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Long couch upholstered in a gold fabric on a wooden frame with golden accents and curved edges.

Masterpieces of American Furniture from the Kaufman Collection, 1700–1830

Now on View

Ongoing
West Building Ground Floor

One of the largest and most refined collections of early American furniture in private hands—acquired over the course of five decades by George M. and Linda H. Kaufman—was promised to the National Gallery of Art in October 2010. A new installation on the Ground Floor of the West Building highlights nearly 100 examples of early American furniture and decorative arts from this distinguished collection, including French floral watercolors by Pierre Joseph Redouté and American, Chinese, and French porcelains.

In addition, the installation will include paintings by celebrated American artists in the Gallery's collection such as Gilbert Stuart. The Kaufman gift dramatically complements the National Gallery's fine holdings of European decorative arts with equally important American works of art.

Exhibition Brochure

A Look Inside

Masterpieces of American Furniture from the Kaufman Collection, 1700–1830 offers visitors to the nation’s capital an unprecedented opportunity to view some of the finest furniture made by colonial and post-revolutionary American artisans. 

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Audio

Four Centuries of American Chairs

Oscar Fitzgerald, adjunct professor of decorative arts and design history, Corcoran School of Art and Design, George Washington University, traces the evolution of furniture styles from the 17th to the 20th century. Fitzgerald discusses 17th-century mannerism; baroque, rococo, and neoclassical styles of the 18th century; the Victorian reaction to classical design in the 19th century; and 20th-century modernism, with its rejection and then rediscovery of ornament.

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Organization
Organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington

Passes
Admission is always free and passes are not required.

Banner detail: Grecian Couch, attributed to John Finlay (1777–1851) and Hugh Finlay (1781–1831), Baltimore, 1810–1830, walnut and cherry; paint; gold leaf, promised gift of George M. and Linda H. Kaufman