New Orleans Museum of Art

Delgado

A sugar broker, Isaac Delgado, paid for the first museum in 1911

NOMA is the oldest fine arts museum in New Orleans. It was established in 1911 as the Delgado Museum of Art, funded by the sugar broker and collector Isaac Delgado. At the age of 71 he wrote to the City Park Board about his intention to build an art museum.

Opening

The museum opened on December 11, 1911, without Delgado present

On December 11, 1911, the Isaac Delgado Museum of Art opened its doors. Delgado did not attend the opening due to medical issues. The building was partly designed by Benjamin Morgan Harrod, the former chief engineer of New Orleans.

Degas

Degas lived in New Orleans in 1871 and 1872, and painted there

The museum features a survey of French art, including several important works painted by Edgar Degas while living with his mother's family in New Orleans between 1871 and 1872. Other artists in the collection include Monet, Renoir, Picasso, Rodin, Mary Cassatt and Georgia O'Keeffe.

Collection

The collection holds more than 40,000 objects spanning 5,000 years

The permanent collection features more than 40,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of art. It includes art photography of over 12,000 works, and holdings of glass, ceramics, portrait miniatures, Chinese ceramics, Japanese painting and Indian sculpture.

40,000objects spanning 5,000 years of art

The garden

A sculpture garden of 11.5 acres lies behind the main building

Behind the main building is the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, a landscaped area of 11.5 acres. The gated garden features over 90 modern and contemporary sculptures among live oaks, pines, magnolias, camellias, lagoons, several bridges and a walking trail.