Exhibitions
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Votes for Women: A Portrait of PersistenceMarch 29, 2019 – January 5, 2020Portrait Gallery
To 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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All Work and No Pay: A History of Women's Invisible LaborMarch 4, 2019 – May 30, 2022American History Museum
Break rooms across America hold signs that read: “Your mother doesn’t work here.” All Work and No Pay examines the implied expectation that women will take care of the housework.
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Portraits of the World: KoreaDecember 14, 2018 – November 17, 2019Portrait Gallery
Pioneering feminist artist Yun Suk Nam (born 1939) uses portraiture to gain insights into the lives of women, past and present.
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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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The Case of Luisa MorenoJuly 20, 2018 – April 30, 2019American History Museum
The display features objects representing Moreno’s work as a civil rights activist and labor organizer with union pins as well as her shawl and a pamphlet to rally national attention and halt Moreno’s deportation.
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Special Olympics at 50July 10, 2018 – October 17, 2021American History Museum
Commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first International Special Olympics Games through the stories of four accomplished athletes who participated in them.
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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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In Memoriam: Barbara BushApril 18, 2018 – April 29, 2018Portrait Gallery
The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery recognizes the life of Barbara Bush with a photograph by Diana Walker taken in 1989.
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In Memoriam: Mathilde KrimJanuary 22, 2018 – February 22, 2018Portrait Gallery
The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery recognizes the life and accomplishments of AIDS research pioneer Dr. Mathilde Krim with a photograph by Annie Leibovitz.
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Murder Is Her Hobby: Frances Glessner Lee and the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained DeathOctober 20, 2017 – January 28, 2018Renwick Gallery
Murder is Her Hobby: Frances Glessner Lee and The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death explores the unexpected intersection between craft and forensic science.
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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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Uniformed Women in the Great WarApril 6, 2017 – April 28, 2019American History Museum
Selection of World War I uniforms on display highlighting the varied roles of uniformed women that allowed them to express their patriotism.
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The First Lady of Song: Ella Fitzgerald at 100April 1, 2017 – July 15, 2018American History Museum
Highlighting Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996), one of the greatest American singers.
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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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Elaine de Kooning: PortraitsMarch 13, 2015 – January 10, 2016Portrait Gallery
Elaine de Kooning’s gestural portraits of friends and family were much admired during her lifetime, and included many well-known Americans.
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A Room of Her Own: My Mother's Altar, an installation by Sandra CisnerosOctober 31, 2014 – September 7, 2015American History Museum
Acclaimed author Sandra Cisneros has created an installation in the tradition of "Dia de Muertos" to honor her mother, Elvira Cordero Cisneros.
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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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