What is the Smithsonian American Art Museum?
The Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) is a renowned art museum located in Washington D.C., United States. As the name suggests, the museum is dedicated to showcasing American art, spanning from the colonial period to the present day. The SAAM is one of the most significant art museums in the country, with a vast collection of over 45,000 artworks, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, and folk art.
A Brief History of the Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution was established by the United States Congress in 1846, with a mission to "increase and diffuse knowledge among men." The institution was named after its benefactor, James Smithson, a British scientist who donated his entire estate to the United States government to establish an institution dedicated to "the increase and diffusion of knowledge." The Smithsonian Institution is now the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 19 museums, galleries, and research centers.
Early Days of the National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art was established in 1937, with the aim of collecting, preserving, and exhibiting fine art from around the world. Initially, the National Gallery of Art had no collection of American art, and it was only with the passage of the 1939 Act of Congress that the Gallery began collecting American art. The National Gallery of Art’s first director, David E. Finley, envisioned a separate museum dedicated to American art, but the idea was put on hold due to World War II.
Emergence of the American Art Collection
During the 1940s and 1950s, the National Gallery of Art slowly began to develop its collection of American art. In 1951, the museum acquired the H. W. Ranger Collection of colonial and Federal portraits, which included works by John Singleton Copley, Charles Willson Peale, and Gilbert Stuart. The museum also began to acquire contemporary American art, including works by Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning.
The Birth of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
In 1964, the Smithsonian American Art Museum was established as a separate museum within the Smithsonian Institution. The museum’s first director was Joshua C. Taylor, who had previously been the director of the National Collection of Fine Arts. The SAAM’s initial collection consisted of 1,400 artworks, with a focus on American art from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Establishment of the Renwick Gallery
In 1972, the Renwick Gallery was established as a branch of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, with a focus on contemporary craft and decorative arts. The Renwick Gallery is located in a historic building near the White House and has a collection of over 3,000 objects, including furniture, jewelry, glass, ceramics, and textiles.
First Building: The Patent Office Building
The Smithsonian American Art Museum’s first building was the historic Patent Office Building, which was constructed in the 1830s and had served as the temporary home of Lincoln’s War Department during the Civil War. The building was restored and renovated in the 1960s, with the help of architect John Russell Pope, to serve as the new home of the SAAM.
Move to the Old U.S. Army Quartermaster’s Building
In 1972, the Smithsonian American Art Museum moved to its current location in the Old U.S. Army Quartermaster’s Building, which was built in the 19th century and had served as a storage facility for the U.S. Army. The building was renovated and expanded to accommodate the museum’s growing collection, with the addition of a new wing and an underground exhibition space.
Renovation and Expansion in the 20th Century
In the 1990s, the Smithsonian American Art Museum underwent a major renovation and expansion project, which included the addition of a new wing and an atrium. The renovation project was designed by the architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and was completed in 2006.
Recent Developments and Future Plans
In recent years, the Smithsonian American Art Museum has continued to expand its collection and programming, with a focus on engaging new audiences and exploring the diversity of American art. The museum has launched several initiatives, such as the American Women’s History Initiative and the Latino Art and American Art Initiative, to showcase underrepresented artists and narratives. The museum is also planning a major renovation of its Renwick Gallery branch in the coming years.
Conclusion: Smithsonian American Art Museum Today
Today, the Smithsonian American Art Museum is a vibrant cultural institution, with a collection that reflects the diversity and richness of American art. The museum is a leader in the field of American art, with a commitment to research, scholarship, and public engagement. Through its exhibitions, programs, and collections, the SAAM inspires visitors to explore the breadth and depth of American art and to appreciate its enduring significance.
References and Further Reading
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Smithsonian American Art Museum. "About the Museum." https://americanart.si.edu/about
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Smithsonian Institution. "History of the Smithsonian." https://www.si.edu/about/history
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National Gallery of Art. "History of the National Gallery of Art."
