Getty Museum Debuts Rare Portrait of Mai in Los Angeles

The nearly eight-foot tall painting is on display for the first time in the United States at the Getty Museum.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Historical

Graphic illustration of an ornate gold frame on a white wall, representing a historic art exhibition in a contemporary graphic style. — The Getty Museum in Los Angeles has placed a historic 1776 portrait of Mai on public display for the first time. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Getty Museum has officially placed the historic portrait of Mai on public display, marking the first time the work has been exhibited in the United States. Painted circa 1776, the masterpiece arrived in Los Angeles in July 2026.

Why it matters

The J. Paul Getty Trust and the National Portrait Gallery jointly acquired the portrait for approximately $62 million in 2023 to keep the cultural landmark from being sold abroad. Its arrival allows the public to view a significant piece of history that spent roughly 200 years in the possession of the Carlisle family.

The portrait stands nearly eight feet tall and was painted by Joshua Reynolds around 1776. Conservators recently identified reworked composition areas that suggest the artist used multiple layers of paint during the creation process.

The players

Joshua Reynolds

He was a prominent 18th-century English painter who specialized in portraiture and helped found the Royal Academy of Arts.

The J. Paul Getty Trust

This is a cultural and philanthropic institution in Los Angeles that manages the Getty Museum and the Getty Villa.

National Portrait Gallery

Located in London, this museum houses an extensive collection of portraits depicting historically significant and famous British people.

John Magnier

He is a prominent businessman and racehorse breeder who held ownership of the portrait beginning in 2001.

The details

The portrait depicts Mai, a visitor from Raiatea who arrived in Portsmouth, Britain, in July 1774. The acquisition follows a 2022 British government export ban that prevented the work from being moved out of the country before the joint purchase by American and British institutions.

July 14, 1774: Mai arrived in Portsmouth, Britain.
2001: John Magnier purchased the portrait for $12.4 million.
2023: The J. Paul Getty Trust and the National Portrait Gallery purchased the painting.
July 2026: The portrait arrived in California.
March 2027: The Getty Museum will transfer the painting to the Getty Villa.

Culture Shift

The acquisition marks a growing movement toward institutional cooperation to keep historically significant cultural artifacts within public view. This strategy reflects a departure from private collection cycles that dominated the art market for the past two centuries.

Residents and visitors to Los Angeles can view the painting at the Getty Museum before its planned relocation to the Getty Villa in 2027. This exhibition provides a rare opportunity to see a major historical work before its upcoming transit for scheduled museum renovations.

The takeaway

This acquisition highlights how international institutional partnerships can preserve cultural heritage against market pressures. Visitors can engage with this rare piece of 18th-century art to better understand the historical connection between global exploration and portraiture.

What happens next

The painting will remain on view at the Getty Museum until March 2027, when it is scheduled for transfer to the Getty Villa. It is expected to return to the museum in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics.