National Portrait Gallery

Housed in a National Historic Landmark building which it shares with the American Art Museum, the National Portrait Gallery displays the connection between American history, biography and art, covering more than 225 years of history. The collection is presented in a series of thematic galleries, including "America's Presidents," “America Origins, 1600-1900,” and “20th Century Americans”   "The Struggle For Justice".

"Champions" and "Bravo!" showcase sports figures, and composers and performers from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. And ”Jo Davidson: Biographer in Bronze” is a collection of 14 portraits in bronze and terra-cotta made by American sculptor Jo Davidson between 1908 and 1946.

The Gallery guide, Portrait of a Nation: Highlights From the National Portrait Gallery, tells the history of America through individuals who have shaped its culture. Through the visual arts, performing arts and new media, the Portrait Gallery portrays poets and presidents, visionaries and villains, actors and activists whose lives tell the American story.

If you're interested in portraiture, you are bound to enjoy The Portrait Timeline website.