Kenneth Lapatin

Bio

Kenneth is curator of antiquities at the J. Paul Getty Museum, specializing in Greek and Roman art. He's curated exhibitions on themes ranging from Athenian vases, polychrome sculpture, and Hellenistic bronzes to antiquity in the Middle Ages and the modern reception of Pompeii. His principal research interests include the materials, techniques, and functions of ancient art; the history of collections; luxury in ancient art; and forgery.

Antiquities, J. Paul Getty Museum Curator

Stories

  1. When Did Vesuvius Erupt? The Evidence for and against August 24

    Article

    Dramatic painting shows people cowering from the lava and ash of a volcano in the background

    Clues from texts, objects, and science shed light on one of the greatest natural disasters in world history

    Aug 23, 2019

  2. Exhibition Explores the Villa dei Papiri, Inspiration for the Getty Villa

    Article

    A digital rendering of the Villa dei Papiri on the coast of Italy, with an ocean front view at sunset.

    Buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, the ancient Roman villa has yielded spectacular finds of sculpture, paintings, and book scrolls

    Jun 25, 2019

  3. Ancient Portrait Bust from Palmyra Joins the Collection of the Getty Villa

    Article

    Once adorned with gold and paint, this ornate limestone bust depicts a prosperous resident of the ancient city

    May 30, 2019

  4. Introducing Drunken Satyr, A Rare Bronze Being Conserved at the Getty Villa

    Article

    A man and a woman standing near a large bronze of a reclining male figure, half removed from its shipping crate

    Buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, this statue is the subject of a multi-month conservation project at the Getty

    Nov 28, 2018

  5. The Villa J. Paul Getty Built but Never Saw

    Article

    Black and white photograph of J. Paul Getty looking at an architectural model of the Getty Villa

    Ancient and modern history intertwine at the Getty Villa

    Apr 10, 2018

  6. Deciphering the Getty Hexameters

    Article

    Six Greek tablet fragments with ancient writing

    Big mysteries come in small packages

    Feb 21, 2011