Smithsonian American Art Museum

The Smithsonian American Art Museum occupies the historic Old Patent Office Building, a Greek Revival architectural landmark in Washington, D.C., that stands as a testament to the nation’s mid-nineteenth-century civic aspirations. Originally conceived to house the federal patent records, the structure was repurposed to serve as a sanctuary for the American aesthetic, eventually becoming a cornerstone of the Smithsonian Institution. Through its preservation of this monumental site and its satellite location, the Renwick Gallery, the museum maintains a dual commitment to both the fine arts and the evolution of American craft traditions. ## A Legacy of American Vision The institution serves as a comprehensive archive of the American experience, housing works that span from the colonial era to the contemporary period. Its holdings are defined by a profound engagement with American Realism and Impressionism, tracing the development of the national identity through canvas and stone. Scholars and visitors alike find depth in the works of masters such as George Catlin, whose documentation of Indigenous life in Ball-play of the Choctaw--Ball Up provides essential cultural context, and Winslow Homer, whose maritime studies like Boys in a Dory and Carrying the Wounded capture the rugged spirit of the nineteenth century. Furthermore, the inclusion of luminaries such as John Singer Sargent and Joseph Frank Currier, alongside evocative pieces like Haymakers and Boy and Girl on a Hillside, highlights the museum's dedication to preserving the diverse artistic movements that have shaped the visual narrative of the United States.