Presented by Matthew Fox-Amato, Assistant Professor of History, University of Idaho From the 1840s to the end of the Civil War, some enslaved people paid to have their photographs taken and then used these portraits to shape their identities and social ties. Slave narratives, newspapers and studio records reveal that some enslaved individuals bought images from local photographers, […]

Join us on Wednesday, May 5, 7 pm ET, to hear Juli Lowe—former long-time Director of Catherine Edelman Gallery, Chicago— speak about gallery representation and pricing artwork. Lowe will outline the structures and inner workings of commercial galleries, share the latest information about the art market, and demystify the process of pricing artwork. Learn more […]

March 10: Margaret Wise Brown April 14: Earth, Wind & Fire May 12: Roger Shimomura Join our virtual workshop for children ages 3-6 and their adult companions as we learn about art, history and more! Each month PortraitGallery educators will lead a 30-minute activity that incorporates close looking at portraiture, movement and artmaking. We will […]

Heighten your civic awareness through conversations about art, history and material culture. Each month, educators from the National Portrait Gallery will partner with colleagues from across the Smithsonian to discuss how historical objects from their respective collections speak to today’s social justice issues. How can the desire for cultural recognition spark activism? Together with our co-hosts from […]