Timothy Potts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Timothy Potts
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| Director of the J. Paul Getty Museum | |
| Assumed office 1 September 2012 |
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| Preceded by | James Cuno (acting) |
| Director of the Fitzwilliam Museum | |
| In office 2007–2012 |
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| Preceded by | Duncan Robinson |
| Succeeded by | Tim Knox |
| Director of the Kimbell Art Museum | |
| In office 1998–2007 |
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| Preceded by | Edmund P. Pillsbury |
| Succeeded by | Eric McCauley Lee |
| Director of the National Gallery of Victoria | |
| In office 1994–1998 |
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| Preceded by | James Mollison |
| Succeeded by | Gerard Vaughan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1958 (age 66–67) Sydney, Australia |
| Education | University of Sydney (BA) Christ Church, Oxford (DPhil) |
| Occupation | Art historian, archaeologist, museum director |
Timothy Potts is an Australian expert in art history and archaeology. He studies old art and ancient cultures. He is also a well-known museum director. Since September 1, 2012, he has been the director of the J. Paul Getty Museum. This museum is a very important art museum in Los Angeles, USA.
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Timothy Potts's Life and Work
Timothy Potts was born in Sydney, Australia, in 1958. He went to the University of Sydney for his first degree. Later, he studied at the University of Oxford in England. There, he earned a special degree called a DPhil. This degree was in the art and archaeology of the Near East, which is a region in Western Asia.
Early Career and Research
From 1985 to 1990, Timothy Potts worked at Christ Church, Oxford. He was a research lecturer there. He focused on the art and archaeology of the ancient Near East. He also helped lead digs at an ancient site called Pella in Jordan. This work happened between 1982 and 1989. His research looks at ancient art, how museums work, and how old Greek and Roman art influenced later art.
Leading Major Museums
Timothy Potts has led several big museums around the world. Before working in museums, he had a short career in business. From 1990 to 1994, he worked for a company called Lehman Brothers in New York City and London.
His museum leadership roles include:
- National Gallery of Victoria (1994–1998): This is a major art museum in Melbourne, Australia. While there, he also taught at La Trobe University and the University of Melbourne.
- Kimbell Art Museum (1998–2007): Located in Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
- Fitzwilliam Museum (2007–2012): This museum is part of the University of Cambridge in England. He was the 12th director of this museum.
Growing Museum Collections
During his time at the Kimbell Art Museum, Timothy Potts helped the museum get many new and important artworks. These included sculptures, paintings, and ancient items. For example, the museum added:
- Sculptures by famous artists like Donatello and Bernini.
- Paintings such as The Judgment of Paris by Lucas Cranach the Elder.
- Ancient pieces, including a Maya Jade Belt Ornament.
- Asian art, like Bamboo and Rocks by Tan Zhirui.
Organizing Exhibitions
Timothy Potts also helped organize many interesting art shows at the Kimbell Art Museum. These exhibitions brought different types of art to visitors. Some of the shows included:
- Picturing the Bible: The Earliest Christian Art
- Drama and Desire Japanese Paintings from the Floating World
- Hatshepsut: From Queen to Pharaoh
- Turner and Venice
- Caravaggio to Dalí: 100 Masterpieces from the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
- Modigliani & The Artists of Montparnasse
- The Quest for Immortality: Treasures of Ancient Egypt
- European Masterpieces: Six Centuries of Paintings from the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia
- From Renoir to Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée de l'Orangerie
Timothy Potts's Writings
Timothy Potts is an expert in the art and archaeology of the ancient Near East and Mediterranean. He has written many books and articles on these topics. His works help people learn more about ancient civilizations and their art. Some of his books include:
- Kimbell Art Museum: Handbook of the Collection
- From Renoir to Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée de L'Orangerie
- Mesopotamia & the East: An Archaeological & Historical Study of Foreign Relations 3400-2000 Bc.
