Addison Gallery Marks 250th Anniversary of Declaration of Independence with 'America in the Making'

The Addison Gallery of American Art is showcasing 'America in the Making', an exhibition that examines the development of American art from colonial times to today. Coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the exhibition spans the entire building and features a chronological display sourced from the museum's permanent collection. It highlights how art has mirrored societal changes, beginning with early portraits that depicted emerging social hierarchies and national identity, moving to 19th-century landscape paintings that celebrated nature while endorsing Manifest Destiny and American exceptionalism. As the nation evolved, artists began to embrace abstraction and the subconscious by mid-century, reflecting themes of individualism and dissent. The Addison acknowledges that the collection is not exhaustive or impartial, with its strengths and gaps revealing the context, values, and assumptions behind its curation. Consequently, the exhibition presents a portrait of a collection that is perpetually 'in the making.' For further details, visit addison.andover.edu.