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Generous Friends: Building an Art Collection for the National Air and Space Museum
Visitors to the National Air and Space Museum expect to find a collection of air and space craft in which men and women have written history in the sky. They may be surprised to discover that the museum also maintains one of the world's great collections of art documenting and interpreting the past, present and future of flight. The collection includes over 4250 objects -- paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, ceramic and textile items pieces of jewelry and other works of art. The artists represented range from those who specialize in aerospace themes to some of the most familiar names in 20th century American art, including Howard Chandler Christy, Norman Rockwell, Jamie Wyeth, Robert Rauschenberg and Alexander Calder.
The National Air and Space Museum rarely purchases items for display. Some of the art objects in our collection were commissioned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Others were winners in one of two art competitions sponsored by the museum. For the most part, however, the National Air and Space Museum art collection has grown as a result of gifts from generous friends and supporters of the museum -- individuals, corporations, and artists. We dedicate this exhibition re-opening the National Air and Space Museum art gallery to those individuals and organizations who have provided the museum, and the nation, with a gift of art that communicates something of the excitement of flight, and offers a unique perspective on the people and events of the aerospace age.
Seen here are a few of the many pieces of artwork from the National Air and Space Museum art collection.
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"Escape Tower" by Robert T. McCall, watercolor and felt-tip pen on paper. Transferred from NASA.
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"Rural Sports, Balloon Hunting" by Thomas Rowlandson, hand-colored engraving on paper. Gift of Harry F. Guggenheim.
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"Kiawah Island, S.C." by Mary Edna Fraser, fabric/textile, 1985. Gift of the artist.
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"Junkers W-34, 1930" by Peter Lautenslager, acrylic on canvas, 1984. Gift of the artist.
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