American Art Museum
Colonial to present-day American Art.
The Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) in Washington D.C. The Smithsonian American Art Museum is one of the Smithsonian Institution's museums located in Washington, D.C. It is the nation's first federal art collection and the oldest art museum in the United States. The museum is dedicated to the preservation, study, and exhibition of American art, including painting, sculpture, graphic arts, and decorative arts.
The museum's exhibits focus on American art and culture, from the colonial period to the present. The museum's collection includes works by many of America's most renowned artists such as Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, and Georgia O'Keeffe. The museum's exhibits are divided into several main areas: American Art, Modern American Art, and Folk & Self-Taught Art. The American Art exhibit features art from the colonial period to the Civil War, including works by John Singleton Copley, Gilbert Stuart, and Charles Willson Peale. The Modern American Art exhibit features art from the late 19th century to the present, including works by Edward Hopper, Childe Hassam, and Georgia O'Keeffe. The Folk & Self-Taught Art exhibit features art by self-taught and folk artists, including works by Grandma Moses and Horace Pippin.
The museum also has a collection of over 40,000 objects, including paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, and works on paper. The museum's collection is particularly strong in the areas of American Impressionism, American Realism, and American folk art.
In addition to its exhibits, the museum offers a variety of educational programs, lectures, and workshops for visitors of all ages. The museum is open every day except December 25th, and admission is free.
Here are some interesting facts about the Smithsonian American Art Museum:
The museum was established in 1829 and is the oldest art museum in the United States
The museum's collection is the oldest federal art collection in the United States
The museum's Renwick Gallery, located across the street from the museum, is dedicated to American craft and decorative art
The museum's Luce Foundation Center for American Art is an open storage area that allows visitors to view over 3,300 works from the museum's collection
The museum's Kogod Courtyard features a large-scale bronze sculpture by artist John Safer, one of the biggest indoor sculptures in the world.
Overall, the Smithsonian American Art Museum is a must-see destination for anyone interested in American art and culture. With its vast collection of artworks, dynamic exhibits, and educational programs, it offers visitors a unique and engaging look at the history of American art, including painting, sculpture, graphic arts, and decorative arts.