Exhibitions
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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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Storied Women of the Civil War EraMay 24, 2019 – March 20, 2022Portrait Gallery
This 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 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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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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Emily Howland Photography AlbumMarch 25, 2019 – March 31, 2019African American History and Culture Museum
The Emily Howland photography album containing a previously unknown portrait of abolitionist and Underground Railroad-conductor Harriet Tubman is on view.
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Ella's Books: Volumes from the Library of Ella FitzgeraldJanuary 1, 2019 – January 31, 2020African American History and Culture Museum
Books that were once part of Ella Fitzgerald’s personal library are on display in the museum library’s exhibit case.
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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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Watching Oprah: The Oprah Winfrey Show and American CultureJune 8, 2018 – June 2, 2019African American History and Culture Museum
This exhibition explores the era that shaped Oprah Winfrey’s life and early career in TV, her talk show that dominated daytime TV for 25 years, and the ways in which she has influenced American popular culture.
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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 Her Words: Women's Duty and Service in World War IFebruary 2, 2018 – September 5, 2018Postal Museum
Through the letters and artifacts of four women, visitors can explore unique, personal perspectives on life, duty, and service during the war.
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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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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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