This painting of Frederick Douglass was likely based on the engraved frontispiece of his first autobiography, “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” (1845).

Visit this portrait before 'One Life: Frederick Douglass' closes this Sunday:
s.si.edu/3XbqwbW

This #NationalPoetryMonth we recognize Phillis Wheatley, considered the first African American author to publish a book of poetry.

Learn more: s.si.edu/43HF46i

Born into slavery in Holly Springs, Mississippi, Ida B. Wells became one of the nation’s leading civil rights activists. This portrait of her was taken in Chicago around 1893.

Visit it in “One Life: Frederick Douglass,” which closes on April 21: bit.ly/3pgzloa

Today we remember Richard Serra, who was well known for his large-scale sculptures.

⁣His artworks were inspired by a youth spent working in steel mills. As an artist, he preferred working with industrial materials like steel, lead, and rubber. ⁣
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📸: s.si.edu/3TRFMuA

Happy birthday, Mr. Rogers 🎈On capturing this playful moment between Mr. Rogers & his grandchild, photographer Nathan Benn recounted the spontaneous photo as 'the result of just hanging out with [Rogers] one day.'

Learn more: s.si.edu/3H2YAQk
📸: s.si.edu/3Tui0U3

Remember to stop and smell the roses!

This portrait of Helen Keller was taken by photographer Rollie McKenna in the summer of 1956. Today, though, we're using it to welcome in the #FirstDayOfSpring 🌸⁣
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📸: s.si.edu/3TpAS6H
#SmithsonianWHM #WHM

Ruth Prawer Jhabvlava wrote screenplays and novels as a way to examine individual identity in a fluid, polyglot world. Her adaptation of 'A Room with a View' won Prawer Jhabvlava her first of two Academy Awards. 📚

📸: s.si.edu/3V6ZPpQ
#SmithsonianWHM #WHM

✨ Now Open: “Star Power: Photographs from Hollywood’s Golden Age by George Hurrell”⁣⁣
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This exhibition features over twenty vintage photographs by Hollywood's preeminent portrait photographer, George Hurrell: s.si.edu/4bZPNg2
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📸: s.si.edu/42YBDb4

We're jumping into #LeapDay with this portrait of Carl Lewis! This mid-air moment was captured by photographer Neil Leifer for TIME in 1984. That year, Lewis won four gold medals in track and field during the Summer Olympics. ⁣🥇

📸: s.si.edu/3wDciYb
#SmithsonianBHM

Actress Elizabeth Taylor was born #OnThisDay in 1932. ✨ ⁣Regarded as one of the supreme stars in Hollywood’s golden age, she won two Oscars for Best Actress, among other accolades. ⁣⁣
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📸: “Elizabeth Taylor” by Philippe Halsman, 1948.
© Philippe Halsman Archive

Painter Norman Rockwell was known for his iconic illustrations of American life. ⁣He once commented, 'Without thinking too much about it . . . I was showing the America I knew and observed to others who might not have noticed.'⁣
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📸️: s.si.edu/3T0Vbbm

In 1871, in an effort to raise funds for Fisk University, a newly founded African American school, the Fisk Jubilee Singers was formed. The student group was an instant success, raising enough to build Fisk's 1st permanent building, Jubilee Hall. #BHM

📸: s.si.edu/3ULdRNE

Ruby Dee was the first actress to play Ruth Younger in 'A Raisin in the Sun.' Over her career, she used her platform to advocate for civil rights.

Carl Van Vechten took this photograph of her in 1962.

📸: s.si.edu/3T0HGbN
© Carl Van Vechten Trust
⁣ #SmithsonianBHM #BHM

An influential artist and art historian, James A. Porter founded the field of African American art history. He chaired Howard University’s Art Department and directed their art gallery from 1953 until his death in 1970. ⁣ #BHM #SmithsonianBHM
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🖼️: s.si.edu/3OL4Z75

This painting of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart may look familiar... 🤔

Why? This portrait served as the basis for the engraving of Washington that appears on the one-dollar bill. 💵 Happy #PresidentsDay !

🖼️: s.si.edu/3SZ0Vm8

Author Toni Morrison was born #OTD in 1931. Drawing upon her life and historical accounts, she crafted stories and essays on marginality, exclusion, and belonging like 'Beloved' and 'The Bluest Eye.'

#SmithsonianBHM #BHM
📸: s.si.edu/42VIAdb
🏛️: On view on the 3rd floor

Just a few more days to see “1898: U.S. Imperial Visions and Revisions,” closing Feb. 25.

Explore over 90 paintings, photographs, and objects from Guam, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Spain, & the U.S.

Learn more: 1898exhibition.si.edu
📸: AB Corson #1898inFrame

Talk about the power of love! 💘 In 1963 Richard and Mildred Loving challenged a Virginia law that made their interracial marriage a crime. In 1967, the Supreme Court ruled state laws prohibiting interracial marriage unconstitutional. #ValentinesDay

📸: s.si.edu/3uMD1P5

Alice Walker was born #OnThisDay in 1944. Upon publishing her best-selling novel “The Color Purple,” Walker won the National Book Award and a Pulitzer Prize. #BHM #SmithsonianBHM

Read more over on our Instagram: s.si.edu/48dXvjR
📸️: s.si.edu/3wck2jB

AIvin Ailey founded his dance company in 1958. It showcased a vibrant choreography of ballet, modern dance, jazz, and African dance techniques. #BHM #SmithsonianBHM

Read more on our Instagram: s.si.edu/49qHAQ3
📸: s.si.edu/3SNyjw3
© Carl Van Vechten Trust