Fine Arts
The World’s Oldest Photography Museum Goes Digital
From 19th century daguerrotypes to photos of Martin Luther King Jr., some of photography's history goes online
April 08, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Events April 9-11: Tarantulas, Star Gazing and an Award-winning Film
This week, hold some creepy crawlers, look at craters on the moon and watch a film based on Joseph Conrad's first novel
April 08, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Miss Piggy, My Feather Boa and A Moment to Consider Makeup’s Greasy Past
No Fools Need Apply to the Smithsonian's Curatorial Conference On Stuff, A Sometimes Annual Scholarly Gathering on a Subject Rarely Considered
April 05, 2013 |
By Amy Henderson
Every Day a Different Dish: Klari Reis’ Petri Paintings
This year, a San Francisco-based artist will unveil 365 new paintings, reminiscent of growing bacteria, on her blog, The Daily Dish
April 05, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
The History of the Flapper, Part 5: Who Was Behind the Fashions?
Sears styles sprung from the ideas of European artists and couturiers
April 05, 2013 |
By Emily Spivack
Events April 5-7: Japanese Art, Poetry Month and African-American Architects
This week, experience Japanese design, celebrate poetry with your family and learn about African Americans' roles in shaping Washington, DC's architecture
April 04, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
This Picture of Boston, Circa 1860, Is the World’s Oldest Surviving Aerial Photo
A sight from 2,000 feet, a view of 1860s Boston
April 03, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Dave Brubeck’s Son, Darius, Reflects on His Father’s Legacy
As a global citizen and cultural bridge-builder, Dave Brubeck captivated the world with his music, big heart and a vision of unity
April 02, 2013 |
By Joann Stevens
Michael Benson’s Awe-Inspiring Views of the Solar System
A photographer painstakingly pieces together raw data collected by spacecraft to produce color-perfect images of the Sun, planets and their many moons
April 02, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
Events April 2-4: Native Sousa Music, Free Art Lessons and Gerhard Richter
This week, learn about a little-known Native American musical tradition, make something creative and see a world-class painter in action
April 01, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Photos: The U.S. Military’s Prototype for a Flying Submarine
Capable of carrying 66 tons of cargo, the Aeroscraft could bring airships back to the skies
April 2013 |
By Mark Strauss
PHOTOS: Life Along the Borders
The recent book On Borders features the work of photographers who captured images of boundaries both literal and metaphorical
April 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
How Much Water Is in a Cloud and More Questions From Our Readers
Imaginary numbers, Roy Lichtenstein and much much more
April 2013 |
By Smithsonian magazine
What Major World Cities Look Like at Night, Minus the Light Pollution
Photographer Thierry Cohen tries to reconnect city dwellers with nature through his mind-blowing composite images—now at New York City's Danziger Gallery
March 29, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
Events March 29-31: Parasitic Wasps, Joseph Henry and Victorian Portraits
This weekend, learn about wasps that live inside their prey, meet Smithsonian's first secretary from 1846 and see living rooms from 150 years ago
March 28, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Butterflies, Baseball and Blossoms: Tours for Your Spring Vacation
Two custom tours come fully loaded with insider information, digital postcards and step-by-step directions
March 27, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
An Artist’s Ode to Plankton, Set to Puccini’s ‘La Boheme’
Instead of singing to Mimi, the poet Rodolfo serenades a giant stalks of human-sized plankton wrapped in plastic pollution
March 27, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Beyond Chinua Achebe: Five Great African Authors You Should Read Right Now
Two curators from the African Art Museum recommend recent African authors who have joined Achebe in shaping the world's understanding of the African experience
March 26, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
The Otherworldly Calm of Wolfgang Laib’s Glowing Beeswax Room
A German contemporary artist creates a meditative space—lined with beeswax—at the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C.
March 26, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino


