Exploring the Diversity at the National Portrait Gallery (Washington, DC)

I didn’t quite know what to expect when I got here. I knew I wanted to go, but I didn’t know what I would see. Okay, portraits- obviously… but who?

At first, it was probably what most people coming to the National Portrait Gallery in the US expect, American presidents, people ingrained in the American history books, but there was also so much culture, livelihood, diversity that I also saw. While of course the majority of the artwork where, in fact paintings, I also saw model cars, I saw statues, pottery and more. Mostly portraits, but not all portraits!

Parking:

Before we get into all that, though- let’s talk about parking… if you’re in the area, you know that metros are typically the way to go. Cheaper, more convenient, etc. On the weekends, they’re $5 for a round trip, $2.50 each way, for most cases. You can find out more about the DMV public transportation system here. But if you REALLY must drive, a couple things to note. There is meter parking in the area (if you can find any). Parking is limited at 2-3 hours, and no you cannot just park somewhere else after, you have to find a parking spot that is not in the same zone, which means you would likely have to move your car in a location that is no longer walkable to the museum. Otherwise, there are many local garage nearby, but I would expect to pay $20 or more for these. Of course Spot Hero is another option as well. So for most people, paying $5 to metro and staying as long as you wish is generally more convenient.

Food is a yay or nay?

There is a cafe at the museum. It’s fine. It’s nothing elegant, fresh or special and of course it’s overpriced. I had gotten a sandwich here because I wanted something for the road. (I hadn’t eaten all day). I knew it was going to be overpriced and there wasn’t a price tag, so why not. I can pay a little extra for the sake of convenience. When the casher rang it up at $17.50 for this ‘ol thang?! Geeze.

The Museum:

Sometimes, I go through different sections in the museum- the rooms, the exhibits. But this time, I wanted to share my favorite paintings and the rest is for you to explore on your own! The museum is relatively small to other local museums, and has an odd make up, with the first floor being mostly full, the second being about half a floor, the third is mostly full and then a very small section on the fourth floor.

Mostly, the exhibits are categorized by who’s in them, they have US leaders, inventors, a sport or entertainment section, “The Struggle for Justice” and other miscellaneous galleries.

The Changemakers (Struggle for Justice):

1942 portrait of George Washington Carver, by Betsy Graves Reyneau. Carver was a pioneering American scientist, botanist, educator, and inventor who significantly transformed Southern agriculture. Born into slavery, he became one of the most prominent African American scientists of the 20th century.

1955 portrait of Marian Anderson by Betsy Graves Reyneau. Anderson was an acclaimed American contralto singer and an important figure in the struggle for African-American artists to overcome racial segregation. Her 1939 concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, after being refused the use of Constitution Hall by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) due to her race, was a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement. Anderson received numerous honors throughout her life, including a Kennedy Center Honors award in 1978. In 2005, she was honored with a U.S. postage stamp.

1944 portrait of William Ayers Campbell by artist Betsy Graves Reyneau. William Ayers Campbell was a decorated fighter pilot for the Tuskegee Airmen who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

My Favorite Women:

A portrait of Marilyn Horne, painted by John Foote in 1971. Horne was one of the most remarkable voices of the twentieth century. After retiring from the stage, she dedicated her life to educating young aspiring singers and founded the Marilyn Horne Foundation.

This is a portrait of Leontyne Price, painted by Bradley Phillips in 1963. Price is a 99 year old opera singer (yes she’s still alive!) who was the first African-American soprano to receive international acclaim and the first black singer to maintain a sustained relationship with the Metropolitan Opera.

A portrait of Delia Spencer Caton Field, painted by George Peter Alexander Healy between 1876-1879. Field was a prominent philanthropist, art collector and a key advocate for the Pure Food Movement, which directly inspired the U.S. Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906.

A portrait of Denyce Graves painted by Nelson Shanks in 1999, with Marc Mostovoy in the background. Graves is a mezzo-soprano and internationally acclaimed opera singer. After the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Graves sang “America the Beautiful” and “The Lord’s Prayer” at the National Prayer Service held in Washington National Cathedral. She also honored late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg by singing at the U.S. Capitol as Ginsburg’s casket was lying in state.

Dual Portraits:

This is a painting of Vlada and Ilona Shelter in a Metro Station in Kharkiv, Ukraine painted by Philip Cheung, a “Russian Invasion of Ukraine” series. It is currently being held in the portrait competition at the Smithsonian, honoring “personal and collective stories [told] through portraiture.”

This is a double portrait of David Antonio Cryz and his lifelong friend, Archel (unknown last name) painted in 2023 by Cryz, himself. The artwork is part of a series where figures wear helmets, which Cruz describes as a symbol of protection, resilience, and a nod to the future. This piece is also being entered into the portrait contest.

This is a portrait of Erin and Anyah, painted by LaToya M., painted in 2023. It’s being featured in the competition and highlights themes of Black womanhood, rest, and identity, featuring impeccably thin lines and delicate crosshatching characteristic of the artist’s labor-intensive carving process.

I usually go for realism, but I absolutely loved the style of this one.

Miscellaneous:

On the top levels, there were rows of other painting and pieces that I enjoyed looking at. It was odd in the way they were displayed, but I suppose it was a way to display many in a small space; you can’t see it here, but they were hanging on rows and rows of parallel walls.

And someone even had a photo shoot down below! How neat is that?

Do I recommend the National Portrait Gallery in DC?

I do, I think that it was a nice place to rest, relax and explore before another big long week ahead. I thought it was relatively small, so make sure to find things to do afterwards, but if you think it’s just a place with old white men- you are wrong! It honors multiple cultures, people and often people who have made big changes in the world through resilience, hardship and determination.

Address: 8th and G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20001

Hours: 11:30am-7pm daily

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