This Saturday, December 21, is the winter solstice, the shortest day (and longest night) of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of the new season. The chill and darkness of winter has long held endless artistic potential, so it’s a perfect time to take a look at some of our favorite wintry highlights from the museum’s permanent collection—especially for those of us in Los Angeles who won’t be experiencing a snowy season.
For art and events at LACMA this coming winter, be sure to keep your eyes on our exhibition listings and our full program calendar. LACMA will also be open on New Year's Day, Wednesday, January 1, so you can start 2025 with art and inspiration.
Hendrick Avercamp, Winter Scene on a Frozen Canal, c. 1620, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, partial gift of Mr. and Mrs. Edward William Carter and purchased with funds provided by The Ahmanson Foundation, the Paul Rodman Mabury Collection, the William Randolph Hearst Collection, the Michael J. Connell Foundation, the Marion Davies Collection, Mr. and Mrs. Lauritz Melchior, Mr. and Mrs. R. Stanton Avery, the Estate of Anita M. Baldwin by exchange, and Hannah L. Carter, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III), Beauty Walking on a Snowy Day, 19th century, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Felix Juda, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Hannah Borger Overbeck, Holly, c. 1915, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Museum Acquisition Fund, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Peter-Severin Krøyer, Copenhagen: Roofs Under the Snow, late 19th century, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Marilyn B. and Calvin B. Gross, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Takahashi Hiroaki, The Red Gate of Hongo in Snow, 1926, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Felix Juda, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Rudolph Ackermann, Fashion Plate, ‘A Walking Dress, or Carriage Costume’ for ‘The Repository of Arts’, February 1, 1811, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Charles LeMaire, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Quilt, 'House Medallion with Multiple Borders', United States, c. 1880, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, American Quilt Research Center Acquisition Fund, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn, The Star of Kings: A Night Piece, c. 1651, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Michael Forman in honor of the museum's 40th anniversary, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Toyohara (Yōshū) Chikanobu, Warriors in a Blizzard, 1896, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Beverly and Stuart Denenberg, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Woman's Shoes (Carriage Boots), probably United States, c.1885, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Mrs. Alice F. Schott Bequest, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Peter Henry Emerson, Thomas Frederick Goodall, The First Frost, 1886, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Sue and Albert Dorskind, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Camille Pissarro, Snowy Landscape at South Norwood, 1871, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, partial, fractional and promised gift of Janice and Henri Lazarof, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Francis Wheatley, Winter, 1793–94, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Marion Davies Collection, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Joseph Pennell, Winter Sunset, New York Harbor, c. 1921–26, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Mrs. Lottie V. Behrens, photo © Museum Associates / LACMA
John Albok, WPA Street Cleaners, 1936, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Marjorie and Leonard Vernon Collection, gift of The Annenberg Foundation, acquired from Carol Vernon and Robert Turbin, © The Estate of John Albok, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA