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January 12-March 24, 2002
SCENES OF AMERICAN LIFE:
Treasures from the Smithsonian American Art Museum
SCENES OF AMERICAN LIFE includes more than 60 important
paintings and sculptures celebrating daily life in America during the
first half of the 20th century. Some of the artists featured in this exhibition
are: Rockwell Kent, William Glackens, Agnes Tait, Paul Cadmus,
Reginald Marsh, Marvin Beerbohm, O. Louis Guglielmi, William Gropper,
Moses Soyer, William H. Johnson, Jacob Lawrence, Grant Wood, Alexandre
Hogue, Andrew Wyeth, Thomas Hart Benton, Edward Hopper, Harvey Dinnerstein,
and George Tooker.
As artists moved away from the elegance and formality of the Gilded Age, they began presenting everyday people at work and play. The energetic and often witty artworks symbolize what was the true strength of the nation.
During the early part of the 20th century, work and industry also inspired American artists, who were largely fascinated with heavy industry and factory production, especially during the Depression years of high unemployment. Early 20th century artists, particularly those of African-American heritage, also examined life for non-white and immigrant Americans. While many artists took inspiration from America's daily social, political and economic developments, others stepped back to appreciate the rural beauty of their country's landscape.
Drawn from the permanent collection of and organized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington D.C., this exhibition is one of eight nationally touring Treasures To Go exhibitions being offered to qualifying U.S. art museums while the National Museum of American Art is undergoing renovation through spring 2002.