ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Mattatuck Museum's 'About Face' Explores 250 Years of American Portraiture

exhibition · 2026-05-25

The Mattatuck Museum in Connecticut is showcasing an exhibition titled 'About Face: 250 Years of American Portraits,' exploring the progression of portrait art over the past two and a half centuries. Featuring iconic artists including Dawoud Bey, Romare Bearden, and Louise Bourgeois, the exhibition examines the impact of portraiture on American identity, contrasting traditional representations of power with works that amplify underrepresented narratives. Visitors can participate in engaging activities, such as a portrait station and a community response wall. This exhibition is open to the public until August 16, 2026.

Key facts

  • Exhibition titled 'About Face: 250 Years of American Portraits'
  • On view at Mattatuck Museum in Connecticut
  • Runs until 16 August 2026
  • Spans 250 years of American portraiture
  • Includes paintings, drawings, sculpture, and photography
  • Features artists: Dawoud Bey, Romare Bearden, Lois Mailou Jones, Walker Evans, Louise Bourgeois, Nicholas Galanin, Robert Rauschenberg, James Van Der Zee, Boluwatife Oyediran
  • Includes interactive elements: participatory portrait station and community response wall
  • Examines themes of citizenship, race, gender, power, and self-representation

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Mattatuck Museum

Locations

  • Connecticut
  • United States
  • Waterbury

Sources