Smithsonian Snapshot CameraSmithsonian Snapshot

A peek into our collections, one object at a time
Painting of dancers
National Museum of African Art

Milky Way Myth

Among the hunter-gatherers of sub-Saharan Africa known as the Khoisan, a myth has been passed on for generations.
Pencil drawing of one soldier carrying another

Artist Soldiers

Artists depict the realities of war.
Pop art poster for The Who

1967 and the Summer of Love

Psychedelic posters capture the essence of an era.
celia cruz in yellow tango dress
National Portrait Gallery

Celia Cruz

¡Azúcar! Remembering the Queen of Salsa.
Georgia O'Keefe grooming her dogs

Georgia O’Keeffe at Home

In 1966, Life magazine sent photographer John Loengard to document a day in the life of artist Georgia O’Keeffe.
derelict urban site

Down These Mean Streets

Urban landscapes and the possibilities of revitalization.
animation of squirrel wearing a cape
Smithsonian Snapshot

It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s a…Squirrel!

A very, very rare squirrel.
Bags of brightly colored thread seen from above
Smithsonian Snapshot

Scraps: From Treasure to Trash to Treasure

Learn about creative, alternative approaches to confronting textile waste.
hand holding crystal devil horns
Smithsonian Snapshot

I Wanna Rock!

The hand gesture known as devil horns, or rock horns, gained popularity at 1970s heavy-metal concerts as a staple of audience appreciation.
President John F. Kennedy

The Centennial of President John F. Kennedy’s Birth

A portrait of the 35th U.S. President.
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.

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