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Katie Hondorf

Katie Hondorf is a Public Affairs Specialist at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Stories from this author

Painting with a dark blue center circle surrounded by concentric circles of reds, oranges, and yellow

Reflecting on the Natural Wonders of an Eclipse

Before heading outside to witness the eclipse, immerse yourself in one of the most iconic artworks in SAAM’s collection

“I’ll take Alexander von Humboldt for $500, Alex.”

Jeopardy! Champion Ken Jennings on Lessons Learned from Alexander von Humboldt

“I’ll take Alexander von Humboldt for $500, Alex.”

Chiura Obata,

Chiura Obata: Artist Interrupted

In our time of social distancing, Obata's handwritten notes have us thinking about how we communicate with one another, and how important a simple note can be.

Chapter three begins with an image of a black walnut branch and its hanging flowers.

Designing for Humboldt: Five Questions with Karen Siatras

How a graphic designer at SAAM was inspired to incorporate Humboldt's ideas about nature into the exhibition catalogue

Frederic Edwin Church, “Study for “The Heart of the Andes,”” 1858, oil on canvas, 10 1/4 x 18 1/4 in., Olana State Historic Site, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, OL.1981.47.A.B.

A Brush with Nature: Alexander von Humboldt and Frederic Church

Humboldt's ideas on art, nature, and philosophy helped to shape American artists, including the influential Hudson River school painters

Friedrich Georg Weitsch, Portrait of

Before There Was Beyoncé, There Was Humboldt

Meet Alexander von Humboldt, the singular superstar of the 1800s