Past Exhibitions

Learn about past exhibitions going back as far as 1941 when the National Gallery of Art first opened to the public.

Filter Results

1222 results found

Results

Juan Gris
Closed December 31, 1983
We look down onto a pile with a newspaper, theater program, pipe, a black and white checkerboard, and other objects painted as abstracted, geometric forms on a tabletop in this nearly square still life painting. Near the center, a rectangular form like a newspaper is painted with the headline “LE JOURNAL.” Next to it, to our left, a playbill has the name “FANTOMAS” written in black against a parakeet-green background, above black mask and a “65” in a circle below. There are blocks of stylized, painted wood grain and other areas of color that do not line up with the objects represented. For instance, this conflicting pattern means that the lettering of the newspaper changes from white against the brown woodgrain to green against white. Moreover, seemingly unconnected to the objects, colors, and spaces below, yet more objects like a goblet and bowl of fruit are painted with white outlines that overlay the wood and objects below. A checkerboard pattern is layered under the woodgrain and papers, near the lower right corner, and another pattern like architectural molding carved with stylized leaves runs along the back, above the papers. The papers and a few other objects seem to cast shadows on the blocks of color behind them, so areas of lilac purple at the top left and burgundy red along the right edge read visually as a background behind everything. The artist signed the work in black on the lower left corner: “Juan Gris 8-1915.”
Gainsborough Drawings
Closed December 4, 1983
The image shows a pastoral scene with a low horizon, distant hills, sparse trees, and a wooden cart being drawn by two oxen with a man on top. There are clouds above the horizon and the brushstrokes create texture, capturing details like the cart's wood grain and foliage tufts. The color scheme is monochromatic, suggesting the image is a drawing or print, evoking a serene atmosphere. The ground is textured with rocks along a pathway leading towards the cart and the countryside.
Art of Aztec Mexico
Closed April 1, 1984
Arp: The Dada Reliefs
Closed October 30, 1983
Five Surrealists from the Menil Collection
Closed September 28, 1983
Night Prints
Closed October 9, 1983
Lucas van Leyden and His Contemporaries
Closed August 14, 1983
This is a drawing of four armored and elaborately decorated horsemen. The drawing depicts four knights dressed in detailed armor, riding horses that are also adorned with ornate coverings and feathered plumes. The knights seem to be part of a procession or tournament, with the horses poised elegantly, and the wind appearing to rustle their cloaks and banners. Above each knight are scroll banners with inscriptions.
The John Hay Whitney Collection
Closed November 27, 1983
Trees and mountains nearly fill this composition and are painted with long, mostly parallel brushstrokes in this horizontal landscape. The trees are painted with long dashes of royal and aquamarine blue, pine and mint green to suggest leaves on coral-red trunks. The grass below is lemon-lime yellow, and a walking path is picked out with lavender-purple strokes. The mountains beyond the trees are painted with flat areas of coral, apricot orange, and cobalt blue. The sky above is pale turquoise with a few swirling, cream-colored clouds.
Paintings in Naples from Caravaggio to Giordano
Closed May 1, 1983
A nearly nude, pale-skinned woman rides an oversized seashell being pulled by stylized dolphins in this horizontal painting. Four muscular, tanned men with dark, unruly curly hair surround the shell and play music. The woman sits on a seat made by twisting red coral with her body angled to our right. She turns her face up and to our left, to the sky. She has dark eyes and brows, a heart-shaped face, a cleft in her chin, and her pink lips are parted. Her auburn-brown hair appears gathered at the base of her neck and long tresses lift in the breeze over her right shoulder, to our left. A teardrop-shaped pearl hangs from the ear we can see. A celestial-blue cloth and a translucent white veil wraps over one shoulder and flutters behind her. The cloth then drapes across her back and over her thighs, exposing her soft tummy and rounded hips. The fish-like dolphins pulling the shell have rounded heads and black, glassy eyes. Short fins run the length of their curved backs over dark, olive-green skin. The woman guides them using red, twisted cords looped through their mouths. A pair of musicians are to each side of the shell. To our left and in the lower corner, one man holds a flute to his lips. The outer corners of his eyebrows arch up under a lined forehead. A ring of broad leaves wraps around his waist. Another man behind him blows with cheeks puffed into a shell as he looks at us. In the pair to our right, on the far side of the shell, one man holds a stick, perhaps guiding the vessel, while another, at the front of the grouping, blows into a shell. The man at front wears rings of leaves around his head and waist. The scene is lit starkly from our left, illuminating the woman and casting the rest into shadow. The water around the group is dark, pine green. Rocky mountains dotted with trees and buildings rise in the distance. Ash-gray clouds create diagonal bands moving up and to our right against a muted blue sky.
Photographs by Alfred Stieglitz
Closed May 8, 1983
Drawings from the Holy Roman Empire 1540-1680
Closed April 10, 1983
This is a drawing of a scene with several figures in dramatic postures. The drawing features a group of figures that appear to be engaged in an intense interaction. One figure is shown leaning forward with a hand raised to their face. Others are depicted standing nearby, dressed in flowing garments and positioned in dynamic poses. The lines are fluid and expressive, giving a sense of movement to the scene. The overall tone is sepia, created with ink and wash.
Important Information Inside
Closed June 19, 1983
This painting depicts a dark brown teapot and a fish on a white cloth. The fish is mostly greenish gray, with some white and pale red scales. It appears to be propped up on something, perhaps a plate or another fish, and its head is facing the right. The teapot is on the left, with its spout turned towards us. The background is textured beige, and the white cloth below the objects has some small folds in it.

Loading Results