Smithsonian Snapshot CameraSmithsonian Snapshot

A peek into our collections, one object at a time
carrot man
Smithsonian Snapshot

Carrot Man

A dapper carrot illustrates a seed card, which were wildly popular in the Victorian era.
Detail, “Moon at Shinagawa”
Smithsonian Snapshot

Kitagawa Utamaro

Three paintings by the legendary but mysterious Japanese artist Kitagawa Utamaro are reunited.
portrait of Benito Juarez
Smithsonian Snapshot

Cinco de Mayo

What are the origins of Mexico's Cinco de Mayo holiday?
Bright yellow frog against white background
Smithsonian Snapshot

Panamanian Golden Frog

A deadly amphibian fungus is threatening the world's frogs, and Smithsonian scientists are working to save them.
Close-up of orchid Galearis Spectabilis
Smithsonian Snapshot

Orchids and Fungus: A Conservation Connection

Conserving orchids by studying their symbiotic relationship with fungi.
Close-up of black-footed ferret
Smithsonian Snapshot

Black-footed ferret

Thought to be extinct until a small population was discovered in 1981, black-footed ferret populations are recovering with help from Smithsonian scientists.
Closeup of Mary Hagedorn in scuba gear superimposed on photo of coral reef
Smithsonian Snapshot

Preserving Coral Reefs

Mary Hagedorn’s team has created a biobank to help the fight against corals' extinction.
tinted portrait of Japanese women in kimonos among cherry blossoms
Freer Gallery of Art

Cherry blossoms

More than a century ago, cherry trees made beautiful backdrops for photos—just as they do today.
Painted copper mask
Smithsonian Snapshot

La Malinche

This copper mask was used in traditional Mesoamerican dances.
photo of early female aviator
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Janet Harmon Bragg: Aviator

Janet Harmon Bragg is one of the first female black aviators and the first to hold a commercial pilot’s license.
elaborate Victorian card
Smithsonian Snapshot

Sending the Very Best for Valentine’s Day

This elaborate card made in Germany dates from 1900.
B&W photo of Saralegui interviewing guest in front of an audience
National Portrait Gallery

Meet the Cuban Oprah: Cristina Saralegui

To millions of people, she’s known on a first-name basis: Cristina.
Poster for film The Endless Summer
Smithsonian Snapshot

Endless Summer

An iconic poster for a seminal surf movie.
Animation of exercising girl scout
Smithsonian Snapshot

How Are Those New Year’s Resolutions Going?

"Taking exercise" 1920s' style.
Photo of mail carrier with baby in a mailbag
Smithsonian Snapshot

Special Delivery

Sending babies in the mail.
Japanese woodprint of puppies
Smithsonian Snapshot

Snow puppies

Perhaps puppies cuddling in the snow makes winter’s bite not so unpleasant?
Guitar with airbrushed portrait of Carlos Vives

Vallenato Makes History at the Smithsonian

Colombian Grammy Award-winning singer and composer Carlos Vives is best known for his vallenato chart-topping hits.
Waving Skeleton
Smithsonian Snapshot

Hi, Halloween!

A cheerful skeleton gives a wave.
animated gif of skeletons dancing on book page
Smithsonian Snapshot

Tequila!

A Neanderthal makes some moves.
Chuck Berry's red Cadillac on display
Smithsonian Snapshot

Rock ’n’ Roll Ride

The legendary Chuck Berry's red Cadillac.
dogs grouped into letters
Smithsonian Snapshot

Sit! Stay! Spell!

Whimsical wallpaper.
brightly colored woven sculpture of bird
Smithsonian Snapshot

A Finery-Feathered Friend

Crocheted suits carry a message about biodiversity.
Mark Spitz in Speedo wearing gold medals
Smithsonian Snapshot

Let the Games Begin

Mark Spitz set the world record for the most gold medals in a single Olympics.
Neon sculpture of the United States composed of televisions
Smithsonian Snapshot

See the U.S.A. on Paik’s “Electronic Superhighway”

This neon artwork shows the viewer the U.S. by highway--no car needed.

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