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Find behind-the-scenes museum stories about artworks, artists, and more.
A new exhibition explores how the history of race in the United States is entwined in the history of American sculpture.
SAAM
Exploring history, politics, and culture with Puerto Rican artist Miguel Luciano
SAAM
The lives of Loïs Mailou Jones and Elizabeth Catlett intersected briefly but formatively in the 1930s at Howard University
SAAM
Sculpture09/17/2019
Taking a closer look at an iconic work by the sculptor who was born on September 17, 1880.
Clarisse Fava-Piz
Taking a closer look at the making of Duane Hanson's iconic sculpture
Danielle O'Steen
Sculpture05/24/2018
On the artist Vinnie Ream, one of a handful of successful female sculptors in the 19th century, and her sculpture, Sappho, on view at SAAM.
Sarah Hines
What's going on behind-the-scenes at the Renwick Gallery? While the Renwick is closed, it's far from dark: artists are installing the large-scale works that will be a part of No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man, opening on March 30.
Libby Weiler
IT Specialist - External Affairs and Digital Strategies
One of the best parts of my day is the time I set aside to search through the comments and photos people share with us on social media about the museum's artworks.
Amy Fox
Social Media and Digital Content Specialist
Sculpture12/21/2015
SAAM has just announced it is acquiring David Smith’s Agricola IV, a ground-breaking sculpture by one of the country’s most important artists. Agricola IV is a major addition to the museum’s presentation of American art in the twentieth century.
SAAM Staff
Blog Editor
Sculpture09/29/2015
Hiram Powers' first marble version of the Greek Slave appeared more lifelike than ever at the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, where it stood on a rotating pedestal under a lavish red canopy that gave the marble a rosy hue. Six million visitors attended this international fair, which took place in London in 1851 in the glass pavilion known as the Crystal Palace. It was the first exhibition of its kind to include a section dedicated to the United States.
SAAM Staff
Blog Editor
Karen Lemmey, SAAM's sculpture curator, has organized an installation entitled Measured Perfection: Hiram Powers' Greek Slave. Powers' Greek Slave was one of the most popular sculptures of the 19th century. As part of her preparation, Karen worked with Smithsonian X 3D, part of the Institution's Digitization program, to create a 3D model of the this sculpture. Karen continues to explain the process. You may also read her first post on creating a 3D model of the sculpture, as well as a piece about conserving the Greek Slave.
SAAM Staff
Blog Editor
Karen Lemming, American Art's sculpture curator is organizing an installation that will include Hiram Power's Greek Slave, one of the most popular sculptures of the 19th century. As part of her preparation, she is working with Smithsonian X3D, part of the Institution's Digitization program, to create a 3D model of the Greek Slave. Karen, fills us in on the process.
SAAM Staff
Blog Editor
Allison Rabent is a pre-program volunteer at the Lunder Conservation Center. She is working with conservators on a variety of activities. Allison, along with the project's lead, Conservation Technician Susan Edwards, recently investigated an ongoing treatment of Hiram Powers' Greek Slave and shares their findings with us below. American Art's sculpture curator, Karen Lemmey, contributed to this post.
Chris
Sculpture11/09/2007
There was a huge crane outside the museum and a large truck that contained Holzer's For SAAM, her 2007 conceptual site-specific sculpture. The twenty-eight-foot piece was protected by a long crate.
Howard Kaplan
Writer