The Getty Research Institute's vaults hold rare and unique collections in selected areas of art history and visual culture. Predominately works on paper, these collections include rare books, prints, and photographs. Archives, manuscripts, sketchbooks, and albums provide perspectives on artistic production, illuminating intellectual exchanges that fostered creative collaborations. More recent acquisitions focus on art and architecture in Southern California, revealing Los Angeles's significant role in the postwar era.

Special Collection Highlights

Special Collections Highlights

Learn about some of our strongest collecting areas, including collections on alchemy, festivals, Modernism, emblem books, optical devices, sketchbooks, artists books, and video art.

New Acquisitions and Donations

New Acquisitions and Donations

See a listing of selected recent acquisitions.

Institutional Archives

Institutional Archives

Learn about the archives of the J.Paul Getty Trust, which are housed at the Research Institute.