World AIDS Day
A blog post to commemorate World AIDS Day, December 1, 2018, reflecting on an artwork in our collection.
Eye Level
Eye Level is the blog of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery. Publishing behind-the-scenes museum stories since 2005.
The Evolving Styles of William H. Johnson: Paintings in the Luce Foundation Center
The Luce Foundation Center currently has 22 paintings on view by William H. Johnson (1901-1970), one of America’s foremost African American artists and a major figure in 20th century art. Luce visitors may notice that Johnson’s paintings appear to be done in two very different styles. These two styles can be separated into time periods, 1926-1938 and 1939-1945.
Sneak Peek: Renwick Invitational 2018
Sneak Peek: Renwick Invitational 2018
Disrupting Craft: Renwick Invitational 2018 opens Friday, November 9, and might be just what you need this week.
Qualification, Exclusion, and the Art of Bill Traylor
Curator Leslie Umberger details the importance of Traylor as one of America's most important artists.
Movies at SAAM: The Art of the Score
Movies at SAAM presents an inside look at Hollywood film scores.
On Between Worlds: The Art of Bill Traylor
On Between Worlds: The Art of Bill Traylor
An interview with SAAM curator, Leslie Umberger, on the life and art of Bill Traylor.
Testing a New Reality for Museum VR
Noah Kim, Media & Technology intern for summer 2018, describes his experiences helping with the virtual reality project, "Beyond the Walls."
Art Bites: Nocturnal (Horizon Line)
Susana Rodriguez, a Visiting Student at SAAM and NPG, discusses Teresita Fernández's work, Nocturnal, (Horizon Line), 2010.
Art Bites: Gold Mining, Cripple Creek
The author looks at Ernest Lawson's painting, "Gold Mining, Cripple Creek," with the environment in mind.
Conservation: A Tale of Two Summers
CIBA intern Matthew Fields describes his work conserving a diorama from 1940.
Beyond the Studio with Lily Cox
A Luce Foundation interview with Lily Cox about her upcoming Beyond the Studio workshop where she'll be demonstrating the art of kokedama
Between Worlds: The Art of Bill Traylor opens today
Bill Traylor (ca. 1853–1949) is among the most important American artists of the twentieth century.
More Pepper, Please!
Scanning... Scanning... Pepper the robot has a few surprising special skills to share at Technology Family Day.
Through the Eye of the Needle: Treating a 1940 Diorama
CIBA conservator Tamara Dissi talks about her work conserving a diorama from 1940.
Back to School with SAAM
While many of us are planning one last beach getaway, teachers and students in several places around the country have already headed back to the classroom. You might be surprised, however, to hear some of the ways artworks in SAAM’s collection will be showing up with them!
Road Trip: Burning Man
SAAM director Stephanie Stebich recounts some of her experiences at Burning Man, 2017.
A Woman Deserving our Attention and RESPECT
In honor of the Queen of Soul, the iconic singer and songwriter, Aretha Franklin.
The Face of the Madonna and the Eyes of a Child: On Sargent's "Elizabeth Winthrop Chanler"
Taking another look at John Singer Sargent’s portrait of Elizabeth Winthrop Chanler.