Timken Museum of Arts

At Balboa Park in San Diego, California

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Admission Hours
  • Wednesdays – Sunday
    10 AM – 5 PM
  • Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Free Admission
The Timken is the only art museum in Balboa Park that offers free admission!

Location of the Timken Museum

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About the Timken Museum

The Timken Museum of Art, established in 1965, is a renowned fine art museum located in San Diego’s Balboa Park. It was founded by the Putnam Foundation, created by sisters Amy and Anne Putnam in 1951, who were early supporters of the arts in San Diego. The museum displays a diverse collection of European old master paintings, American art, and Russian icons.
The museum’s architectural design, a modern marble and bronze structure, stands on the site of the former Home Economy Building from the 1915 Panama–California Exposition. Over the years, the Timken Museum has grown its collection from 40 to 60 major works, featuring masterpieces by artists such as Pieter Brueghel, Rembrandt, and John Singleton Copley.
Balboa Park, San Diego

What Can You Expect at the Timken Museum of Art?

The Timken Museum of Art offers a view into a rich tapestry of European and American art, spanning from the Renaissance through the 19th century.

The collection displays a range of styles and periods, reflecting cultural and artistic diversity across different eras.

Visitors can explore works that capture vivid landscapes, emotionally charged narratives, and fine portraiture.

The museum’s curated selection reflects important themes such as human nature, religious stories, and depictions of daily life.

These masterpieces of history display the evolution of artistic techniques, from the realism of 17th-century Dutch paintings to the grandiosity of 19th-century American landscapes.

In addition to European masterpieces, the museum also features significant contributions from American artists, offering insight into the artistic development of the New World. 

Parable of the Sower by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Year 1557
Portrait of Barthélemy-Jean-Claude Pupil by Nicolas de Largillière, Year 1729
Portrait of Barthélemy-Jean-Claude Pupil by Nicolas de Largillière, Year 1729
The Return of the Prodigal Son by Guercino, 1654-1655
The Return of the Prodigal Son by Guercino, 1654-1655
Cho-looke, the Yosemite Fall by Albert Bierstadt, Year 1864
Cho-looke, the Yosemite Fall by Albert Bierstadt, Year 1864

Art Museums in San Diego County

Museum of Art
San Diego
Balboa Park
Museum of Us
San Diego
Balboa Park
Timken Museum of Arts
San Diego, CA
Balboa Park
Museum of Contemporary Art
La Jolla
MCASD

Recurring Art Walks & Events in San Diego County

Art Walk Little Italy
San Diego, CA
Outdoor Art Festival
Starts Oct 19, 2024: 11 AM
Art Walk La Jolla
San Diego County
Open House Art Galleries
Next Art Walk: Oct 4, 2024
Art Walk Liberty Station
San Diego, CA
Outdoor Art Festival
Next Event: August 2025
Art Walk Hillcrest
San Diego
Street Art Event
Next Event: Oct 3, 2024
Art Walk Carlsbad, CA
San Diego County
Outdoor Art Festival
Next Event: September 2025
La Jolla Art &
Wine Festival
Pet-Friendy Art Festival
Next Event: September 2025
Art Walk Coronado
San Diego County
Outdoor Art Booths
Every Sat & Sun
Art-in-the-Park
Coronado, CA
Outdoor Art Exhibition
Every 1st and 3rd Sunday
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