Exhibitions
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I Dream a World: Selections from Brian Lanker’s Portraits of Remarkable Black Women: Part IJuly 8, 2022 – January 29, 2023Portrait Gallery
This exhibition features more than 25 photographs by Brian Lanker, the Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer.
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Every Eye Is Upon Me: First Ladies of the United StatesNovember 13, 2020 – May 23, 2021Portrait Gallery
Every 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 WritersSeptember 18, 2020 – January 23, 2022Portrait Gallery
This exhibition drawn from the NPG collection highlights twenty-four noted women writers from the past one hundred years.
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One Life: Marian AndersonJune 28, 2019 – March 13, 2020Portrait Gallery
This 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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In Memoriam: Leah ChaseJune 4, 2019 – June 30, 2019Portrait Gallery
The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery recognizes the life and legacy of Leah Chase with a painting by Gustave Blache III.
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Portrait of Julie Packard by Hope GangloffApril 23, 2019 – February 24, 2020Portrait Gallery
On 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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In Memoriam: Aretha FranklinAugust 17, 2018 – August 22, 2018Portrait Gallery
The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery recognizes the life of acclaimed singer and musician Aretha Franklin.
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Henrietta LacksMay 15, 2018 – March 31, 2019Portrait Gallery
The 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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One Life: Sylvia PlathJune 30, 2017 – May 20, 2018Portrait Gallery
The exhibition reveals how Plath shaped her identity visually as she came of age as a writer in the 1950s. Visitors will get a look into Plath’s personal life and her dualistic nature.
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Marlene Dietrich: Dressed for the ImageJune 16, 2017 – April 15, 2018Portrait Gallery
The biggest Hollywood star at a time when “talkies” were still new, Dietrich captured men’s hearts and women’s admiration on screen and off.
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Celebrate: Ella FitzgeraldApril 13, 2017 – May 14, 2017Portrait Gallery
April 25 marks the 100th birthday of American jazz and popular song vocalist Ella Fitzgerald. The museum is recognizing the anniversary by displaying her photograph by William Gottlieb for the first time in the museum.
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Althea GibsonJune 3, 2016 – June 5, 2016Portrait Gallery
Smithsonianmag.com voters choose between portraits of Gibson, Eleanor Holm and Helene Madison, and Duke Kahanamoku to go on view. Gibson’s photograph received the most votes.
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One Life: Dolores HuertaJuly 3, 2015 – May 15, 2016Portrait Gallery
One Life: Dolores Huerta highlights the significant role of this Latina leader in the California farm workers movement of the 1960s and 70s.
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Cupcake KatyJune 18, 2014 – July 6, 2014Portrait Gallery
On view is a portrait of pop singer Katy Perry by distinguished New York academic portrait painter Will Cotton.
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In Memoriam: Maya AngelouMay 29, 2014 – June 12, 2014Portrait Gallery
See a portrait of writer, poet, and activist Maya Angelou (1928-1914) by painter Ross Rossin.
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One Life: Amelia EarhartJune 29, 2012 – May 27, 2013Portrait Gallery
Portraits of aviator Amelia Earhart tell the story of her career and pay special attention to her work on behalf of women's rights.
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A Will of Their Own: Judith Sargent Murray and Women of Achievement in the Early RepublicApril 20, 2012 – September 2, 2013Portrait Gallery
Learn about the achievements of women in the late 18th century and see portraits of eight prominent American women of the period.
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Juliette Gordon Low and the 100th Anniversary of Girl ScoutsJanuary 13, 2012 – January 6, 2013Portrait Gallery
Celebrate the centennial of the Girl Scouts of the United States, founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912. The Girl Scouts has grown from 18 members in 1912 to 3.3 million today.
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Seeing Gertrude Stein: Five StoriesOctober 14, 2011 – January 22, 2012Portrait Gallery
More than 50 artifacts and 100 works of art reveal Gertrude Stein in her many roles.
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One Life: Katharine GrahamOctober 1, 2010 – May 30, 2011Portrait Gallery
The exhibition narrates key moments in the Washington Post publisher's extraordinary life during extraordinary times.