LACMA's Geffen Building Criticized for Architecture Overwhelming Art

The Geffen building at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art has drawn criticism for its architectural design, which is said to overpower the artworks displayed within. One gallery, described as a concrete bunker, creates challenging viewing conditions for masterpieces like Georges de La Tour's "The Magdalen With the Smoking Flame" (c. 1635-37). The painting, considered one of LACMA's most important works, struggles against the cavernous spaces and imposing walls of the structure. This critique was published in The Wall Street Journal, highlighting tensions between architectural ambition and art presentation. The museum's new building raises questions about how museum architecture should serve rather than dominate the art it houses.