Exhibitions
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In Memoriam: Rosalynn Carter, 1927–2023
November 21, 2023 – January 3, 2024Portrait GalleryRosalynn Carter was the first lady of the United States from 1977 to 1981.
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To Live and Breathe: Women and Environmental Justice in Washington, D.C.
May 19, 2023 – January 7, 2024Anacostia Community MuseumExplore how women of color draw on a long history of activism and advance environmental justice efforts.
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I Dream a World: Selections from Brian Lanker’s Portraits of Remarkable Black Women: Part I
July 8, 2022 – January 29, 2023Portrait GalleryThis exhibition features more than 25 photographs by Brian Lanker, the Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer.
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Sarah and Eleanor Hewitt: Designing a Modern Museum
February 4, 2022 – October 23, 2022Cooper HewittThis exhibition—through archival photography and documents, personal drawings and correspondence, news clippings and ephemera—chronicles the colorful lives and contributions of the dynamic sisters.
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Orchids: Hidden Stories of Groundbreaking Women
January 29, 2022 – April 24, 2022Smithsonian GardensOrchids: Hidden Stories of Groundbreaking Women unearths stories of women who have enriched our understanding and appreciation of orchids.
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Every Eye Is Upon Me: First Ladies of the United States
November 13, 2020 – May 23, 2021Portrait GalleryEvery Eye Is Upon Me is the first major exhibition to explore the historical significance of this prominent position through the mode of portraiture.
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Her Story: A Century of Women Writers
September 18, 2020 – January 23, 2022Portrait GalleryThis exhibition drawn from the NPG collection highlights twenty-four noted women writers from the past one hundred years.
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Contemporary Muslim Fashions
February 28, 2020 – July 11, 2021Cooper HewittOrganized by the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, this is the first major museum exhibition to explore the complex and diverse nature of Muslim dress codes worldwide.
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In Memoriam: Jessye Norman, 1945-2019
October 3, 2019 – November 3, 2019Portrait GalleryThe National Portrait Gallery commemorates the life of Jessye Norman, one of the twentieth century's greatest sopranos.
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In Memoriam: Toni Morrison
August 6, 2019 – November 7, 2019Portrait GalleryToni Morrison, the first black woman to become a Nobel laureate, wrote about the experiences of African Americans.
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One Life: Marian Anderson
June 28, 2019 – March 13, 2020Portrait GalleryThis exhibition examines the ways in which artists, concert promoters, and others wielded Marian Anderson's iconic likeness as a powerful symbol in the pursuit of civil rights.
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Women of Progress: Early Camera Portraits
June 14, 2019 – June 13, 2021Portrait GalleryThis exhibition of daguerreotypes and ambrotypes from the 1840s and 1850s features portraits of early feminist icons.
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In Memoriam: Leah Chase
June 4, 2019 – June 30, 2019Portrait GalleryThe Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery recognizes the life and legacy of Leah Chase with a painting by Gustave Blache III.
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Storied Women of the Civil War Era
May 24, 2019 – March 20, 2022Portrait GalleryThis intimate exhibition includes portraits of Civil War era women who captivated the public while becoming sought-after subjects for Mathew Brady’s camera.
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Portrait of Julie Packard by Hope Gangloff
April 23, 2019 – February 24, 2020Portrait GalleryOn display is a newly commissioned painting of Julie Packard, a leading figure in science and ocean conservation and the executive director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
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Votes for Women: A Portrait of Persistence
March 29, 2019 – January 5, 2020Portrait GalleryTo commemorate the centennial anniversary of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment, NPG presents the story of the historic crusade for American women’s rights.
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The REDress Project
March 1, 2019 – March 31, 2019American Indian MuseumTo commemorate Women’s History Month, the National Museum of the American Indian presents The REDress Project, an outdoor art installation by artist Jaime Black (Metis).
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In Memoriam: Aretha Franklin
August 17, 2018 – August 22, 2018Portrait GalleryThe Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery recognizes the life of acclaimed singer and musician Aretha Franklin.
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Henrietta Lacks
May 15, 2018 – March 31, 2019Portrait GalleryThe Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery recognizes the life of Henrietta Lacks with the installation of a 2017 portrait by Kadir Nelson.
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In Memoriam: Barbara Bush
April 18, 2018 – April 29, 2018Portrait GalleryThe Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery recognizes the life of Barbara Bush with a photograph by Diana Walker taken in 1989.
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