Whom You Know: "'Something of Splendor': Decorative Arts from the White House" Opens at the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Renwick Gallery Oct. 1 Rare Look at Objects in the White House Collection

Thursday, July 14, 2011

"'Something of Splendor': Decorative Arts from the White House" Opens at the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Renwick Gallery Oct. 1 Rare Look at Objects in the White House Collection

"'Something of Splendor': Decorative Arts from the White House" opens Oct. 1 at the Renwick Gallery, the Smithsonian American Art Museum's branch museum for craft and decorative arts, and closes May 6, 2012. The exhibition features 93 objects from the permanent collection of the White House, including furniture, ceramics, metals, glass and textiles. Many of these objects were made by the most celebrated craftsmen of their time and some have never been seen outside of the White House.William G. Allman, curator of the White House, and Melissa C. Naulin, assistant curator of the White House, selected the works included in the exhibition.

The exhibition, organized in honor of the 50th anniversary of the White House Historical Association, allows visitors to explore the history of the decorative arts in the nation's foremost home. The exhibition and its related publication will include archival images of the interiors to help the visitor envision life in the President's official residence. Objects in the exhibition range from a box lined with wallpaper used in the White House prior to its burning in 1814 to a gilded Herter Brothers armchair from 1875 to a coverlet embroidered by First Lady Grace Coolidge between 1925 and 1927 to a service plate from the 1982 Reagan state china.

"Each artwork in 'Something of Splendor' has a rich story to tell, and White House curators William Allman and Melissa Naulin are gifted tellers of these stories," said Elizabeth Broun, The Margaret and Terry Stent Director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. "Through their eyes and the lens of history, we see these rare objects as touchstones of our democracy. We cannot know the presidents and first ladies who are gone, but through the objects they chose to live with, we can understand something of their dreams for the nation."

"The White House is often called the 'People's House' and it has been our pleasure and privilege this past half century to bring to the people of America and nations across the world a better understanding of its rich history," said Neil W. Horstman, president of the White House Historical Association.

"The White House embodies the story of how the presidents and their families live, work and entertain within its historic walls and among its historic furnishings," said Allman. "Noted artist and inventor Samuel Morse commented in 1819 that the President's House should be furnished with 'something of splendor... for the credit of the nation.' We hope this exhibition imparts some of the rich history of the decorative arts of the White House."

About the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum

The Smithsonian American Art Museum celebrates the vision and creativity of Americans with artworks in all media spanning more than three centuries. The Renwick Gallery, a branch of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, features one of the finest collections of American craft in the United States. Its collections, exhibition program and publications highlight the best craft objects and decorative arts from the 19th century to the present. The Renwick Gallery, located on Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street N.W., is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except Dec. 25. Admission is free. Museum information (recorded): (202) 633-7970. Smithsonian information: (202) 633-1000; (202) 633-5285 (TTY). Website: americanart.si.edu.

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