Introduction The Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) is a major art museum located in Washington, D.C., United States. It is part of the Smithsonian Institution and is dedicated to the collection, preservation, study, and exhibition of American art from the colonial period to the present day. The museum's collection includes over 40,000 works of art, making it one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of American art in the world.
The Museum Smithsonian American Art Museum (Washington, United States)
Introduction
The Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) is a major art museum located in Washington, D.C., United States. It is part of the Smithsonian Institution and is dedicated to the collection, preservation, study, and exhibition of American art from the colonial period to the present day. The museum's collection includes over 40,000 works of art, making it one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of American art in the world.
History
The Smithsonian American Art Museum was established in 1829 as the National Institution for the Promotion of the Fine Arts. It was renamed to its current name in 1968, when it became part of the Smithsonian Institution. The museum's building, located on F Street NW between 7th and 9th Streets, was designed by architect Cass Gilbert and completed in 1908. The building originally housed the U.S. Patent Office and later served as the National Portrait Gallery before becoming the home of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in 1968.
Collection
The Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection is divided into several departments, including painting, sculpture, photography, prints and drawings, decorative arts, and folk art. The museum's holdings include works by some of the most famous American artists, such as John Singleton Copley, Thomas Eakins, Winslow Homer, Mary Cassatt, Georgia O'Keeffe, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol.
The museum also has a strong focus on contemporary art, with a collection that includes works by artists such as Chuck Close, Jenny Holzer, Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman, and Kara Walker. The museum's photography collection is particularly noteworthy, with over 15,000 works by photographers such as Ansel Adams, Diane Arbus, Richard Avedon, Dorothea Lange, and Alfred Stieglitz.
Exhibitions
The Smithsonian American Art Museum hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions throughout the year, featuring works from its own collection as well as loans from other museums and private collections. The museum also organizes traveling exhibitions that tour to institutions around the country and abroad.
One of the museum's most popular exhibition series is "American Art," which explores different themes and periods in American art history. Recent exhibitions in this series have included "The Civil War and American Art" (2013), "Artists Respond: American Art and the Vietnam War, 1965-1975" (2019), and "Making Modernism: A Revolution in American Art, 1900-1960" (2021).
Education and Public Programs
The Smithsonian American Art Museum offers a wide range of education and public programs, including lectures, artist talks, workshops, and family activities. The museum also has a robust online presence, with resources such as virtual tours, educational videos, and interactive games for children.
Conclusion
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is one of the most important art museums in the United States, with a collection that spans centuries of American art history. The museum's commitment to education and public programs makes it an essential resource for scholars, artists, and visitors alike. Whether you are a seasoned art lover or just starting to explore American art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum is a must-visit destination.
For more information about the Smithsonian American Art Museum, please visit https://americanart.si.edu/.
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