A Nation of Artists: US History Through Visual Culture at PAFA and PMA
Over 1,000 works from the late 18th century to today are on view across two Philadelphia institutions for the US 250th anniversary. The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) organizes thematically around westward expansion, industry, and globalization, while the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA), celebrating its 150th anniversary, presents a chronological survey from 1700 to 1960. The exhibition includes more than 120 rarely seen pieces from the Middleton Family Collection, one of the country's largest private holdings of American art. John S. Middleton stated the show is designed for everyone, no prior art knowledge required. PMA's run ends July 5, 2027; PAFA's continues until September 5, 2027.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'A Nation of Artists' runs simultaneously at PAFA and PMA.
- PAFA takes a thematic approach; PMA a chronological one.
- Over 1,000 works including paintings, photographs, sculptures, and decorative arts.
- More than 120 works from the Middleton Family Collection are on view.
- PMA is celebrating its 150th anniversary.
- Exhibition marks the US 250th anniversary in 2026.
- PMA exhibition runs April 12, 2026 to July 5, 2027.
- PAFA exhibition runs April 12, 2026 to September 5, 2027.
Entities
Artists
- Edward Hopper
- Charles Willson Peale
- Raphaelle Peale
- Titian Ramsay Peale I
- John Singer Sargent
- Daniel Garber
- Childe Hassam
- William Ernst Hentschel
- Severin Roesen
- John Wallace
- Georgia O'Keeffe
- Stuart Davis
- John S. Middleton
Institutions
- Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Middleton Family Collection
- My Modern Met
Locations
- Philadelphia
- United States
- Pennsylvania
- 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130
- 118-128 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102