Smithsonian Snapshot CameraSmithsonian Snapshot

A peek into our collections, one object at a time
colorful stripes
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Alma Thomas Became a Nationally Recognized Painter after 38 Years Teaching Public School

In her 80s, she was the first African American woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Chauncey in a crowd
National Air and Space Museum

Chauncey Spencer, Aviator

Chauncey Spencer after a successful parachute jump at a Chicago air show. Spencer became one of Chicago’s most well-known barnstorming pilots.
bracelet in case
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Perfect for Valentine’s Day: Cupids and Jewelry

The bracelet is believed to have been made by the eminent French jeweler, Honoré-Séverin Bourdoncle, who counted Napoleon III among his clients.
Bessie on airplane
National Air and Space Museum

Bessie Coleman, First African American Licensed Pilot

Coleman received the first pilot’s license issued to an African American, male or female, from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale.
shooting stars
Smithsonian Libraries

When You Wish Upon a Shooting Star

The verso of Galileo’s drawings of the Pleiades star cluster, makes an exceptional background for our shooting stars.
photograph of snowflake crystal
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Snowflake Study

Snowflake study through photomicrography, 1890.
Photo of three kings stauettes
National Museum of American History

Three Kings Day

Happy Three Kings Day!
Cantos de Las Posadas album cover
Smithsonian Folkways

Las Posadas

Las Posadas is a meaningful Christmas tradition in Spain and many Latin American countries.
Poster advertising play "Okay, Bye"
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Crazy Legs

This poster for the play Okay, Bye communicates a visual riddle.
Green silk costume from musical "Hamilton"
National Museum of American History

Hamilton Costume

Broadway’s Hamilton costume tells story of philanthropy.
Black and white photo of two owls
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Increase and Diffusion

Owls with a mission: Increase and Diffusion.
Animated drawings of pumpkins
Smithsonian Libraries

Pumpkin Palooza

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Halloween became a popular national holiday in the U.S., and crepe paper was commonly used for decorating.
Sketch of building on Plaza Hotel stationery
Freer Gallery of Art

A First Draft

Freer's ideas for a classical, well-proportioned building on a piece of hotel stationery.
Mummified cat sarcophagus
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

Mummy Cat

Cats played an important role in ancient Egyptian culture.
image showing mouth with vampire teeth
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

Buddha With Bite

Meditating on Heruka’s image enables practitioners to destroy all mental obstacles to enlightenment.
Singer Selena with bottle of Coke
National Museum of American History

Selena Coke Ad

Hispanic advertising history includes Selena as spokesperson for Coca-Cola.
drawing of narwhals
Smithsonian Libraries

The Unicorns of the Sea: Narwhals

Not only are they real, narwhals are central to the Inuit people native to Greenland, Alaska, and Canada.
carved wooden dog with a black head, white body, and wings.
Smithsonian Snapshot

If Dogs Could Fly

The dog days of summer would be a bit cooler for puppies if they could be unleashed to fly around the neighborhood.
old snapshot of Cantinflas with colleagues
Archives of American Art

Cantinflas: The Charlie Chaplin of Mexico

Mario Moreno, professionally known as Cantinflas, was an iconic Mexican film actor, producer and writer.
Painting of dancers
National Museum of African Art

Milky Way Myth

Among the hunter-gatherers of sub-Saharan Africa known as the Khoisan, a myth has been passed on for generations.
Pencil drawing of one soldier carrying another

Artist Soldiers

Artists depict the realities of war.
Pop art poster for The Who

1967 and the Summer of Love

Psychedelic posters capture the essence of an era.
celia cruz in yellow tango dress
National Portrait Gallery

Celia Cruz

¡Azúcar! Remembering the Queen of Salsa.
Georgia O'Keefe grooming her dogs

Georgia O’Keeffe at Home

In 1966, Life magazine sent photographer John Loengard to document a day in the life of artist Georgia O’Keeffe.

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