tight that they cannot afford to turn on the water this year for any of the fountains. Hopefully things will be back to normal by next summer...

Shell Sherree said...

Cieldequimper, I thought the same {though not 'home' in my case}. Petrea, it reminded me of Eric's photo of the Fontaine du Jardin des Grands Explorateurs, but without the snow and ice, of course. Or water. Or ... really, it still reminds me of it!

Petrea Burchard said...

Jilly, it's the first place I take visitors. I think it's lovely, too.

I know you're interested in the arts, Christie, so I'm sure you'd like it.

Thank you, Ann.

Ms. M., as we're in a drought, we're conserving water here and the Huntington is no exception. However, I don't know why this fountain was off at the time.

Shell, I love that photo! (Horses, fountains, sculpture, Paris! You can't lose.) I'll take the comparison as a compliment, thank you.

Cafe Pasadena said...

I provide a service: Pasadena Volunteer City Cat Catcher (CCC). In fact, the extensive grounds of de Huntington tell me it was probably made for a K9. Thank you, P, for de valuable info.

Amy said...

The Huntington was one of the first places I visited when I came to Los Angeles for a weekend trip. It is one of my favorite places in the city. I go as often as I can...

It's fun from a photography stance too. I have little challenges with myself so I keep shooting new things. Macro day, buildings only day, you get the idea. It amuses me. :D

Laurie Allee said...

This is such a luscious shot! And I love the square crop -- my favorite shape to place scenes. Beautiful, beautiful photograph.

Grapes & ghosts said...

I think they should fill the fountain with wine, and I think I should take a bath. Research purposes, of course, all in the name of scholarly research!

It is a lovely photo.

Petrea Burchard said...

But Cafe, who catches the mice?

AmyR: all good ideas. I might steal.

Thanks, Laurie.

Grapes & ghosts: I might steal this idea also.

USelaine said...

My first thought was Jane Austen, but I'm sort of a nerd that way.