Art lovers in Los Angeles have several opportunities to learn something new this November. The Getty is hosting a series of free talks throughout the month. These talks bring together curators, artists, historians, and researchers to explore everything from Renaissance paintings and Mexican photography to ancient Greek art.
The programs are connected to current Getty exhibitions and collections, with most available to attend online. Here’s what’s coming up this month:
When the Holy Family Went Viral
📅 When: Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 4 pm
📍Where: Getty Center and online
How did images of the Holy Family become so popular during the Renaissance? This conversation explores the growing popularity of these intimate religious scenes during the 15th and early 16th centuries.
Inspired by the exhibition The Holy Family at Home, featuring a recently acquired painting by Gerard David, the discussion will bring together northern Renaissance art experts and Getty curators to explore artistic innovations and the exchange of ideas between painting and illuminated manuscripts.
Find out more and register here.
Learning From Laura Aguilar
📅 When: Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 4 pm
📍Where: Getty Center and online
This talk celebrates the legacy of photographer Laura Aguilar and her influence on a new generation of artists and scholars.
Connected to the exhibition Every Minute Is History: Five Views of Los Angeles, the conversation will explore Aguilar’s archive, her representations of Chicano/a communities in Los Angeles, and how her work continues to shape artistic and academic discussions today.
Find out more and register here.
Art Break: An Ancient Beauty Contest Through a New Lens
📅 When: Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 12 pm
📍Where: Online
An ancient Greek vase at the Getty Villa tells the story of a famous beauty contest that helped spark the Trojan War. This online talk takes a closer look at the Athenian pelike (a type of storage jar) and the discoveries made when researchers recently photographed it using high-resolution imaging technology.
Getty imaging manager Tahnee Cracchiola and art historian Will Austin will discuss how the process revealed new details about the vase’s decoration and the techniques used by its ancient creator.
Find out more and register here.
Legacies of Mexican Photographers
📅 When: Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 5 pm
📍Where: Online
Photography enthusiasts can also join an online conversation exploring the lives and work of influential Mexican photographers.
Inspired by the exhibition Instante/revelación: Moments in Mexican Photography, the discussion brings together scholars and exhibition curator Julieta Pestarino to explore the photographers’ careers, the history of their archives, and their lasting influence on Mexican cultural history.
The program will be presented in Spanish, with simultaneous English translation.
Find out more and register here.
Sacred Heritage in the Andes: Conserving the Baroque Church of Rondocan
📅 When: Thursday, November 19, 2026, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
📍Where: Getty Center
The final November presentation explores the conservation of the historic Baroque Church of Rondocan in the Peruvian Andes, near Cusco.
Organized jointly by the Getty and the Consulate General of Peru, the event will examine the church’s architectural significance, its cultural treasures, and the ongoing collaborative efforts to preserve this important heritage site.
Find out more about the presentation here.
Whether you’re interested in Renaissance masterpieces, Los Angeles photography, or ancient civilizations, these November programs offer a chance to explore art and history through the perspectives of experts.
