- Masterpieces of American Furniture from the Kaufman Collection, 1700–1830
- Ongoing
- West Building Ground Floor
Overview: One of the largest and most refined collections of early American furniture in private hands—acquired over the course of five decades by George M. and Linda H. Kaufman—was promised to the National Gallery of Art in October 2010. A new installation on the Ground Floor of the West Building will highlight nearly 100 examples of early American furniture and decorative arts from this distinguished collection, including French floral watercolors by Pierre Joseph Redouté and American, Chinese, and French porcelains. In addition, the installation will include paintings by celebrated American artists in the Gallery's collection such as Gilbert Stuart. The Kaufman gift dramatically complements the National Gallery's fine holdings of European decorative arts with equally important American works of art.
Organization: Organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Passes: Admission is always free and passes are not required.
Image: Grecian Couch, attributed to John Finlay (1777–1851) and Hugh Finlay (1781–1831), Baltimore, 1810–1830, walnut and cherry; paint; gold leaf, promised gift of George M. and Linda H. Kaufman
Related Resources
Download the exhibition brochure
(PDF 7MB)
Press
Audio and Video
- Four Centuries of American Chairs
- Audio, Released: February 26, 2019, (45:06 minutes)
- Engaging with American Furniture: Looking Back, Moving Forward Symposium: Research for the Future: Revisiting “…things you have long taken for granted”
- Audio, Released: April 2, 2013, (46:19 minutes)
- Engaging with American Furniture: Looking Back, Moving Forward Symposium: Dust, Grain, and Soften: The Fine Art of Decorative Painting
- Audio, Released: April 2, 2013, (40:35 minutes)
- Engaging with American Furniture: Looking Back, Moving Forward Symposium: From Appreciation to Interpretation: Academic Engagement with American Furniture
- Audio, Released: April 2, 2013, (48:42 minutes)
- Engaging with American Furniture: Looking Back, Moving Forward Symposium: Lafayette River to the Potomac: The Kaufman Collection at the National Gallery of Art
- Audio, Released: April 2, 2013, (27:25 minutes)
- Collecting for Quality: The Kaufman Collection of American Furniture, 1725-1825
- Audio, Released: December 11, 2012, (51:37 minutes)
- Triumphs in Craftsmanship: Masterpieces of American Furniture from the Kaufman Collection, 1700-1830
- Audio, Released: November 6, 2012, (52:28 minutes)
- Press Event: Masterpieces of American Furniture from the Kaufman Collection, 1700–1830
- Audio, Released: October 2, 2012, (35:46 minutes)