Exhibitions

Past and Present: A Century and a Half of a National Collection

June 11, 1978 – September 4, 1978

Smithsonian American Art Museum
8th and G Streets, NW
Washington, DC

3rd Floor

See on Map Floor Plan

Examine the history of the NCFA and its expanding collection in this major exhibition of more than 200 works. (NCFA is the oldest national art collection in the U.S.; it predates the founding of the Smithsonian.)

Included are:

  • Hellenistic marble sculpture Ceres, possibly found at Pompeii
  • Frederic Bartholdi's model for the Statue of Liberty
  • paintings by Blakelock and Mowbray from the William T. Evans collection
  • works by di Francisco Francia and Gainsborough from the Ralph Cross Johnson collection
  • oils by Luini and Mayer from the Harriet Lane Johnson collection
  • paintings by La Farge, Albert Ryder, and Thayer from the John Gellatly collection
  • works by Tobey and Francis from S.C. Johnson and Son collection
  • Artists Hiram Powers, Romaine Brooks and William H. Johnson are highlighted

Book and booklet