John F. Francis, Still Life, Apples and Chestnuts, 1859, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Charles C. and Elma Ralphs Shoemaker, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA

Fall into These Autumnal Collection Highlights

September 20, 2024
Alexander Schneider, Associate Editor

Fall is almost here! This Sunday, September 22, is the autumnal equinox, which marks the end of summer and beginning of fall in the northern hemisphere. The day has long been associated with the harvest and is a perfect time to celebrate abundance, especially in anticipation of the winter months ahead. Fall into the season and get inspired by some of our favorite autumnal highlights from our collection below, celebrating cooler weather and seasonal colors.

For art and events at LACMA this coming season, be sure to keep your eyes on our exhibition listings and our full program calendar


Utagawa Hiroshige, Maple Trees at Mama, Tekona Shrine and Linked Bridge, 1857, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Dr. Harvey Eagleson, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA


Paul Gauguin, Fruit Dish on a Garden Chair, c. 1890, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Miss Merle Oberon, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA


Sanford Robinson Gifford, October in the Catskills, 1880, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. Douglas Pardee, Mr. and Mrs. John McGreevey, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Shoemaker, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA


Ornament in the Form of a Rat on a Corn Cob, Japan, late 19th century, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Allan and Maxine Kurtzman, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA


Jan Davidsz de Heem, Still Life with Oysters and Grapes, 1653, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of The Ahmanson Foundation, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA


Evelyn McCormick, Carmel Valley Pumpkins, c. 1907, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, purchased with funds provided by Robert and Kelly Day, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA


John Bell, Fashion Plate (Autumnal Fashions for 1807), November 1, 1807, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Dr. and Mrs. Gerald Labiner, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA


Kamisaka Sekka, Chigusa (A Thousand Grasses) (detail), 1900, Album of (thirty) color woodblock prints, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Laurie and Bill Benenson, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA


Kosode (Kimono) Fragment with Grapes and Trellis, Japan, Edo period (1615–1868), mid-18th century, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Miss Bella Mabury, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA


Nobumasa, Frog on Pumpkin, mid-19th century, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Raymond and Frances Bushell Collection, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA


William Wendt, California Landscape, 1920, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of James O. McReynolds, Robert Coulter McReynolds and Mrs. Edwin L. Harbach, in fond memory of their mother, Frances Coulter McReynolds and their father, Dr. Robert Phillips McReynolds, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA


Willem Kalf, Still Life with a Porcelain Vase, Silver-gilt Ewer, and Glasses, c. 1643–44, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Edward William Carter, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA