1. NEW WEB FEATURE: CAUGHT IN THE ACT
In 2008 Paul Katz, an artist and photographer for the Guggenheim Museum, donated to the National Gallery of Art Library more than 1,500 images depicting Jasper Johns, Alfred Jensen, and other friends in the Manhattan art world of the 1960s through 1980s. Capturing both introspective moments and expressive gestures, Katz took not only posed shots and portraits but also multiple frames of the artists at work. Our online slideshow offers a selection of images exhibited in Caught in the Act: The Artist at Work, Selections from the Paul Katz Archive and Related Collections, on view through May 17.
www.nga.gov/exhibitions/2009/caught/slideshow/index.htm (Web feature)
www.nga.gov/exhibitions/caughtinfo.shtm (exhibition information)
2. THIS MONTH'S FEATURED WORK OF ART FROM THE COLLECTION: MONSIGNOR FRANCESCO BARBERINI BY GIAN LORENZO BERNINI
Around 1623 Gian Lorenzo Bernini's friend Pope Urban VIII commissioned the sculptor to make busts of his family, including one of his beloved uncle Monsignor Francesco Barberini. Bernini created a noble and dignified paternal presence in the ancient Roman tradition of ancestral portraiture. He chose a sculptural form that includes most of the chest, and he curved the truncation to echo the arch of the spreading shoulders, producing an effect of both harmony and imposing physical bulk. On view in the West Building, Ground Floor, Gallery 10.
www.nga.gov/cgi-bin/pinfo?Object=45918+0+none
3. JAZZ IN THE GARDEN RETURNS
For the ninth consecutive year, the free summer concert series Jazz in the Garden returns to the Gallery's Sculpture Garden. Top local and regional artists will perform a diverse mix of jazz, from swing to progressive to Latin, each Friday from May 22 through September 11, rain or shine. Musicians perform in front of the Pavilion Café, while visitors relax around the grand central fountain or arrange picnic blankets on the beautifully landscaped grounds.
www.nga.gov/programs/jazz (Jazz in the Garden)
www.nga.gov/exhibitions/sculptureinfo.htm (Sculpture Garden)
4. ELSON LECTURE PODCAST: ROBERT FRANK
Looking In: Robert Frank's "The Americans," an exhibition organized by the National Gallery of Art, is the most comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the single most important book of photographs published since World War II. In this audio podcast of the annual Elson Lecture, recorded on March 26, 2009, curator Sarah Greenough speaks with renowned photographer Robert Frank about his career before, during, and after "The Americans." Robert Frank: The Americans—50th Anniversary Edition and the exhibition catalogue are available for purchase from the Gallery Shops.
www.nga.gov/podcasts/index.shtm#audio (podcast)
www.nga.gov/exhibitions/frankinfo.htm (exhibition information)
5. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: GAUGUIN ON PRIMITIVISM
"Food for Thought" is a seminar-style luncheon discussion of art history readings followed by a gallery tour of relevant art. This month's sessions (May 4 and 18) focus on Paul Gauguin's writings on the topic of primitivism that are covered in Herschel B. Chipp's Theories of Modern Art: A Source Book by Artists and Critics. Further information and registration are accessible online.
www.nga.gov/programs/galtalks/#food
6. ON THE WEB: SMALL FRENCH PAINTINGS
Small French Paintings is a permanent installation of French impressionist and post-impressionist works from the Gallery's collection on view on the ground level of the East Building. Our Web feature takes a closer look at these paintings of modest scale and high quality. Visitors may navigate by theme—realism, Barbizon school, early impressionism, late impressionism, alternatives to impressionism, and post-impressionism—and view examples of each in close-up detail.
www.nga.gov/collection/sfp/flash/index.htm
7. GALLERY ARCHIVES
The Gallery Archives preserves and makes available historical records of the National Gallery of Art. It is the primary source of information concerning past activities and events, and the design and construction of the East and West Buildings. Explore online historical materials such as the Gallery's World War II Research Resources, records of exhibitions, Gallery history, and information about the Gallery's founding benefactors.
www.nga.gov/resources/gadesc.htm
8. NGA ONLINE SHOP: NOTE-CARD SETS
A wide selection of traditional and contemporary note-card sets is available from the Gallery Shops. The cards range from images of Renaissance women (including Ginevra de' Benci by Leonardo da Vinci) to details of Wayne Thiebaud's delectable and iconic painting Cakes.
shop.nga.gov/nga/category.cgi?category=stationery-note_card_sets
9. MAY CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Plan your visit to the Gallery with the help of the May Calendar of Events. Schedules of films, lectures, gallery talks, family activities, and concerts provide details about each event. Please check back often for the most up-to-date information, as new events are regularly added.
www.nga.gov/programs/calendar
TODAY IN GALLERY HISTORY
In addition to our timeline of Gallery history, "Today in Gallery History," a changing daily posting, features a notable Gallery event from the last 80 years.
May 1
On May 1, 1963, Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg and her son, Prince Jean, visited the National Gallery of Art. Fragonard's A Young Girl Reading, given to the museum two years before by Ailsa Mellon Bruce in memory of her father, Andrew Mellon, was among the paintings they admired most during their visit.
www.nga.gov/ginfo/index.htm#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
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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
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