01/13/2023
12 Ways to Celebrate Lunar New Year Around DC
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! 🐰🐱
Lion dance performances, percussion concerts, festive food, and more.
Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art
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Our collections feature ancient to contemporary masterpieces from Japan, China, Korea, Southeast Asia, India, and the Near East. In addition, we have an important collection of 19th-century American art, punctuated by James McNeill Whistler's Peacock Room. Please feel free to share thoughts about our posts, ask us questions, or tell us about your visit. We hope you’ll contribute to this interactiv
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The National Museum of Asian Art staff does not identify, authenticate, or appraise objects or works of art that do not belong to the museum; nor do they offer advice about the care and conservation of objects. Staff members cannot make statements regarding authenticity or monetary value. The curators’ primary responsibility is to research, publish, and exhibit the collections that belong to the museum.
Operating as usual
01/13/2023
No Bears Trailer 1080 HD.mp4
The 27th Festival of Films from Iran returns with tributes to persecuted filmmakers Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof; celebrations of rebellious women in solidarity with the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement in Iran; and two restored classics.
Mark your calendars for Jan 20-Feb. 12th: https://s.si.edu/3ivsq7x
“No Bears” trailer courtesy of Janus Films
01/11/2023
JOB ALERT: Consistently ranked among mid-size agencies as one of the “Best Places to Work,” we are a Chief Advancement Officer. Apply here: https://bit.ly/3CCwdqm
01/09/2023
See this ancient Egyptian shrine up close February 16th as part of our interactive "Conservation & Scientific Research Cart Talks" series: https://s.si.edu/3jlMvgj
01/07/2023
17 Must-See Exhibitions This Winter and Spring, From New York to the Ivory Coast
“‘A : Paintings from Royal Udaipur’ at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C., is at the top of my list.” Thank you, Vogue!
01/06/2023
Peacock Shutters Open III
Add a "Harmony in Blue and Gold" to a gray winter's day.
See this majestic experience for yourself, as the 🦚 shutters re-open at noon, Thursday, Jan. 19th. We are just steps from the Smithsonian Metro.
Plan your visit here: https://s.si.edu/3rvSvnz
01/04/2023
To usher in the , we'll be hosting a traditional lion dance, gallery tours, cooking demos by local celebrity chefs Danny Lee and Scott Drewno of CHIKO, an online performance by the Shanghai Quartet, plus crafts, family activities and so much more.
Join us this , and tell us what you're most excited about! https://s.si.edu/3By0PZn
Images:
[1] Photo courtesy of Danny Lee
[2] Photo courtesy of Scott Drewno
[3] Shanghai Quartet, photo credit: Sophie Zai
[4-5] Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.
01/02/2023
Landscape: autumn and winter, Hishikawa Sōri
A new year, a fresh chance to find inner quietude.
Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, join us online this and every Friday for free meditation classes paired with artwork from our collections. Come as you are—all are welcome, so bring a friend!
Image: “Landscape: autumn and winter,” Hishikawa Sōri, Japan, Edo period, late 18th–early 19th century, color, ink and gold on paper / Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC: Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1906.234
01/01/2023
2023 Centennial Trailer 90 secs
2023 is our centennial year. This is who we are.
See what we have planned for : asia.si.edu/centennial
12/31/2022
Year-End Giving
Nearly a century ago, Charles Lang Freer envisioned this museum as a meeting place for arts, ideas, people, and cultures, where anyone could come to learn and to be inspired—free of charge. His generous donation to the American people laid the groundwork.
But it has always been a team effort.
Because the National Museum of Asian Art—a monument to the intersections of Asian and American arts and cultures—is a public–private partnership that depends on all of us.
Previous generations have helped the museum grow into the unparalleled celebration of arts, cultures, and knowledge that we all know and love today. Now it's our turn.
Time is running out to reach our goal of raising $30,000 before our centennial year arrives at midnight. As someone who shares our belief in the importance of art, history, and cultural exchange, won't you help us reach our goal? Give now: https://s.si.edu/3Wxbtrs
12/30/2022
2022 Year in Review
As we close out 2022, we are so proud of all we've accomplished together.
We started as a forum for cultural exchange in 1923 and since then, it's been our mission to use our collections as a catalyst for leading scholarship, groundbreaking conservation and scientific research, and exhibitions and public programs that educate and inspire.
Did we see you this year? What was your favorite program? Support years of Asian arts and cultures here: https://s.si.edu/3WijLnx
12/29/2022
2022 Was a Standout Year for Local Photography - WCP
Thanks Washington City Paper, for naming "Living in Two Times" the #1 photography exhibition of 2022 in the annual list of top local photography exhibits!
Be sure to join us for a special, curator-led tour January 7th before it closes.
From Robert Adams to Rana Javadi, critic Louis Jacobson deems these eight local photography exhibits the very best of 2022.
12/28/2022
In Japan, paintings of birds and flowers began to appear during the Heian period (794–1185) to reference seasonal associations or auspicious homonyms, or of replicating the natural world in remarkable detail.
See "Feathered Ink" one last time before it takes flight January 29th. Explore more here: https://s.si.edu/3QvaPYW
Image: "Auspicious Symbols: Crane, Rising Sun and Peach," Okamoto Shūki 岡本秋暉 (1807-1862), Edo period, ca. 1850 / Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC: Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1998.297.
12/28/2022
Join us for an interactive, hands-on exploration of "Repair and Treatment on Paper" and other presentations, part of the Conservation & Scientific Research Cart Talks: https://s.si.edu/3jlMvgj
12/27/2022
Why the U.S. Rejected—Then Embraced—a Detroit Industrialist's Rare Collection of Asian Art
"The museum’s centennial next year offers a time to reflect on and celebrate its story—one that extends beyond a single name appearing on the façade of the building. [...] An exhibition on view at the National Museum of Asian Art, “Freer’s Global Network: Artists, Collectors and Dealers,” takes a peek behind the curtain to tell that remarkable story."
The legacy of voracious collector Charles Lang Freer, a good friend of James McNeill Whistler, is marked by tension and irony
12/26/2022
Centennial Trailer
Saturday at midnight, our centennial year begins. And we are so excited to celebrate with you!
You and our community are the key to it all. In the galleries and the Freer courtyard, at concerts in the Meyer Auditorium and art-making on the museum steps, in deep conversation at a panel discussion or scholarly debate at a symposium—you make the museum what it is today.
And so, we’re calling on you to help us launch the museum’s next century. NMAA only receives limited federal support; it’s curious, caring folks like you who share our love for arts and cultures that make our work possible, every day.
Our goal is to raise $30,000 before our centennial year arrives. Gifts of all sizes are vital to our success. Will you consider stepping up to foster deep connection through the power of art? https://s.si.edu/3YHcuPt
12/23/2022
Onsite Tours - Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art
Come in from the cold, and enjoy a FREE docent-guided tour of our collections today at 1pm.
Just steps from the Smithsonian Metro. Meet at the Freer Info Desk. No registration needed. We are closed Dec. 25th:
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 45,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a free, docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas. Public Tour Topics Permanent Collection Highlights Tour Seven days a week at 1:00 p.m.; me...
12/22/2022
Abbott Thayer’s Monadnock Paintings
The Keene Sentinel Reporter Coraline James discovers a piece of her New Hampshire home in our museum.
In an article, she writes, “I lifted my head and my hangdog gaze was met by two luminous and absorbing paintings of Mt. Monadnock. I did not expect to see two paintings of a mountain in New Hampshire in an Asian art museum.”
Now that's its officially winter, transport to Mount Monadnock and witness its magnificent peak as depicted in Abbott Thayer's painting, where his modest home in Dublin, New Hampshire afforded a view of the stunning landscape. Mount Monadnock has historically provided solace and inspiration for artists. To Thayer, it became the spiritual center of his life, and he felt his soul when gazing upon the mountain's beauty.
Thayer was particularly captivated with the mountain in the winter since the region was almost deserted. These oil on canvas paintings, "Monadnock in Winter" (1904) and "Monadnock No. 2" (1912) depict the mountain in differing ways.
Witness these paintings at the museum and you might uncover a piece of home while exploring our galleries.
Two paintings hang close together on the same wall in the inner chamber of the National Museum of Asian Art, formerly the Charles Freer Gallery. Mingled amongst the thousands of
12/21/2022
In ancient Yemen, a booming economy sparked cultures rivaling the Greeks and Romans
"Ancient Greece and Rome are well represented in museums across the world, but the contemporaneous civilizations of Yemen — including a mysterious Jewish community — have received far less recognition. A new exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, seeks to correct this historical prejudice."
A newly-opened Smithsonian exhibit holds 2,000-year-old artifacts revealing a civilization in its golden age, with an incense trade that spanned the known world from Rome to India
12/21/2022
NMAA x Good Earth Selection I
Good Earth is the gold standard for homegrown luxury in India, and now it's available in our museum store.
From the first Indian brand to join our exclusive selection, each product is impressed with the heritage of India and hand-crafted by its artisans. Dress, gather, celebrate and dream in the most colorful ways this holiday.
Open daily 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25), come shop home furnishings, tableware, apparel and more, available online soon. Sales support new exhibitions, exciting public programs and innovative educational outreach initiatives.
12/19/2022
Maharana Shambhu Singh on a monsoon excursion
🔊 SOUND ON: What is a monsoon mood?
Golden lightning ripples across the sky as a king and his companions inspect their realm’s extensive waterways during a storm. The day is hot, the clouds thick. Rain cools their skin, the emerald hills are lush, the sluices are working, and Udaipur prospers.
This ambient soundscape created by Amit Dutta exclusively for the exhibition A Splendid Land builds off and intensifies the moods in a gallery devoted entirely to paintings of the rainy season. Come in, lie back, and immerse yourself in the moods of the monsoon.
Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. or visit online: https://s.si.edu/3L9MaY8
Image: Maharana Fateh Singh crossing a river during the monsoon
Shivalal, ca. 1893
Sheet, 82.6 × 158.8cm
The City Palace Museum, Udaipur 2012.19.0038
Video directed and edited by Amit Dutta. Animation by Vatsal.
Eternal Mewar Friends of Mewar
12/16/2022
Photography's relationship to memory is both powerful and fragile. Iranian photographers Bahman Jalali and Rana Javadi created an unparalleled visual record of a tumultuous period in their homeland.
In this photograph, people stand outside a ransacked police station and read papers strewn like confetti on the sidewalk in the chaotic early days of the revolution and mass demonstrations in the streets.
There are only a few weeks left to view the powerful photographs of "Living in Two Times: Photography by Bahman Jalali and Rana Javadi," on view through January 8, 2023: https://s.si.edu/3BApmOp
Image: "Untitled, from the series, Days of Blood, Days of Fire," Artist: Rana Javadi (Iran, born 1953), Printer: Rana Javadi (Iran, born 1953), 1978 (printed 2014), Ink-jet print on paper, H x W (image): 40.1 × 60.3 cm (15 13/16 × 23 3/4 in) H x W (sheet): 50 × 75 cm (19 11/16 × 29 9/16 in), Iran / Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC: Purchase -- Jahangir and Eleanor Amuzegar Endowment for Contemporary Iranian Art, S2014.12
12/14/2022
What's the link between "Pigeons at Sensoji" by Watanabe Seitei and "An Italian Impressionist in Paris: Giuseppe De Nittis" at The Phillips Collection?
Join us for this and other upcoming talks: https://s.si.edu/3fEgbnG
12/12/2022
Friends of NMAA receive members-only programming, first-access, discounts and other exclusive benefits.
Memberships make the perfect gift for Asian art lovers, or someone who has everything: https://s.si.edu/3EEtu1h
12/09/2022
Opening the Peacock Room Shutters
Usher in the holiday season with us!
With captivating hues of blue and gold, see the beauty of the Peacock Room in natural light when the shutters re-open Thursday, Dec. 15th: https://s.si.edu/3SFljWM
12/07/2022
Discover expert insights on a full spectrum of Asian art, culture, and history, as well as on American art and the history of the museums themselves. Browse, buy or download for free here: https://s.si.edu/3Eldi4X
12/06/2022
Chrysanthemums, Master of the I'nen Seal
EDUCATORS: Discover innovative approaches to teaching art, culture, biodiversity, history, and religions through the art of Japan’s Edo period (1603–1868).
Develop students’ social-emotional learning skills through interdisciplinary lesson plans designed on classroom-ready Google Slides. Learn more in tomorrow's virtual teacher workshop.
Register to attend live or receive the recording: https://s.si.edu/2DDCJ4Q
12/06/2022
Onsite Tours - Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art
On this dreary day, duck in to what Lonely Planet calls "a lovely spot in which to while away a Washington afternoon" this winter.
Stroll our galleries with FREE docent-led tours of some 45K+ objects in our permanent collection:
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 45,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a free, docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas. Public Tour Topics Permanent Collection Highlights Tour Seven days a week at 1:00 p.m.; me...
12/05/2022
Kids & Families - Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art
Art & Me is a free, hands-on series of online workshops for the whole family! For the holidays, make hanging scrolls, wearable art, soap sculptures and more.
Co-hosted by our friends at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery:
With free admission for all, the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery are perfect for a family outing. We offer resources designed with kids in mind that you can use in the galleries and online. Check out our family events calendar to find upcoming programs. Tips for Visiting t...
12/02/2022
Baisaō, Tomioka Tessai
What are literati-style mountings that became popular in the Meiji period?
Join our conservators for this and other upcoming "Sneak Peeks" at art conservation work: https://s.si.edu/3DE9uuP
Image:
Baisaō, Tomioka Tessai (1836–1924), Japan, Meiji era, ca. 1870, Hanging scroll; ink and light color on silk, The Mary and Cheney Cowles Collection, Gift of Mary and Cheney Cowles, Freer Gallery of Art, F2020.5.47a–d
11/30/2022
We’re feeling so grateful for our remarkable National Museum of Asian Art community!
So many generous people like you stepped up to donate during . Your support has an impact today—sharing knowledge and deepening understanding across cultures—and tomorrow—preserving history and art from around the world for the next generation.
Our deepest thanks to every one of you. https://s.si.edu/3VjD1Aj
11/29/2022
Only a few hours left in ! Do your part to foster empathy and understanding through the power of art.
Generous supporters like you have been responding to our call—are you ready to join them? https://s.si.edu/3ifmaQB
11/28/2022
Preparatory Drawing for a copper repousse seated image of the Bodhisattva Maitreya
What is the object YOU love?
Najiba Choudhury, Assistant Information Specialist & Provenance Researcher, loves this object, and says “The reason this object holds a special place for me is its own story of how it arrived at the museum. In 1997, Mary Slusser, who was then a research associate, went to visit the artist's family in Patan, Nepal.
“She noticed this drawing, which was stored on top of a cabinet in the family's home and workshop for many years. It is one of five drawings made by the artist which still survive. Slusser was able to convince the artist's family on the importance of preserving this drawing and donating it to the museum.
"She hand-carried it on the airplane from Nepal to Washington, D.C. When I see this drawing, I think of Mary Slusser and her lifelong pursuit to research, publish, and exhibit on Nepali art, and her tireless work to bring attention to the cultural heritage of Nepal.”
NMAA’s mission is to share the stories of Asian arts and cultures and their intersection with the world. Our programs and collections are catalysts for cultural exchange and deeper understanding. But this critical work is only possible thanks to the generosity of supporters like you.
Tomorrow is , a chance to join caring people around the world to support a cause you love. We’ve been issued a challenge to find 20 new supporters before midnight tomorrow. Are you ready to be a champion of cultural exchange and understanding? Give now: https://s.si.edu/3ElEKOq
Image: “Preparatory Drawing for a copper repoussé seated image of the Bodhisattva Maitreya” Kuber Singh Shakya (ca. 1881-1957), ca. 1950, Black ink, jewelers' rouge, red and black pencil on paper, H x W: 356 × 199 cm (140 3/16 × 78 3/8 in), Nepal / Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC: Gift of Rudra Raj Shakya and family in memory of his father Kuber Singh Shakya, S1998.1
11/27/2022
"Sexy Durga" Trailer
Journey across India with mind-bending thrillers, experimental road movies, breathtaking animations, documentaries and more!
Co-curated by film scholar Lalitha Gopalan and inspired by her book "Cinemas Dark and Slow in Digital India": https://s.si.edu/3Tz2R1T
"Sexy Durga" trailer courtesy of Sanal Kumar Sasidharan
11/26/2022
Meet Tessai, the Japanese Master Who Ushered in Modernism
"He dressed like an ancient monk but ushered in a new era in Japanese art."
Learn about our current exhibition "Meeting Tessai," via Smithsonian Magazine:
Excitement builds for a rare showing of works by the 19th-century painter whose dynamic colors and bold brushstrokes mirrored the avant-garde of the West
11/25/2022
These intricate, hand-made cloisonné ornaments with gold accents make great gifts or for hanging on your tree or windows. Shop early for shipping: https://bit.ly/3MwxItG
11/24/2022
Underdogs and Antiheroes Trailer
Expect the unexpected!
“Underdogs and Antiheroes: Japanese Prints from the Moskowitz Collection” focuses on the captivating stories and urban legends of individuals living on the fringes of society in early modern Japan.
Follow virtuous bandits, tattooed firemen, rogues from the kabuki theater—now open through January 29, 2023.
See it in person or online: https://s.si.edu/3bkImpo
11/23/2022
Peacock Gonna Peacock
Are you a turkey or a peacock? Take the challenge! https://s.si.edu/3XnPcha
11/22/2022
Would you enjoy getting lost in a treasure trove of catalogues, journals, and manuscripts on Asian or American art, history and culture?
Purchase in-print titles, peruse online-only research, or download free, out-of-print publications here: https://s.si.edu/3Eldi4X
11/18/2022
📣 Calling all teachers! Inviting you and your students on a VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP to the National Museum of Asian Art! This immersive activity engages students in art, history, cultures and makerspace over two 30 minute parts. With the holidays upon us, gifts and gift giving are top of mind! We partnered with to develop this program, as a fun engaging way for students to learn deeper through play, history and…gift giving!
🎁🎙️ Parents! Please help us amplify and share this gift of free programming with your child’s teacher!
➡️ Sign up for the live session on 12/6 or to stream after. Link in bio!
#education
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Videos
Edo Avant Garde Trailer
Educators, introduce your students to Japan’s Edo Period while connecting with the natural world. Join award-winning director and film producer Linda Hoaglund Dec. 7th for "Investigating Japan’s Edo Avant Garde," inspired by her film "Edo Avant Garde." Our upcoming image-driven, K-12 educational website features an innovative approach to teaching art, culture, biodiversity, history and religions by exploring Edo art. Register free to join live or stream, here: https://bit.ly/3NOedgY Trailer courtesy of Linda Hoaglund
Peacock Room Shutters Opening
Experience what visitors call "a spiritual and moving experience," as the Peacock Room shutters open Thursday, Nov. 17th. https://s.si.edu/3M7rzny
Poupelle of Chimney Town
THIS WEEKEND: We've teamed up with the Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan for an exciting anime series of films, including the award-winning, visually-dazzling "Poupelle of Chimney Town," the story of lonely Lubicchi who lives in a thick, smoky town, yearning for adventure. Bring the whole family--tickets are FREE: https://s.si.edu/3SYLrw3 Video courtesy of Eleven Arts
Witness 1979, Hengameh Golestan
Hengameh Golestan (born 1952, Tehran) captured these street protests in Tehran, Iran, focusing especially on women during and immediately following the Iranian Revolution in 1979. A documentary photographer, she is a pioneer among Iranian women photographers. She began photographing at age 18 and developed her skills alongside her husband, renowned photojournalist Kaveh Golestan. Denied the possibility of going to the front lines of the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980's, she turned to village life in Kurdistan. See more prints here: https://s.si.edu/3TiLwKC Images: Untitled, from the series, Witness 1979, Hengameh Golestan / Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC: Purchase -- Jahangir and Eleanor Amuzegar Endowment for Contemporary Iranian Art, S2015.17, S2015.18, S2015.22
Fortune (Dipalakshmi) Oil Lamps
Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, marks the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Its name is derived from the word deepavali, meaning “row of lamps.” Families eagerly welcome the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity. They light oil lamps at home and decorate their doorways with rangolis (patterned designs in different colors, made of rice, sand, minerals and other powdered materials). Celebrations also include bursting firecrackers, gifts of sweets and more. Here, an affluent couple commissioned their portraits in the form of oil lamps. In accordance with tradition, when placed near an image of a deity and lit, the lamps convey the enduring piety of this husband and wife. Wishing a Happy #Diwali to all--how will you be celebrating? Pair of fortune (dipalakshmi) oil lamps, India, Tamil Nadu, Nayak Dynasty, 17th century, Bronze, H x W x D (each): 86.4 x 27.9 x 27.9 cm. Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, S2000.9.1-2
Ornamented Tiles at the Seventh-century Buddhist Temple Mireuksa
A must-see for architecture buffs. This is your last chance to see elements of traditional Korean architecture never before exhibited outside the country, including three "chimi" unearthed from sites dating to the Three Kingdoms (Baekje) and Unified Silla periods. "Once Upon a Roof: Vanished Korean Architecture" is on view through October 30, 2022. https://s.si.edu/3yio1ZZ Thanks to the National Museum of Korea for sharing their research and facilitating this exhibition.
Opening the Peacock Room Shutters
Don't miss the beauty, detail and radiance only natural light can bring to Charles Lang Freer's ceramics collections, and James McNeill Whistler's decorative masterpiece. The Peacock Room shutters will re-open every 3rd Thursday, starting Oct. 20th: https://s.si.edu/3SWpwFf
Afterhours @ NMAA: Summer Festival
It's the end of summer. Did we see you at our Afterhours @ NMAA: Summer Festival? What was your favorite part?
#MadAboutHokusai: Young Man
Fashion is just one of the many ways we express ourselves and we've been doing it for generations. In #Edo-period Japan, the kimono worn by the figure in this painting was traditionally meant for young women. Listen as curator Frank Feltens explains how this artwork, one of the oldest by Hokusai in our collection, touches on ideas of gender fluidity and modernity. Get a closer look at one of this #InkPainting by Katsushika #Hokusai in our #JapaneseArt collection: https://asia.si.edu/object/F1903.130/ #SmithsonianAsianArt #SmithsonianPride
Fashioning An Empire: Safavid Carpets
Many of the artworks featured in #FashioningAnEmpire: Safavid Textiles from the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), are exemplary in their execution and were costly to create. But, the object featured in this final close look is one we might have an example of in our own homes! . Look and listen as Dr. Massumeh Farhad explains how Safavid weavers helped popularize Persian carpets, which became ubiquitous after they gained popularity in the 17th century. . The exhibition closes tomorrow, Sunday, May 15. Plan your visit or explore online: asia.si.edu/fashioninganempire . . . #SmithsonianAsianArt #SafavidIran #PersianCarpets #Weaving #Patterns #Textiles #Carpets
Fashioning An Empire: Silver Cloth
#FashionFriday: ✨🧵 Imagine receiving a gift of exquisite fabric in intricate patterns made of silver- and gold-wrapped threads! If you lived in 17th century Europe or Safavid Iran, it might have happened! . Learn more about these delicate and well-preserved textiles with Dr. Massumeh Farhad. They are currently on view in the exhibition #FashioningAnEmpire: Safavid Textiles from Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), closing this Sunday, May 15. . Be sure to visit the exhibition in person this weekend before it closes. If you can't make it, stay tuned for one more close look tomorrow, and explore the show online at asia.si.edu/fashioninganempire. . . . #SmithsonianAsianArt #Textiles #SafavidIran #Zari #Silk
Fashioning an Empire: To the Hunt
#Wingsday: If you're a fan of our ongoing "Falcons: The Art of the Hunt" exhibition, you might be surprised to learn these birds of prey are hiding in artworks throughout our galleries! . In #FashioningAnEmpire: Safavid Textiles from the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), there's a falcon in the hunting scene depicted on this extraordinary brocaded velvet. Learn more with Chief Curator Dr. Massumeh Farhad! . Be sure to visit the exhibition before it closes this Sunday, May 15: asia.si.edu/fashioninganempire. If you can't make it, stay tuned for more close looks at objects on view. . . . #SmithsonianAsianArt #Textiles #Brocade #Velvet #Hunting #Falconry #SafavidIran
We are @NatAsianArt
Our story as your National Museum of Asian Art began nearly a century ago. Starting today, you’ll find us at @NatAsianArt. Join us as we continue to celebrate the art, cultures, and experiences that shape who we are. #SmithsonianAsianArt
2021 Year in Review
2021 was a homecoming for us all. At long last, first-time visitors had the opportunity to discover our collections, and loyal museum supporters returned to enjoy the objects they most cherish. Now, with the entire museum open to the public, there is a new energy in the air. Opening our doors at exactly 10:00 a.m.—a daily ritual once taken for granted—has become a profound gesture of hope. Here’s a look back at 2021 in the museum and beyond. With your help, we can accomplish so much more in 2022. Give today and double your impact with a $1:$1 match! https://s.si.edu/3mAEP8V
Want to turn your love of museums into a career? We're hiring! Join our talented team and help advance our mission as we prepare for our next century. https://asia.si.edu/about/contact/staff/join-our-team/
Objects We Love: Seated Ganesha
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to our friends celebrating in India and Hindu communities around the world! 🐘 🕉 In honor of the festival this year, let’s take a closer look at a stone sculpture of the beloved elephant-headed god in our collections with help from one of our docents. Sushmita compares how she sees the object in the museum and how she and other people have experienced similar objects of significance in Hindu culture over the centuries until today. . “It is incredible how much I have learned about Ganesha in my 22 years of study and experience giving tours as a docent here at the museum. When I told my mom, who lives in Mumbai, about making this video, we were both surprised. Turns out she sings the Marathi “bhajan” (devotional song) I share in the video at her home shrine where Ganesha has always shared space with other deities, and I had no idea! And she didn’t know how the tradition of the present-day Ganesh Chaturthi celebration had started so that was new to her. It was a wonderful way we connected and both learned something new about this beloved deity! When I lived in Mumbai we always visited various celebrations happening all over the city—the festival is a joyous time."—Sushmita Mazumdar . Learn more about this artwork in our #SouthAsianAndHimalayanArt collection on the museum’s website: https://asia.si.edu/object/S1987.960/ . . . #Smithsonian #FreerSackler #AsianArt #IndianArt #HinduArt #Ganesha #GaneshChaturthi #HinduFestivals #Sculpture #Elephant #Vinayaka #ObjectsWeLove
Illuminasia Projection Mapping
Objects We Love: Box for Korean archaeological objects
Objects We Love: Preparatory Drawing of the Bodhisattva Maitreya
Objects We Love: Freer Beaker
Sakura On Screen: Part 3
Sakura On Screen: Part 2
Sakura On Screen: Part 1
Objects We Love: Kōetsu Utaibon
Objects We Love: Folding screens mounted with poems from the anthology, Shin kokinshu
Objects We Love: Royal Pen Case with Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar enthroned
Matsushima: Remembering the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
Objects We Love: Harvesting knife with mask and felines
Objects We Love: Round covered box with design of three flowers
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Nearby museums
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And Constitution Avenue NW
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Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwi
G Street NW -
21911
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National Museum of Women in the Arts
New York Avenue NW
Other Art Museums in Washington D.C.
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National Museum of Women in the Arts
New York Avenue NW -
21 Street Street NW
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Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwi
G Street NW -
American University Museum at the Katzen Arts
Massachusetts Avenue NW -
The George Washington University Museum and T
21 Street Street NW -
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
Linnean Avenue NW -
And Constitution Avenue NW
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Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program
Lenfant Plz SW -
Foxhall Road NW
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National Museum of African Art
Pennsylvania Avenue NW
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We're thrilled to announce a visionary gift that will support five paid graduate student annually over 5 years to prepare for various museum professions. The inaugural Cheng-Harrell Graduate Intern cohort will join our community later this year. https://s.si.edu/3IkUt0I
The National Museum of Asian Art will be open Thursdays-Sundays, 10 am-5:30 pm. We will be closed on Tuesday, January 18.
We are always open online at http://asia.si.edu.
https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/smithsonian-announces-modified-schedule-museums-and-national-zoo-starting-tuesday
We are always open online at http://asia.si.edu.
https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/smithsonian-announces-modified-schedule-museums-and-national-zoo-starting-tuesday
If you're planning to visit us this weekend, you'll be one of the first to see "Falcons: Art of the Hunt"! A selection of paintings and objects from ancient Egypt to China offers a glimpse into the fascinating world of falcons.
Learn a bit more and safely plan your visit: https://asia.si.edu/exhibition/falcons-art-of-the-hunt/
Learn a bit more and safely plan your visit: https://asia.si.edu/exhibition/falcons-art-of-the-hunt/
Our story as your National Museum of Asian Art began nearly a century ago. Starting today, you’ll find us at . Join us as we continue to celebrate the art, cultures, and experiences that shape who we are.
This weekend is your last opportunity to experience "Hokusai: Mad about Painting" in person! The exhibition closes Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Safely plan an in-person visit: asia.si.edu/visit.
Explore online anytime at asia.si.edu/hokusai.
Safely plan an in-person visit: asia.si.edu/visit.
Explore online anytime at asia.si.edu/hokusai.
By popular demand, our long-running exhibition "Encountering the Buddha: Art and Practice across Asia" has been extended! Enjoy this groundbreaking show of from our collections, in-person or online through February 6, 2022. https://asia.si.edu/exhibition/encountering-the-buddha-art-and-practice-across-asia/
The National Museum of Asian Art is scheduled to be open again on Saturday, Jan. 8. Visit us online anytime at asia.si.edu
Check the status of our fellow museums at si.edu/visit/hours
Check the status of our fellow museums at si.edu/visit/hours
Due to yesterday's snow, Smithsonian museums in the D.C. area will delay opening by 3 hours today, Jan. 4.
We're revisiting a weather and -appropriate installment of on this snowy day!
Watch and listen as Japan Foundation Assistant Curator Kit Brooks shares why they love this screen in our collection & offers insights on its layers of symbolism.
Watch and listen as Japan Foundation Assistant Curator Kit Brooks shares why they love this screen in our collection & offers insights on its layers of symbolism.
Due to inclement weather, all Smithsonian museums in the D.C. area are closed today, Jan. 3.