Timken Museum of Art

I love the Timken. The price can't be beat. It's free! The collection housed within is really wonderful. The Byzantine works of art are really worth notice. They have a wonderful work by Francois Bouchet that's not to be missed. They even have a gift shop. Taking photographs of the paintings is not allowed.

Created by the Putnam sisters, this museum features Italian, Dutch, and French collections. There are also american and russian collections. One of the museums that are free to the public at Balboa Park, you've got nothing to lose. If you enjoy european art, you may not find all of the great masters here that are in the Louvre, but you'll see a number of pieces that will take your breath away.

This is the best place to go to get a glimpse of the history of early western art.
I love their Baroque pieces, as it brings you back in time with Rembrant
To my suprise they also have a few pieces of the Roccoco Era in their fancy, light, and decorative styles.

It's a place you can go agian and again and always find something new, or come out with a new inspiration....if you love art history that is...

The Timken Museum of Art makes a great homeschool learning adventure. With many homeschoolers being pressed for budgets and finances for field trips, why not learn in a place like the Timken Museum of Art absolutely free? While it isnt the San Diego Museum of Art, it is located in Balboa Park where you will find the larger museums. If you visit on free museum day each month, you can visit other museums in Balboa Park, along with the Timken, all on the same day for free. The Timken Museum of Art is always free though, and all though you cant spend a whole day at this museum (not quite that large), you can easily spend an entire morning or afternoon here. The main collections in this museum consist of American art, European art, religious art, and much more.

Well, the admission is free, not the art! This museum looks tiny from the outside, but once you get in, they have a lot of great art work to enjoy. It is a great place to pass the time while waiting for your time slot for the fine art museum. There was no wait to get in.

The Timken is located right next to the SD Museum of Art, but it is a vastly different experience. The entire museum consists of four galleries and a hall full of American and European art on one side, and religeous icons on the other. Of particular interest to art students are the Russian icons (which are, I am told, hard to find in the United States). Most important, though, is that it is free. Definitely fun for an afternoon in Balboa Park.

PROS: Great art, free entry
CONS: Small exhibition space

This is a really great place to go, maybe even on the same day that you visit the bigger San Diego Musem of Art next door. This particular museum is free, and free always makes things better! A lot of really good art here, this is one place you don't want to miss if you are visiting Balboa Park.