Did you know that artist Robert Rauschenberg was a veteran? In 1944–45 Rauschenberg was stationed at Camp Pendleton (about 75 miles south of L.A.) as a neuropsychiatric technician in the Navy Hospital Corps. While on leave one day he went to the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in San Marino—his first visit to an art museum. (LACMA was not established until 1961.) The experience proved formative; it prompted Rauschenberg’s decision to become an artist. Rauschenberg received an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1945. Learn more about the LACMA exhibitions featuring works by Rauschenberg now on view—Rauschenberg: In and About L.A.and Rauschenberg: The 1/4 Mile 

Rauschenberg: In and About L.A. is on view in the Resnick Pavilion through February 10, 2019 and Rauschenberg: The 1/4 Mile is on view in BCAM, Level 3 through June 9, 2019.