National Gallery of Art

How to expertly hide from your boss during your lunch break:

Have you ever paid a heavy price for standing up for your beliefs? Muhammad Ali did. In the 1960s, he risked losing his title, a ban from boxing, and even his freedom after standing up for his faith. Then came Gordon Parks, who, with his camera, sought to redefine Ali’s career, capturing the essence of a man who stood firm in his convictions. Uncover the story ⬇  #ArtUncovered . . . 🔎 See more photographs and get the full story in our new exhibition, “Gordon Parks: Camera Portraits from the Corcoran Collection” https://bit.ly/4feMymA 📷 Photographs by Gordon Parks, Courtesy of and copyright The Gordon Parks Foundation #Parks #Ali #History

Taking someone to an art museum is a love language.

When I say, "I need a little self-care this weekend," this is what I mean:

“El arte es una mentira que nos acerca a la verdad.” “La familia de saltimbanquis” se considera la obra más importante de la carrera temprana de Pablo Picasso. El artista español vio un paralelismo entre la vida de los saltimbanquis (acróbatas, bailarines y bufones) que pinta aquí y los artistas por ser ambos grupos que forman una “familia” entre ellos y que muchas veces viven en los márgenes de la sociedad. Se identificaba tanto que se pintó a él mismo en el cuadro—mira la cara del joven alto a la izquierda. 🖼️ Pablo Picasso, “Family of Saltimbanques,” 1905, oil on canvas, 213 x 230 cm, Chester Dale Collection, © 2012 Estate of Pablo Picasso/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

On this day in 1863, at the height of the Civil War, over 600 Black soldiers decided to fight for their country, knowing that if captured, they could be sold into slavery. Their bravery and unwavering fight for justice is forever immortalized in our West Building. Uncover their story ⬇️ #ArtUncovered Then learn their names: https://bit.ly/4bPaZnN  . . . . 🖼 Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848–1907), "Shaw Memorial," 1900, patinated plaster, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, Cornish, New Hampshire, West Building, Main Floor, Gallery 66 🖼 Sergeant Henry F. Steward, 1863, ambrotype, Courtesy of the Massachusetts Historical Society

If you answer this correctly, you really know your art history: Who painted this circa 1604? 🤔 #ArtJeopardy Hint: This Flemish Baroque artist is famous for his expressive brushwork and vibrant use of color, creating masterpieces like "The Descent from the Cross" and "The Garden of Love." Drop a comment with your guess. ⬇️ Then find the answer 🔎: https://bit.ly/4cKEkky

In the 1800s, photography helped change the course of history. Read more ⬇ #ArtUncovered . . . . James F. Gibson, “A Group of ‘Contrabands,’” May 14, 1862, stereoscopic albumen prints, Ross J. Kelbaugh Collection, Purchased with support from from the Ford Foundation B. F. Smith & Son, “Frederick Douglass,” 1864, albumen print (carte-de-visite), Ross J. Kelbaugh Collection, Purchased with support from the Ford Foundation Edward H. Hart, “Reverend Josiah Henson,” 1876, albumen print (carte-de-visite), Ross J. Kelbaugh Collection, Purchased with support from the Ford Foundation American 19th Century, “Sojourner Truth,” 1864, albumen print (carte-de-visite), Ross J. Kelbaugh Collection, Purchased with support from the Ford Foundation Henry P. Moore, “James Hopkin's Plantation, Edisto Island, South Carolina,” 1862, albumen print, Ross J. Kelbaugh Collection, Purchased with support from the Ford Foundation #history

¿Qué vamos a pintar? Esa es la pregunta que se hizo Barnett Newman, quien consideraba que los artistas se enfrentaban a una crisis moral tras la Segunda Guerra Mundial y el Holocausto. Esta reflexión, sin embargo, dio lugar a la serie de pinturas más famosa que creó, “The Stations of the Cross” (“El camino de la cruz”). Aunque lleva el nombre de un proceso de conmemoración de los últimos momentos de la vida de Cristo, estas obras no se refieren en absoluto a la religión, sino que piden a la humanidad empatía colectiva.

Break out your parasols, DC! It’s going to be a rainy day ahead. ☂️ Due to the sudden change in the weather forecast and the threat of thunderstorms, tonight's Jazz in the Garden concert is now canceled to keep everyone safe. But don’t worry, we’re planning a rain date to make up for the bad weather. We’ll reach out to this week’s lottery winners by August 5th with the details. 💛 __ 🖼 Claude Monet, “Woman with a Parasol - Madame Monet and Her Son,” 1875, oil on canvas, 39 x 31 in., Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon