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"Multiverse," Leo Villareal Installation Hi-Res | Lo-Res | iTunes | RSS (watch the rest of the series) |
This audio series offers entertaining, informative discussions about the arts and events at the National Gallery of Art. The series consists of three programs: | provides engaging conversations between top cultural figures; permits listeners to step behind the scenes of a world-class museum with host Barbara Tempchin and guests; and gives access to special Gallery talks by well-known curators, historians, and authors.|
April 2009 | |
T. J. Clark, George C. and Helen N. Pardee Chair and professor of history of art, University of California, Berkeley Picasso and Truth, Part 1: Object Picasso and Truth, Part 2: Room Picasso and Truth, Part 3: Window Listen | iTunes | RSS (66:12 mins.) |
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Elson Lecture 2009: Robert Frank Listen | iTunes | RSS (61:06 mins.) |
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March 2009 | |
Pride of Place, Part 3: Daily Life Listen | iTunes | RSS (8:38 mins.) |
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Pride of Place, Part 2: The Cities Listen | iTunes | RSS (8:48 mins.) |
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Pride of Place, Part 1: The Cityscape Listen | iTunes | RSS (8:47 mins.) |
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The Art of Collecting Listen | iTunes | RSS (67:00 mins.) |
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February 2009 | |
Collecting as a Way of Life Listen | iTunes | RSS (71:31 mins.) |
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Augustus Saint-Gaudens and the Shaw Memorial Listen | iTunes | RSS (15:41 mins.) |
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An American Journey Listen | iTunes | RSS (14:22 mins.) |
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Transforming Destiny into Awareness: Robert Frank's "The Americans" Listen | iTunes | RSS (48:33 mins.) |
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January 2009 | |
In the Tower: Philip Guston Listen | iTunes | RSS (8:03 mins.) |
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The Man Who Made Vermeers: Unvarnishing the Legend of Master Forger Han van Meegeren Listen | iTunes | RSS (57:28 mins.) |
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First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and the 1963 Exhibition of the "Mona Lisa" Listen | iTunes | RSS (54:46 mins.) |
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December 2008 | |
Stanley Kubrick: Two Views Listen | iTunes | RSS (77:22 mins.) |
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Time, Space, and the Progress of History in the Medieval Map Listen | iTunes | RSS (69:34 mins.) |
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Conversations with Authors: Calvin Tomkins Listen | iTunes | RSS (54:50 mins.) |
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To Live with Myths in Pompeii and Beyond Listen | iTunes | RSS (62:57 mins.) |
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Let's Talk: A Conversation with Peter Schjeldahl Listen | iTunes | RSS (59:53 mins.) |
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November 2008 | |
Jan Lievens, Part 3: Return to the Netherlands (1644–1674) Listen | iTunes | RSS (6:21 mins.) |
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Jan Lievens, Part 2: London and Antwerp (1632–1644) Listen | iTunes | RSS (7:07 mins.) |
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Jan Lievens, Part 1: The Leiden Years (1620–1632) Listen | iTunes | RSS (6:27 mins.) |
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Pompeii and the Roman Villa, Part 5: Rediscovery and Reinvention Listen | iTunes | RSS (7:33 mins.) |
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October 2008 | |
Pompeii and the Roman Villa, Part 4: The Greek Legacy Listen | iTunes | RSS (6:27 mins.) |
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Pompeii and the Roman Villa, Part 3: Triclinium of Moregine Listen | iTunes | RSS (3:04 mins.) |
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Pompeii and the Roman Villa, Part 2: Courtyards and Gardens Listen | iTunes | RSS (4:55 mins.) |
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Pompeii and the Roman Villa, Part 1: Patrons at Home Listen | iTunes | RSS (4:25 mins.) |
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September 2008 | |
George de Forest Brush, Part 2: Tradition and Modernity Listen | iTunes | RSS (6:52 mins.) |
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George de Forest Brush, Part 1: The Advent of the Indian Paintings Listen | iTunes | RSS (7:06 mins.) |
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Martin Puryear, Part 2: Defining the Object Ruth Fine, curator of special projects in modern art, National Gallery of Art, and John Elderfield, exhibition curator and chief curator emeritus of painting and sculpture, The Museum of Modern Art In the second of this two-part podcast, produced on the occasion of the Gallery exhibition Martin Puryear, the two curators converse about Elderfield's own interpretation of the artist's sculptures. Listen | iTunes | RSS (6:53 mins.) |
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Martin Puryear, Part 1: Evolution of an Exhibition Ruth Fine, curator of special projects in modern art, National Gallery of Art, and John Elderfield, exhibition curator and chief curator emeritus of painting and sculpture, The Museum of Modern Art Internationally acclaimed artist and native Washingtonian Martin Puryear creates monumental sculptures that recall architecture, craft traditions, and organic forms. In the first of this two-part podcast, produced on the occasion of the Gallery exhibition Martin Puryear, Elderfield talks to Fine about working with the artist to develop this landmark show. Listen | iTunes | RSS (6:58 mins.) |
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August 2008 | |
Richard Misrach, Part 3: On the Beach |
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Richard Misrach, Part 2: Color and Scale Photographer Richard Misrach and Sarah Greenough, senior curator of photographs, National Gallery of Art In the second of this three-part podcast, produced on the occasion of the exhibition Richard Misrach: On the Beach, Misrach discusses the process by which he reached his current photographic style. Listen | iTunes | RSS (11:08 mins.) |
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Richard Misrach, Part 1: Origins and Influences Photographer Richard Misrach and Sarah Greenough, senior curator of photographs, National Gallery of Art Employing an aerial perspective, Richard Misrach instilled his monumental beach series with a sense of disquiet: with references to the horizon and sky eliminated, figures appear isolated and vulnerable. In the first of this three-part podcast, produced on the occasion of the exhibition Richard Misrach: On the Beach, he talks to Sarah Greenough about the influences and origins of his photographic career. Listen | iTunes | RSS (7:43 mins.) |
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Afghan Treasures: Rescuing Tillya Tepe's Gold, Part 4 Listen | iTunes | RSS (7:30 mins.) |
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July 2008 | |
Afghan Treasures: The Silk Road Revealed at Begram, Part 3 Listen | iTunes | RSS (6:25 mins.) |
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June 2008 | |
Afghan Treasures: In Search of "Lady Moon"-Aï Khanum, Part 2 Listen | iTunes | RSS (6:20 mins.) |
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Afghan Treasures: The Bactrian Hoard and Tepe Fullol, Part 1 In the first of this four-part podcast Fredrik Hiebert, exhibition curator and National Geographic Archaeology Fellow, talks to host Barbara Tempchin about the heroism displayed by the Afghan people who kept these treasures hidden for decades. They also discuss one of the oldest archaeological sites, Tepe Fullol. Listen | iTunes | RSS (8:33 mins.) |
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May 2008 | |
The Vogel Collection Story: Part 3, The Fifty Works for Fifty States Project Ruth Fine, curator of special projects in modern art, National Gallery of Art, and collectors Dorothy and Herbert Vogel Dorothy and Herbert Vogel have amassed one of the greatest collections of minimal, conceptual, and post-minimal art in the world, acquiring works by some of the most important contemporary artists of our time, including Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Sol LeWitt, Richard Tuttle, and Pat Steir. Curator of special projects in modern art, Ruth Fine, spoke with the Vogels shortly after they announced The Dorothy and Herbert Vogel Collection: Fifty Works for Fifty States project, which will distribute their vast collection across the country for all to enjoy. In the final part of this three-part podcast, the Vogels discuss the impact they hope their project will have on the arts nationwide. Listen | iTunes | RSS (13:22 mins.) |
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The Vogel Collection Story: Part 2, Working with the National Gallery of Art Ruth Fine, curator of special projects in modern art, National Gallery of Art, and collectors Dorothy and Herbert Vogel Dorothy and Herbert Vogel have amassed one of the greatest collections of minimal, conceptual, and post-minimal art in the world, acquiring works by some of the most important contemporary artists of our time, including Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Sol LeWitt, Richard Tuttle, and Pat Steir. Curator of special projects in modern art, Ruth Fine, spoke with the Vogels shortly after they announced The Dorothy and Herbert Vogel Collection: Fifty Works for Fifty States project, which will distribute their vast collection across the country for all to enjoy. In the second part of this three-part podcast, the Vogels discuss their choice of the National Gallery of Art for their collection. Listen | iTunes | RSS (7:59 mins.) |
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April 2008 | |
The Vogel Collection Story: Part 1, Meeting and Collecting Ruth Fine, curator of special projects in modern art, National Gallery of Art, and collectors Dorothy and Herbert Vogel Dorothy and Herbert Vogel have amassed one of the greatest collections of minimal, conceptual, and post-minimal art in the world, acquiring works by some of the most important contemporary artists of our time, including Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Sol LeWitt, Richard Tuttle, and Pat Steir. Curator of special projects in modern art, Ruth Fine, spoke with the Vogels shortly after they announced The Dorothy and Herbert Vogel Collection: Fifty Works for Fifty States project, which will distribute their vast collection across the country for all to enjoy. In part one of this three-part podcast, the Vogels discuss how they met, and how they started collecting art. Listen | iTunes | RSS (11:27 mins.) |
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The Paper Tiger: Calotypes in Great Britain, Part 2 Sarah Greenough, senior curator of photographs, National Gallery of Art, and Roger Taylor, professor of photographic history at De Montfort University, Leicester Two methods of fixing an image dominated the early days of photography: the one-of-a-kind daguerreotype and the replicable calotype, which was made using paper negatives. In the second of this two-part episode, Gallery curator Sarah Greenough and Professor Roger Taylor of De Montfort University discuss some of the best calotypists, the subjects that fascinated them, and the slow death of the medium as it was supplanted by more popular photographic processes. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition Impressed by Light: British Photographs from Paper Negatives, 1840–1860. Listen | iTunes | RSS (7:40 mins.) |
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The Paper Tiger: Calotypes in Great Britain, Part 1 Sarah Greenough, senior curator of photographs, National Gallery of Art, and Roger Taylor, professor of photographic history at De Montfort University, Leicester Two methods of fixing an image dominated the early days of photography: the one-of-a-kind daguerreotype and the replicable calotype, which was made using paper negatives. In the first of this two-part episode, Gallery curator Sarah Greenough, and Professor Roger Taylor of De Montfort University discuss the emergence of the calotype and how it competed with the emergence of glass negatives. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition Impressed by Light: British Photographs from Paper Negatives, 1840–1860. Listen | iTunes | RSS (7:40 mins.) |
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Tools of the Trade Neal Turtell, executive librarian, National Gallery of Art Artists in the 19th and early 20th century had access to more up-to-date information about art technique and technology than any generation before. Tools of the Trade—in the National Gallery of Art library—offers a fascinating look back in time. The display complements In the Forest of Fontainebleau: Painters and Photographers from Corot to Monet, a showcase of 19th-century landscapes created in the famous forest south of Paris. Executive librarian Neal Turtell talks with Backstory host, Barbara Tempchin, about Tools of the Trade. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition In the Forest of Fontainebleau: Painters and Photographers from Corot to Monet. Listen | iTunes | RSS (6:04 mins.) |
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March 2008 | |
The Italian Legacy in Washington, DC Maygene Daniels, chief of Gallery Archives, National Gallery of Art From its inception, the design of the West Building of the National Gallery of Art was inspired by Italian tradition in art and architecture. The Gallery's collection of Italian paintings is considered to be among the finest in the world, and John Russell Pope's neoclassical design is reminiscent of ancient Rome's Pantheon. In this podcast, host Barbara Tempchin and Gallery chief archivist Maygene Daniels talk about the enduring link between Italian traditions and the National Gallery of Art. Download the Program Flyer (PDF 136k) (Download Acrobat Reader) Listen | iTunes | RSS (5:23 mins.) |
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The Magic of Fontainebleau Kimberly Jones, associate curator of French paintings, National Gallery of Art At one time it was a royal hunting ground for kings and emperors, but in the 19th century, the Forest of Fontainebleau became a magnet for artists and tourists. It was the birthplace of impressionism, and its rugged features and old-growth forests provided artists with endless visually compelling scenes to paint and photograph. In this Backstory episode, curator Kimberly Jones and host Barbara Tempchin discuss the Forest of Fontainebleau and the important place it holds in the history of open-air painting. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition In the Forest of Fontainebleau: Painters and Photographers from Corot to Monet. Listen | iTunes | RSS (7:33 mins.) |
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February 2008 | |
Robert Rauschenberg, Part 1: Printmaking, Collaboration, and Language Charles Ritchie, associate curator of modern prints and drawings, National Gallery of Art, and Mary Lynn Kotz, Rauschenberg biographer Robert Rauschenberg has consistently created vital art for more than 50 years. In the first episode of this four-part series, Gallery curator Charles Ritchie and Rauschenberg biographer Mary Lynn Kotz discuss why the artist chose printmaking as a favorite medium and why collaboration has been central to his creative process. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition Let the World In: Prints by Robert Rauschenberg from the National Gallery of Art and Related Collections. Listen | iTunes | RSS (6:00 mins.) |
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Robert Rauschenberg, Part 2: The Personal and the Global Charles Ritchie, associate curator of modern prints and drawings, National Gallery of Art, and Mary Lynn Kotz, Rauschenberg biographer Robert Rauschenberg has consistently created vital art for more than 50 years. Everything from newspaper clippings to family images is crucial to his work. In the second episode of this four-part series, Gallery curator Charles Ritchie and Rauschenberg biographer May Lynn Kotz discuss how Rauschenberg's art has always incorporated both personal and global references. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition Let the World In: Prints by Robert Rauschenberg from the National Gallery of Art and Related Collections. Listen | iTunes | RSS (6:07 mins.) |
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Robert Rauschenberg, Part 3: Family Matters Charles Ritchie, associate curator of modern prints and drawings, National Gallery of Art, and Mary Lynn Kotz, Rauschenberg biographer Robert Rauschenberg has consistently created vital art for more than 50 years and family relationships have been influential. In the third episode of this four-part series, Gallery curator Charles Ritchie and Rauschenberg biographer Mary Lynn Kotz discuss the role that the artist's parents played in his becoming an artist, and how his strained relationship with his father affected his art. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition Let the World In: Prints by Robert Rauschenberg from the National Gallery of Art and Related Collections. Listen | iTunes | RSS (6:34 mins.) |
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Robert Rauschenberg, Part 4: Today's Work Charles Ritchie, associate curator of modern prints and drawings, National Gallery of Art, and Mary Lynn Kotz, Rauschenberg biographer Robert Rauschenberg has consistently created vital art for more than 50 years. Now working from a wheelchair after a series of strokes, Rauschenberg continues to produce new art. In the last episode of this four-part series, Gallery curator Charles Ritchie and Rauschenberg biographer Mary Lynn Kotz discuss his current work—the Lotus series—and reveal how his ROCI series got its name. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition Let the World In: Prints by Robert Rauschenberg from the National Gallery of Art and Related Collections. Listen | iTunes | RSS (4:09 mins.) |
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Going Dutch: Exploring Paintings from the Netherlands, Part 2 Arthur K. Wheelock Jr., curator of northern baroque paintings, National Gallery of Art Why do so many people love Dutch paintings? Whether it is the stunning landscapes, the seemingly familiar portraits, or the lush still lifes, these centuries-old paintings still resonate today. In the second part of this Backstory episode, curator Arthur Wheelock and host Barbara Tempchin discuss the National Gallery of Art Dutch paintings collection, how it grew, and the recent acquisition of a Salomon van Ruysdael masterpiece. Listen | iTunes | RSS (6:44 mins.) |
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January 2008 | |
Bronze and Boxwood: Sculpting the Robert H. Smith Collection |
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Going Dutch: Exploring Paintings from the Netherlands, Part 1 Arthur K. Wheelock Jr., curator of northern baroque paintings, National Gallery of Art Why do so many people love Dutch paintings? Whether it is the stunning landscapes, the seemingly familiar portraits, or the lush still lifes, these centuries-old paintings still resonate today. In the first part of this Backstory episode, curator Arthur Wheelock and host Barbara Tempchin discuss these masterpieces and why they continue to fascinate us. Listen | iTunes | RSS (6:27 mins.) |
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Why Medals Matter: The Story of the Renaissance Medal Eleonora Luciano, associate curator of sculpture, National Gallery of Art Medals, like those given out at the Olympics, are typically associated with feats of athleticism. However, during the Renaissance, medals were used for purposes of propaganda. The National Gallery of Art has released a two-volume, 1,200-page catalogue of its Renaissance medals collection, one of the world's most outstanding. In this podcast, one of the authors, Gallery associate curator Eleonora Luciano, talks to host Barbara Tempchin about these intriguing works of art. Listen | iTunes | RSS (7:36 mins.) |
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December 2007 | |
The Baroque Woodcut: Carving a Niche Peter Parshall, curator and head of old master prints, National Gallery of Art Centuries before photography was invented, artists used woodcuts to reproduce their works for the public. The idea behind the woodcut is simple—an image is carved onto a wood block, dipped into ink, and pressed onto a surface. But creating a quality woodcut takes enormous skill. Peter Parshall, curator of old master prints, and host Barbara Tempchin talk about the baroque woodcut. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition The Baroque Woodcut. Listen | iTunes | RSS (7:13 mins.) |
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Opening the Covers of the Rare Book Collection Neal Turtell, executive librarian, National Gallery of Art Most people think that rare books are stashed away in the corners of museums, untouched and collecting dust. At the National Gallery of Art, not only are they given a special climate-controlled environment, but they're often on public display. In this podcast, executive librarian Neal Turtell talks to host Barbara Tempchin about the Gallery's rare books collection, in particular about those featured in the exhibition British Picturesque Landscapes, on view in the Gallery's West Building through February 24, 2008. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition J.M.W. Turner. Listen | iTunes | RSS (6:01 mins.) |
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November 2007 | |
Exploring Turner, Part 1: Process Ian Warrell, curator of 18th- and 19th-century British art, Tate Britain, London, and Franklin Kelly, senior curator, National Gallery of Art In this two-part podcast, Franklin Kelly, National Gallery of Art senior curator, and Tate Museum curator Ian Warrell discuss the life and work of J.M.W. Turner. Here, focusing on Turner's process, they talk about the artist's use of sketchbooks and observation, his dramatic series of works depicting the burning of the Houses of Parliament, and his modernist aesthetic. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition J.M.W. Turner. Listen | iTunes | RSS (10:11 mins.) |
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Exploring Turner, Part 2: Invention Ian Warrell, curator of 18th- and 19th-century British art, Tate Britain, London, and Franklin Kelly, senior curator, National Gallery of Art In this two-part podcast, Franklin Kelly, National Gallery of Art senior curator, and Tate Museum curator Ian Warrell discuss the life and work of J.M.W. Turner. Here, focusing on Turner's inventiveness, they talk about how the artist positioned himself within the history of art, the range of his subjects, and his open-ended process of discovery. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition J.M.W. Turner. Listen | iTunes | RSS (6:29 mins.) |
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Rauschenberg's Experiments in Printmaking
Charles Ritchie, associate curator of modern prints and drawings, National Gallery of Art, and Barbara Tempchin Robert Rauschenberg has been at the forefront of American art for more than 50 years. His bold, innovative experiments in printmaking are the focus of an exhibition called Let the World In: Prints by Robert Rauschenberg from the National Gallery of Art and Related Collections. In this Backstory, host Barbara Tempchin and Charles Ritchie, exhibition curator, discuss the impact Rauschenberg's prints have had on artists worldwide. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition Let the World In: Prints by Robert Rauschenberg from the National Gallery of Art and Related Collections. Listen | iTunes | RSS (9:41 mins.) |
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J.M.W. Turner and America Franklin Kelly, senior curator of American and British paintings, National Gallery of Art, and Barbara Tempchin J.M.W. Turner's innovative paintings and watercolors have fascinated collectors and artists for almost two centuries. In the United States, the British master's works were received with a sense of amazement, and eventually, with widespread admiration. Curator Franklin Kelly chats with host Barbara Tempchin about the impact that Turner had on American art. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition J.M.W. Turner. Listen | iTunes | RSS (6:50 mins.) |
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October 2007 | |
Snapshot Collecting Robert E. Jackson, collector, and Sarah Greenough, senior curator of photographs, National Gallery of Art Robert E. Jackson has been collecting other people's snapshots for more than a decade. Some of the best works in his collection are on display in The Art of the American Snapshot, 1888–1978. In this podcast Jackson and Sarah Greenough, senior curator of photographs, talk about why he collects snapshots and what makes an image capture his attention. Listen | iTunes | RSS (9:46 mins.) |
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The Mystique of Edward Hopper Carol Troyen, curator emerita, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Edward Hopper's depictions of 20th-century America continue to engage and fascinate the public. Shortly after the opening of the Edward Hopper exhibition at the National Gallery of Art, Alan Shestack spoke with Carol Troyen, curator emerita at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, about Hopper's captivating paintings and etchings. They also discuss the theme of solitude prevalent in his works. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition Edward Hopper. Listen | iTunes | RSS (11:46 mins.) |
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Holiday Stamps: Bernardino Luini's The Madonna of the Carnation David Brown, curator of Italian paintings, National Gallery of Art Since 1965 the National Gallery of Art and the United States Postal Service have collaborated to select a national Christmas stamp. In 2007 Bernardino Luini's The Madonna of the Carnation (c. 1515) will grace envelopes across the country. National Gallery of Art curator David Brown joins host Barbara Tempchin to talk about Luini and this beautiful painting. Listen | iTunes | RSS (7:05 mins.) | |
Amateur Photography and the Decisive Moment Sarah Greenough, curator and head of the department of photographs, National Gallery of Art Since the first Kodak camera was sold in 1888, American amateur photographers have taken billions of snapshots. In this Backstory episode, curator Sarah Greenough and host Barbara Tempchin discuss how anonymous photographers experimented with the medium, creating artfully crafted images. They also talk about the exhibition The Art of the American Snapshot, 1888–1978: From the Collection of Robert E. Jackson. Listen | iTunes | RSS (8:07 mins.) |
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September 2007 | |
Exploring Photography at the National Gallery of Art Sarah Greenough, curator and head of the department of photographs, National Gallery of Art The National Gallery of Art has presented memorable exhibitions of photographs through the years, ranging from monographic shows on the work of such well-known photographers as Ansel Adams and Robert Frank to historically based exhibitions such as Foto: Modernity in Central Europe, 1918–1945. The Gallery's deputy director Alan Shestack speaks with curator Sarah Greenough about the history of the photography collection and the gallery space devoted to the medium. Listen | iTunes | RSS (7:58 mins.) |
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Listen to engaging conversations between Gallery staff and top cultural figures. |
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A Shakespearean Connection Michael Kahn, artistic director, Shakespeare Theatre Company, and Franklin Kelly, senior curator, National Gallery of Art Although separated in life by 150 years, the playwright William Shakespeare and artist Joseph William Mallord Turner share more than just a name, and possibly a birthday (April 23). Michael Kahn, artistic director of the world-renowned Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, and Gallery senior curator Franklin Kelly take time out from their busy schedules to discuss how the Bard influenced the one of Britain's most celebrated artists. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition J.M.W. Turner. Listen | iTunes | RSS (13:15 mins.) |
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Telling the Edward Hopper Story Carroll Moore, film and video producer, National Gallery of Art The iconic paintings and artistic impact of Edward Hopper are the subject of a new documentary film that accompanies the exhibition Edward Hopper on its Boston-Washington-Chicago tour. Award-winning producer Carroll Moore speaks with Tempchin about the making of this illuminating film. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition Edward Hopper. Listen | iTunes | RSS (7:37 mins.) |
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Hopper Meets Opera in Later the Same Evening Leon Major, professor of music, University of Maryland The world of music merges with the visual arts in Later the Same Evening: an opera inspired by five paintings of Edward Hopper. The performance is a joint project of the National Gallery of Art, the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, and the University of Maryland School of Music. Music professor Leon Major talks about the opera and artist Edward Hopper with Tempchin. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition Edward Hopper. Listen | iTunes | RSS (7:04 mins.) |
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August 2007 | |
Desiderio da Settignano Nicholas Penny, senior curator of sculpture and decorative arts The work of 15th-century sculptor Desiderio da Settignano inspired contemporaries to declare that he "brought cold marble to life." On the occasion of the exhibition Desiderio da Settignano: Sculptor of Renaissance Florence, Alan Shestack, deputy director of the National Gallery of Art, talks with senior curator Nicholas Penny about Desiderio—the sculptor and the exhibition. Listen | iTunes | RSS (9:18 mins.) |
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Listen to engaging conversations between Gallery staff and top cultural figures. |
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Modernity and Tradition: Film in Interwar Central Europe Margaret Parsons, head of the film programs and Sonja Simonyi, curator of the Modernity and Tradition film series In Europe during the period between the two world wars, artistic motion pictures were as popular a medium of expression as photography. The National Gallery of Art film series Modernity and Tradition: Film in Interwar Central Europe, which accompanies the Gallery's exhibition on tour, Foto: Modernity in Central Europe, 1918–1945, includes more than 30 documentaries, features, and experimental films. Listen | iTunes | RSS (7:13 mins.) |
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Modernity in Central Europe, 1918–1945 Matthew S. Witkovsky, assistant curator of photographs Against a background of tremendous social and political upheaval, photography scaled new heights in Austria, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Hungary, and Poland between the two world wars. Host Barbara Tempchin and Matthew S. Witkovsky, curator of Foto: Modernity in Central Europe, 1918–1945, discuss the landmark exhibition, which had its world premiere here at the National Gallery of Art in June 2007. Listen | iTunes | RSS (8:21 mins.) |
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Tabernacle Frames from the Samuel H. Kress Collection Karen Serres, A. W. Mellon Curatorial Fellow Going to a museum typically means looking at works of art inside picture frames. But have you ever taken the time to look at the frames themselves? Karen Serres, Andrew W. Mellon Curatorial Fellow, helped organize the installation Tabernacle Frames from the Samuel H. Kress Collection. Host Barbara Tempchin talks with her about the space just outside the picture. Listen | iTunes | RSS (6:33 mins.) |
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July 2007 | |
Who Is That Boy in Fancy Dress? Arthur K. Wheelock Jr., curator of northern baroque paintings More than 40 years after Rembrandt's painting Portrait of a Boy in Fancy Dress (c. 1655), or "Titus," made its first Washington appearance, it has returned to the National Gallery of Art for several months through September 2007 as part of a new series of loan exchanges between the Gallery and the Norton Simon Foundations in Pasadena, CA. Installed in the Rembrandt galleries next to the artist's Self-Portrait (1659), it sparks intriguing questions: Who is this young boy? Is it Rembrandt's son? What is the mysterious animal on his shoulder? How does the portrait relate to a nearby painting by Hans Holbein? Produced in conjunction with the exhibition Rembrandt's "Titus" from the Norton Simon Museum. Listen | iTunes | RSS (12:05 mins.) |
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Listen to engaging conversations between Gallery staff and top cultural figures. |
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Photography between the Wars Robert Leibowits, collector For years Robert and June Leibowits have been collecting photographs and books. A portion of their impressive collection of eastern European photographs from between the two world wars is featured in the National Gallery of Art exhibition Foto: Modernity in Central Europe, 1918–1945. Exhibition curator Matthew S. Witkovsky chats with Robert Leibowits to find out what drives him to collect in this medium and subject area. Listen | iTunes | RSS (8:48 mins.) |
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The Making of a DVD Paul Mellon: In His Own Words Joe Krakora, development and external affairs officer The centenary of the birth of National Gallery of Art founder Paul Mellon provides the theme for the first Backstory. Joe Krakora, director of the new documentary Paul Mellon: In His Own Words, and host Barbara Tempchin discuss the film, which airs on public television nationwide in fall 2007 and is available now for free download from Apple iTunes®. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition Celebrating the Legacy of Paul Mellon at the National Gallery of Art. Listen | iTunes | RSS (10:37 mins.) |
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The Mellon Legacy: Andrew and Paul Mellon Maygene Daniels, chief of Gallery archives In our second Backstory we look at the Mellon legacy. Gallery archivist Maygene Daniels and Barbara Tempchin discuss Andrew Mellon's founding of the National Gallery of Art and how this legacy was carried on through his son Paul Mellon. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition Celebrating the Legacy of Paul Mellon at the National Gallery of Art. Listen | iTunes | RSS (10:09 mins.) |
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Philip Guston Philip Guston is a short film made at the National Gallery of Art to accompany In the Tower: Philip Guston, the first in a series of exhibitions in the Tower Gallery of the East Building that will focus on developments in art since 1970. The film tells the surprising story of Guston's career, which spanned five decades and moved from the mural art of the Depression through abstract expressionism to a raw new imagery in the late 1960s and 1970s. With clips of Guston at work and talking about his art, the film succinctly reveals the artist's motives, methods, sources, and legacy. Directed by Carroll Moore, produced by Susan Arensberg, with support from the HRH Foundation Hi-Res | Lo-Res | iTunes | RSS (7:30 mins.) |
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Vermeer: Master of Light Vermeer: Master of Light is a visual pilgrimage in search of what makes a Vermeer a Vermeer. It is a journey of discovery, guiding the viewer through an examination of three of Johannes Vermeer's paintings and exploring the "secrets" of his technique. Utilizing the potential of x-ray analysis and infrared reflectography as well as the power of computer technology, the program delves beneath the surface of the paintings to unveil fascinating insights into Vermeer's work. This film celebrates one of the most extraordinary painters in the history of art. Narrated by Meryl Streep, with commentary by Arthur Wheelock, curator of northern baroque paintings, National Gallery of Art, and David Bull, conservator. Woman Holding a Balance, Part 1 This segment analyzes the National Gallery's painting Woman Holding a Balance. With the help of special effects we are able to understand Vermeer's construction of the painting and his complete control of the work. Hi-Res | Lo-Res | iTunes | RSS (2:43 mins.) The Music Lesson, Part 2 This segment uses computer technology to deconstruct The Music Lesson and demonstrate to the viewer how Vermeer has painstakingly placed every object in the painting to achieve his desired result. Hi-Res | Lo-Res | iTunes | RSS (8:42 mins.) Girl with the Red Hat, Part 3 This segment examines the National Gallery's painting Girl with the Red Hat. It explains Vermeer's mastery of color and explores the minute details of the painting with magnification of, in some instances, more than 300 percent. Hi-Res | Lo-Res | iTunes | RSS (1:42 mins.) Camera Obscura, Part 4 This segment uses computer technology to illustrate how Vermeer applied the optical principle of the camera obscura while painting Girl with the Red Hat. Hi-Res | Lo-Res | iTunes | RSS (1:41 mins.) Woman Writing a Letter, Part 5 This segment explores the power of the National Gallery of Art's painting Woman Writing a Letter. It examines Vermeer's painting techniques and his use of color. Hi-Res | Lo-Res | iTunes | RSS (2:41 mins.) |
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"Multiverse," Leo Villareal Installation Multiverse (2008), a site-specific LED sculpture by Leo Villareal, is currently on view in the Concourse walkway connecting the East and West Buildings of the National Gallery of Art. The sculpture, which includes approximately 41,000 LED (light-emitting diode) nodes controlled by custom-designed software, is Villareal's largest and most ambitious work to date. Learn more about the artist's programming method as well as his conceptual and technological inspiration in this studio interview. The sculpture, which will be on view until November 2009, was generously funded by Victoria P. and Roger Sant, and Sharon P. and Jay Rockefeller. Programming, Part 1 Hi-Res | Lo-Res | iTunes | RSS (3:50 mins.) Pattern Recognition, Part 2 Hi-Res | Lo-Res | iTunes | RSS (3:12 mins.) Installation, Part 3 Hi-Res | Lo-Res | iTunes | RSS (2:13 mins.) |
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Pompeii and the Roman Villa: Art and Culture around the Bay of Naples Narrated by Sir Derek Jacobi and produced by the National Gallery, this excerpt is from a new documentary film that examines the explosion of artistic activity around the Bay of Naples beginning in the first century BC. The film includes original footage of houses in Pompeii and of the seaside villas that dotted the coastline of the Bay of Naples. The 30-minute version of the film is on view and for sale at the National Gallery of Art. The film is made possible by the HRH Foundation. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition Pompeii and the Roman Villa: Art and Culture around the Bay of Naples. The video is available for purchase from the Gallery Shop. Hi-Res | Lo-Res | iTunes | RSS (2:28 mins.) |
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Empire of the Eye: The Magic of Illusion The Magic of Illusion—presented here in a seven-part podcast series—is a film about how we see, what we see, or what it is we think we see. Al Roker guides us on a journey into the secrets of illusion, utilizing special effects to illustrate the artistic and visionary discoveries of the Renaissance. While Copernicus and Columbus were changing our understanding of the world, the Renaissance masters were dramatically changing the way we see that world. The film uses recent technology to look at old works in new ways. Each segment of this podcast presentation unlocks new secrets of illusion and perspective as seen in the works of old masters. This program made possible by The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations. Introduction, Part 1 Hi-Res | Lo-Res | iTunes | RSS (3:11 mins.) The Trinity—Masaccio, Part 2 The Church of Santa Maria presso San Satiro, Part 3 Sant'Ignazio's Ceiling, Part 4 Palazzo Spada's Corridor, Part 5 St. Francis of Paola, Performer of Miracles, Part 6 Teatro Olimpico—Andrea Palladio, Part 7 |
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Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul This two-minute trailer of the new documentary produced by Blue Bear Films for the National Geographic Society on the occasion of the traveling exhibition Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul features footage of the 2003 rediscovery of the collections from the National Museum, Kabul, which had been hidden in the vaults of the Central Bank in the Presidential Palace in 1988. National Geographic archaeologist Fredrik T. Hiebert and museum director Omara Massoudi give their personal accounts of this dramatic story. A 10-minute version will be shown in the exhibition and the full-length 28-minute film will be available from the Gallery Shops this summer. The exhibition begins a 17-month tour of the United States at the National Gallery of Art, on view May 25–September 7, 2008. The video is available for purchase from the Gallery Shop. Hi-Res | iTunes | RSS (2:00 mins.) |
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J.M.W. Turner Film This excerpt is from a new documentary chronicling the rise of one of the greatest landscape painters of all time, Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775–1851), who rendered the subtle effects of light and atmosphere in revolutionary ways. A barber's son, he entered the Royal Academy art school at age 14 and became, over the course of six decades, the leading British artist of his era. This overview of Turner's career and influences includes footage of locations important to him in Wales, Switzerland, and England, and readings from writers and artists of the era, including John Ruskin and Lord Byron. A 30-minute version of the film may be purchased at the National Gallery of Art. Narrated by Jeremy Irons and produced by the Gallery in conjunction with the exhibition J.M.W. Turner, the film is made possible by the HRH Foundation. The video is available for purchase from the Gallery Shop Hi-Res | Lo-Res | iTunes | RSS (12:00 mins.) |
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Wyeth Lecture in American Art: Ground Swell: Edward Hopper in 1939 Edward Hopper's paintings often show people and places in states of enigmatic isolation, loneliness, and contemplation. These are among the fabled Hopper themes—so fabled it would hardly seem possible to go beyond them to give another account of his art. Focusing on one Hopper painting, Ground Swell of 1939, this lecture by Alexander Nemerov tries to provide a thicker, denser, more surprising story of what it meant for Hopper to make a painting, especially in the year 1939. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition Edward Hopper. Hi-Res | Lo-Res | iTunes | RSS (52:13 mins.) |
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Edward Hopper's New York The National Gallery of Art has released a new video podcast about the artist and his work and influence. In the podcast, which features more than 50 of Hopper's paintings and watercolors, senior curator Franklin Kelly discusses New York City, New England, and the cinema as Hopper saw and portrayed them—and as we view them today through his work. The filming of the podcast was made possible by Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. Music composed and performed by Scott Silbert of the US Navy Band. Music engineered by David Morse of the US Navy Band. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition Edward Hopper. Hi-Res | Lo-Res | iTunes | RSS (8:47 mins.) | Transcript |
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Edward Hopper Film This excerpt is from a new documentary produced by the National Gallery of Art that includes archival footage of Edward Hopper (1882–1967), new footage of places that inspired him in New York and New England, including his boyhood home in Nyack and his studio on Washington Square, where he lived and worked for more than 50 years. Narrated by actor and art collector Steve Martin, this film traces Hopper's varied influences, from French impressionism to the gangster films of the 1930s. Artists Red Grooms and Eric Fischl discuss Hopper's influence on their careers. Curators discuss recent and diverse perspectives on Hopper's art. The 30-minute version of the film is on view and for sale at the National Gallery of Art. The film is made possible by the HRH Foundation. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition Edward Hopper. The video is available for purchase from the Gallery Shop. Hi-res | Lo-Res | iTunes | RSS (3:26 mins.) |
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Mel Bochner Installation: Theory of Boundaries (1969–1970) Over the course of three days, from February 14 to 16, 2007, Mel Bochner and his assistant Nicholas Knight installed Theory of Boundaries at the National Gallery of Art. The work, whose size is determined by the length of the wall on which it is installed, consists of four squares of equal size, each separated by a space equal to one-third of the width of a single square. Following the principles determined by the "language fraction" of each square (hence the work's title, Theory of Boundaries), dry pigment is applied directly to the wall, with each of the four squares demonstrating a different relationship of the color surface to its border and state of enclosure. Produced in conjunction with the installation Mel Bochner: Theory of Boundaries (1969–1970). Play | iTunes | RSS (2:01 mins.) |
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Paul Mellon: in His Own Words This film celebrates the spirit and philosophy of Paul Mellon. The narration is comprised of his own words drawn from interviews, speeches and a variety of writings. He takes us on a gentle journey into his passions and interests in life including family, art, collecting, horses, and racing. The film captures the gentle nature and wisdom of an extraordinary man. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition Celebrating the Legacy of Paul Mellon at the National Gallery of Art. The video is available for purchase from the Gallery Shop. Lo-Res | iTunes | RSS (48:00 mins.) |
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Concert in Honor of African American History Month by Celeste Headlee and Danielle DeSwert
Listen to music by William Grant Still, known as the dean of African American composers, and one of the country's most celebrated figures in music. A prolific composer, Still wrote more than 150 works, including symphonies, ballets, operas, chamber pieces, and vocal works. The concert features performances by Celeste Headlee, W. G. Still's granddaughter, and Danielle DeSwert. Concert Notes (PDF 88k) Listen | iTunes | RSS (45:28 mins.) |
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The Choir of St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle Live Performance at the National Gallery of Art Introduction: Joseph Krakora, executive officer of development and external affairs, National Gallery of Art Program: Locus iste (Bruckner), Prevent us, O Lord in all our doings (Byrd), Ave maris stella (Grieg), Psalm 121, Above all praise and majesty (Mendelssohn) One of the most renowned choirs in the world, the Choir of St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, presented a brief concert at the National Gallery of Art on October 25, 2007, in honor of the centenary of the birth of Paul Mellon (1907–1999), founding benefactor of the Gallery and an ardent Anglophile. In his memoir, Reflections in a Silver Spoon, Mellon suggested that his love of Great Britain was foreshadowed during his first visit with his parents, when he was baptized in St. George's Chapel on December 22, 1907. The performance took place in the Gallery's East Garden Court. Listen (14:03 mins.) |
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"Out my one window," an Aria from Later the Same Evening: an opera inspired by five paintings of Edward Hopper Listen to the premiere performance of "Out my one window," an aria recorded on June 19, 2007 at a National Gallery of Art press conference announcing the new opera Later the Same Evening: an opera inspired by five paintings of Edward Hopper, commissioned to coincide with the Edward Hopper exhibition at the Gallery. "Out my one window," music by John Musto and lyrics by Mark Campbell, is used by kind permission of Peermusic Classical, New York. Listen | iTunes | RSS (9:07 mins.) |