From the Collection | Categories | Smithsonian American Art Museum

SAAM is home to one of the largest and most inclusive collections of American art in the world, capturing the aspirations, character and imagination of the American people. Explore highlights from the eighteenth century to today.

Taking a Closer Look at James Hampton’s The Throne of the Third Heaven

Our video series American Art Moments takes a closer look at a powerful yet enigmatic installation in SAAM’s collection by a self-taught artist

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From the Collection
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The Mystery Around a Byzantine-style Necklace

Uncovering the secrets of one of SAAM’s treasures

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Exhibitions

From the Collection

Conservation
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Black Friday Art Browsing

Not to be shady, but sometimes the cure for Black Friday stress is art

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From the Collection
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Kay WalkingStick and the Indigenous Presence in American Landscape Painting

A look at three paintings that represent three different decades of the artist’s vibrant career

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From the Collection

New Acquisitions
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Decorative Arts in Focus: Miniature Diorama of John Gellatly Collection

How John Gellatly’s eclectic collection of fine and decorative arts took over his New York home and six rooms in the Heckscher Building

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Exhibitions

From the Collection
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Native American Arts in Focus: Sustaining Traditions—Digital Memories

Discover how artist Kelly Church is ensuring that centuries of Indigenous traditions are preserved for future generations with her beautifully woven basketry.

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Contemporary Craft

Exhibitions

From the Collection

New Acquisitions

Craft and Decorative Arts
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Are You Feeling Spooky or Soulful This Season?

Choose how to celebrate the season with two different ways to explore SAAM's collection

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From the Collection
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Exploring Latinx Stories in American Art

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a look into the diversity and depth of SAAM’s Latinx collection

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Chicano Graphics

From the Collection
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The Art of Remembering 9/11

Artworks in SAAM’s collection and the stories they tell us about 9/11

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From the Collection
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Connecting with Nam June Paik’s Electronic Superhighway

Reflecting on Paik's innovative installation with a new installment of the video series American Art Moments

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From the Collection
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Making William H. Johnson’s Sunflowers Bloom Again

SAAM's conservation fellow explores the extra challenges of treating an iconic artwork during the pandemic

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From the Collection

Conservation
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Chicanx Graphic Arts in Focus: RIFA, from Méchicano 1977 Calendario

Go in-depth with ¡Printing the Revolution's! iconic image

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Chicano Graphics

Exhibitions

From the Collection
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Chicanx Graphic Arts in Focus: Between the Leopard and the Jaguar

Artist Melanie Cervantes explores indigeneity, identity, and activism in her printmaking practice

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Chicano Graphics

Exhibitions

From the Collection

New Acquisitions
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A Brush with History: Good Hair Advice Is Never Out of Style

Three years ago we imagined the letters of nineteenth-century portrait sitters to Jonathan Van Ness, star of the Netflix’s series Queer Eye. With so many of us looking for advice about how to tame our unmanageable pandemic hair, we thought we’d take another look.

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From the Collection

Pride

Luce Foundation Center
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Using Science to Uncover Secrets of Alma Thomas

Conservators at SAAM uncover new aspects of the influential artist’s work

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From the Collection

Conservation
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Five Women Changemakers in American Art

Celebrating Women’s History Month by illuminating the stories of women who challenged both what art could be and who could be an artist.

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From the Collection
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