Art of Hearst Castle

This white marble statue is a copy of a famous neoclassical sculpture by the Italian artist Antonio Canova (1757-1822). Canova created two versions of The Three Graces in the early 1800s. The original statue was sculpted for Empress Josephine and… Read More

Many of the paintings collected by William Randolph Hearst feature religious or mythological scenes. This one was painted in the 17th Century by French artist Simon Vouet, and depicts the sea god, Neptune. It is installed as a ceiling painting… Read More

These four pieces of art date from the New Kingdom. Sekhmet literally translates as “the powerful.” Depicted with the body of a woman and the head of a lioness, she was the bloodthirsty protector of Ra, the sun god. Egyptian…. Read More

Spanish, late 15th – early 16th century. The interior side is painted by an unknown artist with a scene of St. Peter meeting Christ on the road to Rome. A front panel opens to reveal drawers decorated with gilded Gothic… Read More

Giulio Romano. (after designs by) The Continence of Scipio. Brussels, c. 1550. Tapestry. This scene shows Roman General Scipio Africanus returning a captive woman to her fiance and family.

While a number of ceilings on the estate are antique, others were custom-made by craftsmen during William Randolp Hearst’s era. This ceiling in Casa del Monte guest house is handpainted and decorated with 22 carat gold leaf. It features Classical… Read More

The base of this silver lamp was created in 1889 by Tiffany & Co. as the “Orchid Vase,” part of the company’s award-winning display at the Paris Universal Exposition. It was purchased by William Randolph Hearst’s mother, Phoebe Hearst, in… Read More

Marble Roman 3rd Century A.D. (about 230 A.D.) Sarcophagus with nine Muses, Apollo, and Athena on front; Ulysses listening to the Sirens on sides. Nine Muses: Goddesses of creative inspiration in poetry, song and other arts; the companions of Apollo…. Read More

This third century Roman mosaic depicts a merman and sea-life. It served as the floor of the main entrance into Casa Grande.

This sweet wooden sculpture came from Spain and was likely created sometime around 1630-80 (although the date is debatable). It was first polychromed in classic estofado, a technique that starts with gold leaf covered by a layer of paint, then… Read More