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Home>Research>Library>Library Exhibitions>Past>2001-2005>What Is a Portrait?

# 

# What Is a Portrait?

May 3–June 25, 2004East Building, Ground Floor, Study Center

**This exhibition is no longer on view at the National Gallery of Art.**

Original exhibition poster(click to enlarge)

**Overview:** Whether used to commemorate the deceased, project an image of power, or bring to life a figure from history, portraits are more than mere depiction. Using portraits found in books, this exhibition explored the relationship between artist and sitter and a few of the ways that portraits are used to document lives, tell stories, and make propaganda.

**Organization:** The exhibition was organized by the National Gallery of Art. Jacob Lewis, library intern, was curator. 

Original exhibition poster

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