Past Exhibitions | Smithsonian Institution

Dizzy Gillespie

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery honors the life and legacy of jazz trumpeter, composer and band leader Dizzy Gillespie on the centennial of his birth.

October 26, 2017 – November 26, 2017

Portrait Gallery

Jo Davidson: Biographer in Bronze

On view are portraits made by renowned American sculptor Jo Davidson between 1908 and 1946.

July 1, 2006 – November 5, 2017

Portrait Gallery

Recent Acquisitions

This annual exhibition features 29 objects that showcase some of the newest additions to the museum’s collection

November 18, 2016 – October 30, 2017

Portrait Gallery

America's Presidents Temporary Installation

While the regular gallery space is being refurbished and updated, America’s Presidents will be temporarily installed in the west gallery on the second floor.

March 24, 2017 – September 4, 2017

Portrait Gallery

Celebrate: John F. Kennedy

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery joins the nationwide celebration of the life and legacy of President John F. Kennedy on the centennial of his birth.

May 19, 2017 – July 9, 2017

Portrait Gallery

Double Take: Daguerreian Portrait Pairs

This show highlights the depth of the National Portrait Gallery’s early photography collection, featuring fourteen historic daguerreotypes—two portraits each of famous mid-19th century figures, including Frederick Douglass, Jenny Lind, Zachary Taylor, and Jefferson Davis.

June 17, 2016 – June 4, 2017

Portrait Gallery

One Life: Babe Ruth

Babe Ruth's memorable persona is highlighted in a selection of historic prints, photographs and personal paraphernalia representing “the Babe” both as a Yankee slugger and a national celebrity.

June 24, 2016 – May 21, 2017

Portrait Gallery

Celebrate: Ella Fitzgerald

April 25 marks the 100th birthday of American jazz and popular song vocalist Ella Fitzgerald. The museum is recognizing the anniversary by displaying her photograph by William Gottlieb for the first time in the museum.

April 13, 2017 – May 14, 2017

Portrait Gallery

Bill Viola: The Moving Portrait

Video-art pioneer Bill Viola believes that cameras are the keepers of souls. From the moment he first picked up a video camera as an art student in 1970, he was captured by the technology. The exhibition Bill Viola and the Moving Portrait is the National Portrait Gallery’s first exhibition devoted to media art.

November 18, 2016 – May 7, 2017

Portrait Gallery

In Memoriam: Chuck Berry

The National Portrait Gallery recognizes the life and accomplishments of rock ’n’ roll legend Chuck Berry with a collage by Red Grooms (1978), currently installed in the museum’s In Memoriam space on the first floor.

March 21, 2017 – April 9, 2017

Portrait Gallery

America's Presidents

America’s Presidents showcases an enhanced and extended display of multiple images of the past presidents of the United States.

July 1, 2006 – February 26, 2017

Portrait Gallery

Inauguration 2017: Donald J. Trump

The photograph, taken in 1989 by photographer Michael O’Brien, shows Trump tossing an apple with his right hand. It was added to the collection in 2011.

January 13, 2017 – February 26, 2017

Portrait Gallery

In the Groove: Jazz Portraits by Herman Leonard

This exhibition from the collection of the National Portrait Gallery features Leonard’s iconic images of jazz legends such as Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday, Thelonious Monk, and Sarah Vaughan.

August 5, 2016 – February 20, 2017

Portrait Gallery

In Memoriam: John Glenn

The National Portrait Gallery celebrates the accomplishments of astronaut and Senator John Glenn with a watercolor and graphite portrait by Henry C. Caselli Jr.

December 9, 2016 – January 9, 2017

Portrait Gallery

The Outwin 2016: American Portraiture Today

Every three years the National Portrait Gallery invites artists from across the nation to submit their best works of portrayal. Jurors select the finest works that showcase mastery and innovation in the form.

March 12, 2016 – January 8, 2017

Portrait Gallery

In Memoriam: Arnold Palmer

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery recognizes the life and accomplishments of professional golfer Arnold Palmer with an oil painting by Paul Burns installed in the museum’s “In Memoriam” space.

September 26, 2016 – October 30, 2016

Portrait Gallery

Recent Acquisitions

This annual exhibition features 29 objects that tell the story and identity of America through the art of portraiture and showcase some of the newest additions to the museum’s collection.

November 6, 2015 – October 30, 2016

Portrait Gallery

Celebrate: Bob Dylan

The National Portrait Gallery celebrates the accomplishments of the singer and songwriter Bob Dylan, who was awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize for Literature Oct. 13.

October 17, 2016 – October 30, 2016

Portrait Gallery

Kevin Spacey as President Francis J. Underwood

The Portrait Gallery unveiled a new portrait of Kevin Spacey as his Golden Globe-winning character Frank Underwood from the Netflix original series, House of Cards. The monumental painting, which measures six feet by six feet, was painted by Jonathan Yeo.

February 24, 2016 – October 10, 2016

Portrait Gallery

Hollywood and Time: Celebrity Covers

Hollywood personalities who once graced theater marquees across America are featured in original cover art commissioned by Time magazine. Included are vintage portraits of stars, as well as Oscar-winning directors.

April 1, 2016 – September 11, 2016

Portrait Gallery

Eye Pop: The Celebrity Gaze

Celebrity faces are everywhere. This exhibition questions the separate roles of subject, artist and viewer in creating and experiencing the celebrity gaze.

May 22, 2015 – July 10, 2016

Portrait Gallery

In Memoriam: Muhammad Ali

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery recognizes the life and accomplishments of “The Greatest”—Muhammad Ali—with a photograph by Yousuf Karsh. The image, taken in 1970, is installed in the museum’s In Memoriam space. The Portrait Gallery has 14 images of the boxer, including a 1981 painting on the third-floor mezzanine, titled “Cat’s Cradle,” by Henry C. Casselli Jr. Media.

June 6, 2016 – July 6, 2016

Portrait Gallery

Althea Gibson

Smithsonianmag.com voters choose between portraits of Gibson, Eleanor Holm and Helene Madison, and Duke Kahanamoku to go on view. Gibson’s photograph received the most votes.

June 3, 2016 – June 5, 2016

Portrait Gallery

From Token to Ornament: Indian Peace Medals and the McKenney-Hall Portraits

Beginning with George Washington’s administration, presidential portrait medals were created to promote peace and friendship between Euro-Americans and Native Americans. This exhibition features 21 objects, including photographs, prints, and peace medals.

June 19, 2015 – June 5, 2016

Portrait Gallery

In Memoriam: Prince

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery recognizes the life and accomplishments of Prince Nelson with a photograph by Lynn Goldsmith. The image was taken in 1993.

April 22, 2016 – May 31, 2016

Portrait Gallery