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Smithsonian Snapshot

A peek into our collections, one object at a time

Archives of American Art

Cantinflas: The Charlie Chaplin of Mexico
Mario Moreno, professionally known as Cantinflas, was an iconic Mexican film actor, producer and writer.
National Museum of African Art

Milky Way Myth
Among the hunter-gatherers of sub-Saharan Africa known as the Khoisan, a myth has been passed on for generations.
Smithsonian Snapshot

Artist Soldiers in World War I
Artists depict the realities of war.
1967 and the Summer of Love
Psychedelic posters capture the essence of an era.
National Portrait Gallery

Celia Cruz
¡Azúcar! Remembering the Queen of Salsa.
Georgia O’Keeffe at Home
In 1966, Life magazine sent photographer John Loengard to document a day in the life of artist Georgia O’Keeffe.
Down These Mean Streets
Urban landscapes and the possibilities of revitalization.
Smithsonian Snapshot

It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s a…Squirrel!
A very, very rare squirrel.
Smithsonian Snapshot

Scraps: From Treasure to Trash to Treasure
Learn about creative, alternative approaches to confronting textile waste.
Smithsonian Snapshot

I Wanna Rock!
The hand gesture known as devil horns, or rock horns, gained popularity at 1970s heavy-metal concerts as a staple of audience appreciation.
The Centennial of President John F. Kennedy’s Birth
A portrait of the 35th U.S. President.
Smithsonian Snapshot

Carrot Man
A dapper carrot illustrates a seed card, which were wildly popular in the Victorian era.
Smithsonian Snapshot

Kitagawa Utamaro
Three paintings by the legendary but mysterious Japanese artist Kitagawa Utamaro are reunited.
Smithsonian Snapshot

Cinco de Mayo
What are the origins of Mexico's Cinco de Mayo holiday?
Smithsonian Snapshot

Saving the Panamanian Golden Frog
A deadly amphibian fungus is threatening the world's frogs, and Smithsonian scientists are working to save them.
Smithsonian Snapshot

Orchids and Fungus: A Conservation Connection
Conserving orchids by studying their symbiotic relationship with fungi.
Smithsonian Snapshot

Black-footed Ferret
Once thought to be extinct, black-footed ferret populations are recovering with help from Smithsonian scientists.
Smithsonian Snapshot

Preserving Coral Reefs
Mary Hagedorn’s team has created a biobank to help the fight against corals' extinction.
Smithsonian Snapshot

Cherry blossoms
More than a century ago, cherry trees made beautiful backdrops for photos—just as they do today.
Smithsonian Snapshot

La Malinche
This copper mask was used in traditional Mesoamerican dances.
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Janet Harmon Bragg: Aviator
Janet Harmon Bragg is one of the first female black aviators and the first to hold a commercial pilot’s license.
Smithsonian Snapshot

Sending the Very Best for Valentine’s Day
This elaborate card made in Germany dates from 1900.
Smithsonian Snapshot

Meet the Cuban Oprah: Cristina Saralegui
To millions of people, she’s known on a first-name basis: Cristina.
Smithsonian Snapshot

Endless Summer
An iconic poster for a seminal surf movie.

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