The Ann and Gordon Getty Collection

Christie's, Americas Marketing Department / In-house Creative Studio

Short description

This exhibition was centered around the 10 auctions of the Ann and Gordon Getty Collection and took visitors on a journey through the philanthropists’ extraordinary home in San Francisco. As befitting the couple, proceeds from the auctions benefited the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation for the Arts, which is dedicated to supporting arts and science organizations.

The Challenge

In the home of the Gettys in San Francisco, layers and layers of art, objects and furniture representing a vast historical span were collected from around the globe and impeccably arranged among sumptuous materials and intricate wallpaper patterns. The design team took on the task of replicating the experience of visiting Ann and Gordon Getty’s inimitable home in San Francisco for visitors to our galleries around the world.

Project Vision

We wanted to give visitors to our galleries the chance to experience Ann Getty’s masterful curation and style in the rooms of the home as closely as possible. In a 15-day exhibition, we incorporated over 1,500 decorative and art works from the home, replicated interior design elements and grouped items as they appeared in the home in the exhibition.

Design and Execution

To recreate the grandeur of the couple’s storied home in San Francisco for visitors to our galleries in Los Angeles, London and New York, the exhibition design relied on interactive and immersive digital media as well as traditional techniques and a maximalist approach. This project was a collaborative effort across our in-house creative studio, internal departments in several locations and CreatorUp, an external partner.

Image Captions (in order of upload)

Image 1_Main exhibition title featuring custom decorative paintwork in the style of the Getty's San Francisco atrium.
Image 2_Paint and metallic trim to mimic Ann Getty's opulent and famed drawing room.
Image 3_Graphic reproduction of reverse-painted glass panels in the Getty's dining room cover a custom display system designed to exhibit the 12 hand-painted panels from the auction.
Image 4_Hand-painted wallpaper inspired by the walls of the Getty's primary bedroom adds a finishing touch to the incredible property display.
Image 5_Our graphic designers made an exact reproduction of the wallpaper from the Getty's Constantine room and used faux walnut panels to echo the warm tones of their library.
Image 6_Property from the evening auction was displayed using custom shaped plinths in a museum-like style against cork and metallic wallpaper.
Image 7_A full gallery was dedicated to case displays of porcelain and silver dinner services.
Image 8_Casework and lighting elements were built to feature and safely display delicate paper panels taken from the walls of the Getty's San Francisco mansion.