1. NEW EXHIBITION FEATURE: LUIS MELENDEZ: MASTER OF THE SPANISH STILL LIFE
Luis Melendez is now recognized as the premier still-life painter in 18th-century Spain, indeed one of the greatest in all of Europe, though his reputation had long been eclipsed by the achievements of his Spanish contemporary, Francisco Goya. Our new Web feature highlights more than 30 paintings that showcase the master's virtuoso talent for rendering everyday objects with exacting detail, marvelous effects of color and light, and subtle variations of texture.
http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/2009/melendez/index.htm (Web feature)
http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/melendezinfo.htm (exhibition information)
http://shop.nga.gov/nga/category.cgi?item=410000318546 (purchase the exhibition catalogue)
http://shop.nga.gov/nga/category.cgi?item=410000314357 (Flavors of Spain Recipe Note Card Set)
2. THIS MONTH'S FEATURED WORK OF ART FROM THE COLLECTION: THE NEEDLEWOMAN BY DIEGO VELAZQUEZ
Diego Velazquez ranks among the greatest masters of 17th-century Europe. His observation of the optical effects of light led him to abandon extreme contrasts of dark and light in favor of a softer style, using translucent shadows to sculpt form, as seen in The Needlewoman. Because this painting remains unfinished, the steps in the artist's process are visible. On view in the West Building, Main Floor, Gallery 34.
http://www.nga.gov/fcgi-bin/tinfo_f?object=88 (The Needlewoman)
http://www.nga.gov/cgi-bin/tbio?tperson=1950 (biography)
http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/gg30/gg30-main1.html (online tour: Spanish painting in the 17th century)
3. AUDIO PODCAST SERIES: PICASSO AND TRUTH
Centered on a group of Picasso's paintings from the 1920s, including Three Dancers, Painter and Model, and Guitar and Mandolin on a Table, a series of six lectures by renowned art historian and professor T. J. Clark traces the artist's path to Guernica. Each audio podcast episode is a lecture from the series Picasso and Truth, originally delivered at the National Gallery for the 58th A. W. Mellon Lectures in the Fine Arts.
http://www.nga.gov/podcasts/index.htm#audio
4. NEW EXHIBITION: EDOUARD MANET'S RAGPICKER
The Norton Simon Museum and the National Gallery of Art have recently entered into a long-term arrangement whereby selected masterpieces from each collection will be lent to the other institution to hang temporarily with its permanent collection. The Norton Simon's Ragpicker and the National Gallery's Old Musician
http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/ragpickerinfo.htm
5. INTERACTIVE SCULPTURE GALLERIES MAP
The new sculpture galleries present more than 900 works of art. In addition to masterpieces from the Middle Ages through the early 20th century, the galleries feature decorative arts of the Renaissance and 18th-century France, major collections of Italian Renaissance medals and plaquettes, and Chinese porcelains. Explore the 10 "zones" of the Sculpture Galleries in our new interactive map. Roll your cursor over the rooms to get a description of each zone (divided by period, region, and medium) and of a few highlighted works from that section.
http://www.nga.gov/collection/sculpture/flash/index.htm
6. NEW WEB SLIDESHOW: RECENT ACQUISITIONS: THE GREGA AND LEO A. DALY III FUND FOR ARCHITECTURAL BOOKS
After more than a century dominated by baroque architecture, architects and designers of the 18th and 19th centuries began to look to the past for new inspiration. The twin movements of the Gothic revival and Greek revival emerged in northern Europe and were quickly exported to the Americas and Australia. Our new Web slideshow features library exhibition objects: architectural surveys, guides, pattern books, and proposed designs for buildings and houses that illustrate how these movements evolved and how their histories intertwine.
http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/2009/daly/index.shtm (Web slideshow)
http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/dalyinfo.shtm (exhibition information)
http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/2009/daly/dalybrochure.pdf (brochure)
7. GARDEN CAFE ESPANA
In honor of the exhibitions Luis Melendez: Master of the Spanish Still Life and The Art of Power: Royal Armor and Portraits from Imperial Spain, the Garden Cafe is serving a menu of signature Spanish dishes created by award-winning chef Jose Andres. Preview the buffet and a la carte menus of Garden Cafe Espana online, or download Andres' recipes for Algeciras-style gazpacho, "Spanish flan in my mother's style," and meatballs with plums.
http://www.nga.gov/ginfo/cafes.shtm#garden (Garden Cafe Espana)
http://shop.nga.gov/nga/category.cgi?item=410000314357 (Flavors of Spain Recipe Note Card Set)
http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/melendezinfo.htm (Luis Melendez: Master of the Spanish Still Life)
http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/armorinfo.htm (The Art of Power: Royal Armor and Portraits from Imperial Spain)
8. NGA ONLINE SHOP: KIDS' BOOKS
Delight your young reader with an assortment of books that inspire creativity and learning. Our selection includes everything from how-to books about crafting recycled materials into picture frames and shadow boxes (Make It!) to scavenger hunt pop-up books (600 Black Spots)—perfect for the young and young at heart.
http://shop.nga.gov/nga/category.cgi?category=kids-kids_books
9. TEEN VOLUNTEER PROGRAM APPLICATIONS
The Department of Teacher, School, and Family Programs is recruiting local high school student volunteers for the fall term (September through December). Student volunteers assist with clerical and administrative tasks that support education programs. Candidates must be rising juniors or seniors with a mature, positive attitude and a strong work ethic. Service hours will be documented and may be submitted for school-based community service credits. Applications are available online, and further inquiries may be directed to intern@nga.gov.
http://www.nga.gov/programs/teens/index.htm#volunteer
10. NATIONAL LENDING SERVICE
The National Lending Service was established to make the collections of the National Gallery of Art accessible to museums throughout the United States. This is accomplished through extended loans of individual objects for display with qualifying museums' permanent collections. Learn more about how to borrow and borrowers' obligations on our Web site.
http://www.nga.gov/resources/nls.shtm
11. JUNE CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Plan your visit to the Gallery with the help of the June Calendar of Events. Schedules of films, lectures, gallery talks, family activities, and concerts provide details about each event. Please check back often for the most up-to-date information, as new events are regularly added.
www.nga.gov/programs/calendar
TODAY IN GALLERY HISTORY
In addition to our timeline of Gallery history, "Today in Gallery History," a changing daily posting, features a notable Gallery event from the last 80 years.
June 1
On June 1, 1978, the East Building of the National Gallery of Art was dedicated in daytime ceremonies. After an invocation by the Reverend John T. Walker, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC, trustee Paul Mellon presented the building to the nation. United States president Jimmy Carter formally accepted the gift.
PLAN A VISIT / GENERAL INFORMATION
http://www.nga.gov/ginfo/index.htm
This page provides links to the Gallery's hours and location, Calendar of Events, restaurant hours, accessibility information, Gallery history, and news releases.
The National Gallery of Art, located on the National Mall between 3rd and 9th Streets and along Constitution Avenue NW, is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Gallery is closed on December 25 and January 1.
Admission is free. For general information, call (202) 737-4215 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (202) 842-6176.
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SUPPORT THE GALLERY
Learn how you can become involved in supporting the vital activities of the National Gallery of Art.
http://www.nga.gov/support/index.htm
ONLINE SHOP
Browse a selection of Gallery books, DVDs, CDs, gifts, accessories, holiday cards and ornaments, kids' artist supplies and games, reproductions, stationery, and more from our online shop.
http://shop.nga.gov/
CONTACT US
If you would like to contact us, please submit our Web feedback form at http://www.nga.gov/feedback/webfeedback.htm.
VOLUNTEER AT THE GALLERY
Volunteers make significant contributions to the many programs and public services offered by the National Gallery of Art. Potential volunteers should contact the departments in which they would like to offer assistance.
http://www.nga.gov/education/volunteer.htm
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