Fine Arts

The Extreme Makeover of Empress Dowager Cixi

China’s Empress Dowager commissioned portraits—now on display at the Sackler Gallery—in an attempt to polish her public image

September 27, 2011

Events Sept 26-29: Great Apes, The Peacock Room, Immigrants and Revolutionists, and Talking About Andy

This week, learn from gorillas, see a masterpiece of Asian art, play a pop quiz, and hear from an expert about Andy Warhol

September 26, 2011

Historian Amy Henderson: Movies Make Museums Move

Guest blogger Henderson ponders the idea that the big screen deserves its own gallery

September 23, 2011

Celebrating B.B. King, the Face of the Blues

A look back at the American music icon

September 16, 2011

“Central Nigeria Unmasked” at the African Art Museum

A landmark new exhibition takes visitors on a tour through the world of African art

September 16, 2011

The List: Five Study Nooks in and Around the Smithsonian Museums

Calling all students, finding it hard to concentrate on your studies, we recommend five cool places to hit the books

September 14, 2011

The Different Faces of Korean Heritage at the Portrait Gallery

Artist CYJO discusses The KYOPO Project, a portrait ensemble of more than 200 individuals born in Korea, but living abroad

September 13, 2011

Events Sept 12-15: The Star-Spangled Banner, The Chawaytiri of Peru, Smith Art Lecture, and Airmen of Note

See American history come alive, listen to lectures by distinguished speakers, and enjoy the sounds of one of the country’s top jazz bands

September 12, 2011

Weekend Events Sept 9-11: Remembering 9/11, Oral Traditions, and Jazz Competition

September 8, 2011

Thoreau Leaves Walden Pond

On this day in 1847, Henry David Thoreau ended his celebrated time in solitude and took up the great task of writing about it

September 6, 2011

Events September 6-8: Zoo Photo Club, Hands-on Astronomy and ASL Art Tour

This week, learn how to photograph exotic animals, get a telescopic look at the sky, and see American Art through a new perspective

September 6, 2011

Events August 29-September 1: Zoo Cuisine, “For All the World To See,” Let’s Eat!, Apache 8

This week, see feeding time for exotic animals, get a guided tour of the Civil Rights movement and more

August 29, 2011

Flamingos Duck for Cover in the Hirshhorn’s New Black Box Installation

August 26, 2011

Truman Capote, America’s Author-Celebrity

Just a few decades ago, one of the country’s biggest superstars was a writer. Capote’s story goes from pariah to celebrated socialite and back again

August 25, 2011

Events August 22-25: Addy’s World, Draw & Discover, Child of the Civil Rights Movement and More

Take a tour through American history, create your own art, listen to an author speak about civil rights, and enjoy a tour of an exhibition soon to close

August 22, 2011

Meet Amy Henderson, Historian at the National Portrait Gallery

Our guest blogger ponders the “spirits” of America’s heroes and their legacies as she walks the museum’s hallways

August 19, 2011

Events: August 19-21: Drunken Master, Hip Hop Kung Fu, Art + Coffee

This upcoming weekend, check out a Kung Fu classic, a hip hop performance and meet emerging musicians

August 18, 2011

Events August 15 – 18: Born to Be Wild, Negro League Stories, Book Signing and a Jazz Funk Show

This week, Smithsonian brings you an IMAX animal adventure, storytelling about the Negro League era, a visiting author and a free outdoor jazz funk concert

August 15, 2011

Encountering the Asian American Experience at Portrait Gallery

Konrad Ng, director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program, shares his insights on “Portraiture Now: Asian American Portraits of Encounter”

August 12, 2011

Weekend Events August 12-14: Calder Exhibition Closes, Flying Dogs, and a Scavenger Hunt

This weekend, bring your child for story time at the Air and Space Museum, play in a scavenger hunt , and catch a sculpture exhibit that’s about to close

August 11, 2011