This exhibit showcases items from the opening publication of Hearst Castle® Press, which focuses on engaging faces found in the art at San Simeon. From the chimpanzee perched atop a Sèvres jar to the smiling figures on a Chinese turquoise lamp, the diversity of artifacts represents the vast scope of William Randolph Hearst’s collection of fine and decorative arts.

The book tells the story of over forty objects from the collection at Hearst Castle®, the historic house museum visited annually by hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world. It interweaves lively text with over 80 never-before-published photographs by Gary Ashcavai to offer readers a close look at some of Hearst Castle’s® most memorable faces.

Hearst Castle® is nationally accredited by the American Association of Museums and is operated by California State Parks. Hearst Castle® Press is a collaborative venture between Friends of Hearst Castle® and California State Parks.

For More Information about “Ageless Beauty: Faces of Hearst Castle” or Hearst Castle® Press please visit: www.hearstcastlepress.org or call (805) 927-2120.

Scipio Tapestries Brussels, Early 17th Century
From the workshops of Cornelius and Heinrich Mattens

Based on designs by Guilio Romano
Located in the National Geographic Theater Lobby

These tapestries are part of a set depicting the life of Roman general Scipio Africanus - a popular subject of art in the 16th and 17th centuries. Scipio was in charge of the Roman army which conquered Hannibal during the Punich wars in the second and third centuries B.C. Hannibal commanded the forces of the Carthaginian in North Africa against the Roman public.

Appearing in all of these tapestries, Scipio Africanus can be identified as the figure wearing a blue cape decorated with gold. Irregular edges often occur on hand-woven tapestries, and are a natural result of the process used in creating this type of textile.

Off Site Exhibits

An Exhibit at The California Museum for History, Women & the Arts
1020 O Street, Sacramento , California

This exhibit will run from Friday April 13, 2007 through Sunday, April 13, 2008.

California State Parks and the California Museum for History, Women & the Arts are hosting this major historical event. For the first time, Hearst Castle® has loaned the largest selection of its treasures for an historic exhibition in partnership with The California Museum. Many of these beautiful and miscellaneous art objects have not left the historic estate since their acquirement by William Randolph Hearst. These 40 art objects will be displayed in galleries designed to recreate the ambiance of Hearst Castle®. Visitors will also have the opportunity to view reproductions of the drawings by the architect of Hearst Castle®, Julia Morgan.

For more information on the exhibit, please visit: www.californiamuseum.org/exhibits/new_exhibits