1. NEW WEB FEATURES: OPENING EXHIBITIONS: LOOKING IN: ROBERT FRANK'S "THE AMERICANS" AND Reading the Modern Photography Book: Changing Perceptions
First published in France in 1958 and in the United States in 1959, Robert Frank's The Americans is widely celebrated as the most important photography book published since World War II. Our new interactive Web feature follows Frank's photographic journey through the United States, while examining the editing and sequencing processes for his photography and its publication. The installation Reading the Modern Photography Book: Changing Perception, shown in conjunction with the Robert Frank exhibition, offers a slideshow of images from the Gallery's library of modern photography books, with examples from the late 1920s to the early 1970s.
http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/frankinfo.shtm (exhibition information)
http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/2009/frank/index.shtm (LOOKING IN exhibition feature)
http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/2009/frank/library/index.shtm (Modern Photography Book exhibition feature)
http://shop.nga.gov/nga/category.cgi?item=410000301869 (purchase the exhibition catalogue)
http://shop.nga.gov/nga/category.cgi?item=410000262726 (purchase Robert Frank: The Americans—50th Anniversary Edition)
2. THIS MONTH'S FEATURED ARTWORK FROM THE COLLECTION: WOMAN HOLDING A BALANCE BY JOHANNES VERMEER
Vermeer's Woman Holding a Balance is an allegorical scene that urges us to conduct our lives with temperance and moderation. The painting within the painting offers an important clue: the Last Judgment is placed directly behind the woman, who holds a balance and stands before a table strewn with earthly treasures. Her contemplative gaze, as she waits for the balance to reach equilibrium, seems to acknowledge that temporal decisions will have eternal consequences. On view in the West Building, Main Floor, Gallery 50C. Learn more in our new video podcast, Vermeer: Master of Light—The Music Lesson, Part 1, and Girl with the Red Hat, Part 2.
http://www.nga.gov/fcgi-bin/tinfo_f?object=1236 (Woman Holding a Balance)
http://www.nga.gov/cgi-bin/tbio?tperson=1951 (Vermeer biography)
http://www.nga.gov/podcasts/index.shtm#video (Vermeer: Master of Light,
The Music Lesson, Part 1—video podcast)
http://www.nga.gov/podcasts/index.shtm#video (Vermeer: Master of Light, Girl with the Red Hat, Part 2—video podcast)
http://www.nga.gov/podcasts/index.shtm#audio (The Man Who Made Vermeers: Unvarnishing the Legend of Master Forger Han van Meegeren—audio podcast)
http://shop.nga.gov/nga/category.cgi?item=410000279342 (purchase The Man Who Made Vermeers: Unvarnishing the Legend of Master Forger Han van Meegeren)
http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/gg51/gg51-main1.html (Johannes Vermeer and Dutch Scenes of Daily Life in the 1600s online tour)
3. NEW ONLINE FEATURE: POMPEII AND THE ROMAN VILLA
Developed in conjunction with the acclaimed exhibition Pompeii and the Roman Villa: Art and Culture around the Bay of Naples, our new Web feature includes an overview of the exhibition—which presents ancient sculptures, paintings, mosaics, and luxury arts from the Bay of Naples, a favorite retreat for vacationing emperors. Visitors may also explore a virtual Roman house from the first century BC and learn more about the exquisite objects found within. Our Web site also offers a video clip and a five-part audio podcast series.
http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/pompeiiinfo.shtm (exhibition information)
http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/2008/pompeii/ (Web feature)
http://www.nga.gov/podcasts/index.shtm (podcasts)
http://www.nga.gov/education/classroom/pompeii/ (Resources for Teachers and Students)
4. ONLINE TOUR: AFRICAN-AMERICAN ART
African-American art in the National Gallery's collection has grown over the past several years, particularly through the acquisition of works by modern and contemporary artists. In honor of African-American History Month, the Gallery is showcasing an online tour of 20 pieces from the permanent collection.
http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/ggafamer/ggafamer-main1.html
5. New Exhibition, Video, and Podcast: In the Tower: Philip Guston
An exhibition, on view February 1 through September 13, 2009, of work by American artist Philip Guston (1913–1980) launches a series of shows in the East Building Tower Gallery that will focus on developments in art since 1970. A video screened in the exhibition explores Guston’s life and the inspiration for his work. The artist is also discussed by Barbara Tempchin and Harry Cooper, curator of modern and contemporary art, National Gallery of Art, in a Backstory podcast.
http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/gustoninfo.shtm (exhibition information)
http://www.nga.gov/podcasts/index.shtm#audio (audio podcast)
http://luxmedia.vo.llnwd.net/o10/clients/nationalgallery/guston/guston.m4v (video)
6. NEW VIDEO PODCAST SERIES: VERMEER: MASTER OF LIGHT
What makes a Vermeer a Vermeer? Take a journey of discovery with Vermeer: Master of Light, which guides the viewer through an examination of three of Johannes Vermeer's paintings and explores the "secrets" of his technique. Utilizing the potential of x-ray analysis and infrared reflectography as well as the power of computer technology, the program delves beneath the surface of the paintings to unveil fascinating insights into Vermeer's work. This film, serialized in video podcasts, is narrated by Meryl Streep, with commentary by Arthur K. Wheelock Jr., curator of northern baroque paintings, National Gallery of Art, and conservator David Bull.
http://www.nga.gov/podcasts/index.shtm#video (Vermeer: Master of Light,
The Music Lesson, Part 1)
http://www.nga.gov/podcasts/index.shtm#video (Vermeer: Master of Light, Girl with the Red Hat, Part 2)
7. NEW PODCASTS: "NOTABLE LECTURES"
Our audio podcast series of Notable Lectures features recorded Gallery talks by well-known curators, historians, and authors. Now available on our Web site are several new programs, including author and New Yorker staff writer Calvin Tomkins discussing his latest book, Lives of the Artists, with Harry Cooper, Gallery curator of modern and contemporary art; professor of medieval art history Conrad Rudolph demonstrating how medieval maps informed their users not only of where they were at that moment, but of where they had been in the past and would be in the future; professors Robert Kolker and James Naremore reviewing Stanley Kubrick's contributions to film on the director's 80th birthday.
http://www.nga.gov/podcasts/index.shtm#audio
8. REVISIT TWO JASPER JOHNS EXHIBITIONS ONLINE
Jasper Johns is widely celebrated both as one of the most influential American artists of the postwar era and as one of the greatest graphic artists of this century. Revisit his work in our Web features on past Gallery exhibitions: Jasper Johns: An Allegory of Painting, 1955–1965 and States and Variations: Prints by Jasper Johns. Explanatory texts about the first decade of Johns' work and his printmaking, respectively, are accompanied by artworks that users may view in detail through our zoom feature.
http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/2007/johns/index.shtm (Jasper Johns Web feature)
http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/2007/jasper/index.shtm (States and Variations Web feature)
http://shop.nga.gov/nga/category.cgi?item=410000193549 (Jasper Johns exhibition catalogue)
9. NGA ONLINE SHOP: ACCESSORIES
In addition to exhibition catalogues, reproductions, and DVDs, a number of art-inspired gifts and accessories are available from the Gallery online shop. Visitors may purchase tote bags inscribed with quotations from Matisse, Gauguin, or Klee, as well as exquisite silk scarves with Pompeian mosaic designs.
http://shop.nga.gov/nga/category.cgi?category=gifts_accessories
10. SCHOOL DOCENT APPLICATIONS ONLINE
School docents conduct thematic tours for thousands of schoolchildren from all over the country, providing rich and memorable experiences with works of art in the Gallery's collection. The education division continues to recruit potential volunteers, and applications are available exclusively on our Web site, which includes further information about the program and informational meetings, FAQs, and the application form.
http://www.nga.gov/education/docent_letter.htm (school docent program)
http://www.nga.gov/education/docent_app.shtm (Web application form)
11. FEBRUARY CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Plan your visit to the Gallery with the help of the February Calendar of Events. Schedules of films, lectures, gallery talks, family activities, and concerts are listed along with information about each event. Please check back regularly for the most up-to-date information, as events are often added.
http://www.nga.gov/programs/calendar
TODAY IN GALLERY HISTORY
Learn more about the Gallery's history daily on our Web site, which highlights notable events over the last 80 years.
February 1
On February 1, 1945, the National Gallery of Art transferred to the ambassador of the Provisional French Republic custody of 154 French paintings and 101 drawings that had been on display in the museum during World War II. The paintings and drawings had been on tour in North America when war broke out and had been deposited at the National Gallery of Art for safekeeping.
http://www.nga.gov/ginfo/index.shtm#today
PLAN A VISIT / GENERAL INFORMATION
http://www.nga.gov/ginfo/index.htm
This page provides links to the Gallery's hours and location, Calendar of Events, restaurant hours, accessibility information, Gallery history, and news releases.
The National Gallery of Art, located on the National Mall between 3rd and 9th Streets and along Constitution Avenue NW, is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Gallery is closed on December 25 and January 1.
Admission is free. For general information, call (202) 737-4215 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (202) 842-6176.
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SUPPORT THE GALLERY
Learn how you can become involved in supporting the vital activities of the National Gallery of Art.
http://www.nga.gov/support/index.htm
ONLINE SHOP
Browse a selection of Gallery books, DVDs, CDs, gifts, accessories, holiday cards and ornaments, kids' artist supplies and games, reproductions, stationery, and more from our online shop.
http://shop.nga.gov/
CONTACT US
If you would like to contact us, please submit our Web feedback form at http://www.nga.gov/feedback/webfeedback.htm
VOLUNTEER AT THE GALLERY
Volunteers make significant contributions to the many programs and public services offered by the National Gallery of Art. Potential volunteers should contact the departments in which they would like to offer assistance.
http://www.nga.gov/education/volunteer.htm
COMMENTS ON YOUR VISIT
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http://www.nga.gov/feedback/comments.htm
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