These themes are especially useful for Language Arts educators, who are looking to use an artwork to address a literary theme. Click on a theme to discover the related artworks that …

The profound environmental concerns of our day reflect a growing acceptance of the artist-conservationist view of the sacredness of the land. Click on an artwork to learn more about …

The collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum demonstrates this far-reaching theme in many of its artworks. From the earliest artwork in this theme (Young Moravian Girl, 1755-60) to …

In each of the following artworks we will explore how artists responded to these themes of conflict and adversity in their artwork. Click on an artwork to learn more about how that artwork …

The following artworks all delve into the theme of identity, either as an individual or as a group. These American artists have the ability to use their work to explore, convey, and question …

Click on an artwork to learn more about how that artwork connects to the theme of Industry, Invention, and Progress. 19th Century – Steamboats, Canals, Railroads, Mining

The commemoration of George Washington and the Minute Man in a previously underused artistic medium, sculpted bronze, ensured a permanent, lasting legacy. The country was thrown into …

Studying both the time period and the artwork together enables us to illuminate both, expanding the context of our knowledge of that time period. Click on an Historical Era to discover the …

Click on an artwork to learn more about how that artwork connects to the theme of Freedom and Social Change. 19th Century – American Indians and African Americans

The American Experience in the Classroom is a resource that features artworks from the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection that bring to life selected key moments in our …