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The Addison’s rich collections provide a great many points of entry for understanding the history and development of American art from the 18th century to the present. The almost limitless opportunities these afford for thematic and chronological presentations offering new interpretations are enhanced through additions to the holdings and thoughtful combinations of works. This fall, in four first-floor galleries, four curators have explored a theme, style, or artistic idiom represented in depth across the many media in the collection. This selection of works examines the representation of women, the investigation of abstraction at its introduction and, later, at mid-century, and the use of technology. 

In each room, the groupings include intriguing works of sculpture—an opportunity to reflect upon the precedents for and successors to the figural work of Paul Manship, whose important works—both hallowed and innovative subjects—may be found on the second floor. ​

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website.