The Ava Gardner Museum is home to an extensive collection of Ava Gardner memorabilia.  Each object in the museum was either owned by Ava Gardner or her family, used in her films or had a special meaning or relationship to Ava.

On exhibit are costumes, movie posters and awards that represent Ava’s 50-year career as a leading Hollywood actress.  The Museum also houses a collection of personal items of china, jewelry, clothing and fine art, including 40 portraits by Bert Pfeiffer, an artist whose collection was donated to the museum in 2001.

Bert Pfeiffer collection

Any movie buff can easily appreciate the enchanting beauty of Ava Gardner, but artist Bert Pfeiffer made Ava his lifelong passion.

After first seeing Ava in the 1948 film One Touch of Venus, Pfeiffer was hooked. In the film, Ava first appears as a statue of Venus the Goddess of Love and is brought to life with a kiss from a window dresser. The movie left quite an impression on the young Dutchman, who was enrolled in art school at the time.

Soon Pfeiffer began painting portraits of Ava, using photographs to memorize her facial features. The artist would spend the rest of his life creating his own interpretations Ava's likeness. He also collected a wealth of memorabilia featuring the late actress. Pfeiffer's work is now a part of the Ava Gardner Museum collection. Following his death in 2001, Pfeiffer's family and friends followed his wishes of donating his collection to the Ava Gardner Museum.

Visitor Favorites

The museum houses over 20,000 pieces of Ava Gardner memorabilia.  However, there are a few pieces that visitors are especially excited to see:

Frank Sinatra Watch

This handsome watch was given to Frank Sinatra by Ava.  The back of the watch is engraved with the sentiment "To Frank and desert nights - Ava," and could be a reference to Sinatra's private getaway in Palm Desert, California (near Palm Springs).  Following their divorce in 1957, they remained friends until her death in 1990.

Made by Lucien Piccard in the 1960s, it incorporates a 17-jewel Swiss manual wind movement.  The case is 14K solid yellow gold with a silver front dial signed by the maker.

Cape and Shoes from The Barefoot Contessa

This stunning silk satin cape, embroidered with gold thread and brass sequins, was worn by Ava in publicity shots for The Barefoot Contessa.  However, the costume does not appear in the movie and may have been included in scenes that were deleted in the final cut of the film.

Ava's wardrobe for Contessa included 23 pairs of shoes.  Cast in a role that most critics agree paralleled her private life, Ava played the character of Maria Vargas.  As the film's title implies, both Ava and Maria preferred to forego shoes whenever possible.

Dress from the film The Great Sinner

Within the Main Case of the Museum Gallery is a visitor favorite: the black dress Ava wore in The Great Sinner.  Visitors often remark on the diminutive size of the dress and exclaim over her waist size – 18 inches.