Floor plan

Time and placeThe 20th century

The 20th century

This is a painting of stylized figures within an ornate frame. The artwork features two central figures that are reminiscent of a traditional religious iconography but rendered in a simplified and almost cartoonish form. The larger figure is draped in blue with red accents, while a smaller figure is held in one hand, enrobed in red. The background is decorated with a variety of patterns including an arch-like structure with wavy designs and lines, all outlining the central figures. The outer sections feature floral patterns with bold, contrasting colors of red, black, and teal. The use of thick outlines and vivid colors suggests a playful and decorative approach to the portrayal of the figures, drawing inspiration possibly from folk art traditions.
This is a painting of an intricate and colorful illuminated manuscript page. The full-description includes a richly decorated page featuring elaborate calligraphy and floral motifs. The left side showcases swirling ornamental patterns with vibrant colors - blues, reds, and golds - interwoven with blooming flowers and a small figure with wings. In the lower portion, there is a depiction of small buildings. The right side contains text in different styles, with the top section written in large decorative letters and the lower section in a more detailed script. The overall design is bordered with floral elements and intertwining vines. This is in the style of illuminated manuscripts found in historical European documents and books.
This painting shows a large jug filled with orange flowers on a woven brown surface, with three small oranges placed in front of it. The bottom half of the jug is a brownish-red color, while the top part and handles are a light tan. The jug is centered, with flowers extending slightly to the sides. The flowers in the vase are surrounded by dark green leaves and buds. The wall behind the vase is a light gray color, and the vase casts a light shadow on it.
William Merritt Chase

The works in this room are listed below.

Works in this room

Works made in the 20th century, anywhere in the world.

Section 1, north wall

  1. This is a painting of stylized figures within an ornate frame. The artwork features two central figures that are reminiscent of a traditional religious iconography but rendered in a simplified and almost cartoonish form. The larger figure is draped in blue with red accents, while a smaller figure is held in one hand, enrobed in red. The background is decorated with a variety of patterns including an arch-like structure with wavy designs and lines, all outlining the central figures. The outer sections feature floral patterns with bold, contrasting colors of red, black, and teal. The use of thick outlines and vivid colors suggests a playful and decorative approach to the portrayal of the figures, drawing inspiration possibly from folk art traditions.
    St. JosephE. Boyd, 1936Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. This is a painting of an intricate and colorful illuminated manuscript page. The full-description includes a richly decorated page featuring elaborate calligraphy and floral motifs. The left side showcases swirling ornamental patterns with vibrant colors - blues, reds, and golds - interwoven with blooming flowers and a small figure with wings. In the lower portion, there is a depiction of small buildings. The right side contains text in different styles, with the top section written in large decorative letters and the lower section in a more detailed script. The overall design is bordered with floral elements and intertwining vines. This is in the style of illuminated manuscripts found in historical European documents and books.
    FrakturAlbert Levone, 1935/1942Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 1, south wall

  1. This painting shows a large jug filled with orange flowers on a woven brown surface, with three small oranges placed in front of it. The bottom half of the jug is a brownish-red color, while the top part and handles are a light tan. The jug is centered, with flowers extending slightly to the sides. The flowers in the vase are surrounded by dark green leaves and buds. The wall behind the vase is a light gray color, and the vase casts a light shadow on it.
    Marigolds and TangerinesFélix Vallotton, 1924Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. William Merritt Chase
    Good FriendsWilliam Merritt Chase, (c. 1909)Courtesy of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution

Section 2, south wall

  1. The image depicts a large, round, domed container with a handle on its side. It has a textured and layered appearance with a central band. The color palette consists of various shades of brown and some orange tones. The container is centered in the image with the handle facing towards the viewer. The name "Janetta Badanes" is visible near the bottom right of the image.
    Copper Baptismal FontJuanita Donahoo, c. 1941Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. The image shows an antique double kerosene lamp with ornate glass chimneys set atop a horizontal cylindrical base with a central vertical support ending in a circular handle. The base and lamp parts have a bronze-like color with a textured appearance, and the glass chimneys are primarily clear but show hints of colorful reflections. Positioned centrally in the image, the lamp stands upright with the two chimneys equally spaced on either side of the vertical support, which is topped by a circular loop handle, while the signature "J. Cannella" is visible towards the lower right side of the image.
    Reading LampJoseph Cannella, 1941Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. The image displays a full-body illustration of a person standing upright. They have a delicate and round face with rosy cheeks and small, pink lips. Their eyes are large and expressive, and they have light-colored hair peeking out from under a bonnet. The person's attire consists of a long, dark skirt and a light-colored shawl draped over their shoulders. They wear a hooded cloak tied with a bow at the neck, and hold a small bag in their left hand. The background is plain with a light-colored texture. The artwork is a painted illustration with visible fine lines and shading to enhance details of the clothing and facial features.
    Quaker DollBertha Semple, 1935/1942Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 2, north wall

  1. The image shows a large, copper-colored pitcher with a hammered texture and a curving handle on the right side. The color palette consists of muted, warm tones of copper and brown against a pale beige background. The pitcher is centrally placed in the image, with its handle positioned on the right side.
    Copper CruetEdward Jewett, 1937Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. The image shows a painted decoy of a bird mounted on a wooden stake. The decoy has intricate details with spots of yellow and green on top of a dark body. The colors are naturalistic with brown, black, yellow, white, and beige. In the lower left section of the image, there are two line drawings of a bird.
    Snipe DecoyLawrence Flynn, 1941Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 3, north wall

  1. After the Bath, by Mary Cassatt, 1901
    After the BathMary Cassatt, 1901Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  2. The sculpture depicts a young boy dressed in a bright red coat, blue shirt, and blue pants, with black shoes. He is wearing a black hat with a red rim and has curly hair. The boy is balanced on one foot atop a red ball, with one leg lifted behind him and one hand held high above his head. The sculpture is made of painted, cast metal with intricate designs and textures. The boy stands on an ornately decorated dark pedestal.
    Toy BankPearl Torell, c. 1939Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 3, south wall

  1. Church, Rancho de Taos, by Selden Connor Gile, 1931
    Church, Rancho de TaosSelden Connor Gile, 1931Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
  2. The image shows two large quilt blocks with a matching design, side by side. Each block consists of red and beige fabric with quilted stitching creating a textured appearance. The color palette includes primarily red, beige, and dark stitching outlining the patterns. The quilt blocks are placed centrally on a light-colored surface.
    Patchwork QuiltPaul Ward, c. 1936Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. The image shows two foot stools. One is a round stool with four legs and the other is a small two-step wooden staircase. The color palette includes shades of brown and tan against a light beige background. The round stool is positioned to the left, and the step-stool is to the right. Both are labeled with the words "Foot Stools" below them.
    Shaker StoolsLawrence Foster, 1935/1942Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 4, south wall

  1. This is a painting of a decorative quilt pattern. The image shows a grid of square sections with various colorful motifs including stars, flowers, a horse, a house, and a cup. The design features vibrant colors, symmetrical patterns, and a central section with the date "1859". The quilt border has leaf-like patterns creating a frame around the central grid. The style is folk art.
    Applique QuiltSuzanne Roy, 1938Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. The image depicts a person standing upright. They are wearing a dark green dress with long sleeves and a floor-length skirt. Over the dress, there is a white fabric wrapped around their shoulders. The person is holding a closed umbrella in their right hand. Their face is dark with distinguishable eyes and a nose, but specific facial features are not detailed. The person's hair is covered by a colorful headscarf with shades of blue, pink, and yellow. They are wearing large earrings, possibly pink or red. The background is plain and light with no additional objects present.
    Doll--"Hannah Hitch"Edith Towner, c. 1940Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington