“Narrative art tells the story of a society—what the common beliefs are that hold it together.” –George Lucas
Guided by founders George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles reflects their shared vision of an institution dedicated to the power of storytelling through images.
George Lucas’s lifelong passion for collecting began when he bought his first artwork in college: an illustration of Alley Oop, the time-traveling caveman. Together, Lucas and Hobson have built and supported a collection that ranges from illustrators such as Norman Rockwell, Jessie Willcox Smith, Maxfield Parrish, and N. C. Wyeth to comic artists such as Winsor McCay, Frank Frazetta, George Herriman, Jack Kirby, and Robert Crumb. The collection also embraces modern and contemporary artists, including Frida Kahlo, Jacob Lawrence, Charles White, Robert Colescott, and muralists such as Judith F. Baca and Diego Rivera.
Drawing visitors to adventure, featured galleries include Comics, Children’s Stories, Fantasy, History, and Community. See, for example, a Peanuts comic featuring Good Ol’ Charlie Brown, or an 1864 painting from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, or a painting of Phoenician Traders from 1904.
In addition to its art collection, the museum houses extensive film archives, an unparalleled collection of film props, costumes, artwork, and artifacts from Lucasfilm productions spanning more than four decades, from the 1970s to 2012. Donated in 2013, this collection forms the foundation of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and showcases the creative vision of George Lucas. Highlights include materials from the first six Star Wars films, the first four Indiana Jones adventures, and additional Lucasfilm productions, such as Willow, Red Tails, Howard the Duck, and Radioland Murders.
The Lucas Museum explores how narrative art shapes our world—expressing beliefs, communicating values, expanding imagination, and inviting conversation. Visit the website to discover more about the works at this museum inspiring wonder.