San Diego Museum of Art Unveils 300 Previously Off-Limits Masterpieces

There’s an art to caring for art. Some pieces are too fragile, while others are sensitive to light, making it tough to exhibit all that a museum owns. But the San Diego Museum of Art has unveiled 300 previously off-limits masterpieces in Visible Vaults.

The re-creation of SDMA’s own guarded vault—which includes Andy Warhol paintings, Rodin sculptures, and the 18th-century watercolor Lovers by a Tree made for a Mughal emperor (above)—spans prints, ceramics, and more set in drawers protected by UV-filter plexiglass and special cases.

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The layout is less like an art gallery and more of an open concept to encourage longer viewing and drawing activities. So go ahead and channel your inner Picasso.

Through November 12, 2017; 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park

San Diego Museum of Art Unveils 300 Previously Off-Limits Masterpieces

Photo courtesy of the San Diego Museum of Art, Edwin Binney 3rd Collection