National Gallery of Art Acquires 190 Works Including Wifredo Lam and Christina Quarles
The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, has expanded its collection by approximately 190 artworks since March, featuring pieces from various cultures and eras. Noteworthy additions include a 17th-century crucifix by María Josefa Sánchez and the gallery's inaugural painting by Ben Shahn. The 1944 piece L'esprit veillant by Wifredo Lam is also included, along with striking photographs by Lillian Bassman and Paul Himmel. The collection highlights emerging artists such as Marie Bracquemond and LaToya Hobbs, enhancing representation of Latin American art through works by contemporary creators. NGA director Kaywin Feldman affirmed the institution's dedication to artistic quality.
Key facts
- The National Gallery of Art acquired approximately 190 works since March 2026.
- New acquisitions include works by María Josefa Sánchez, T.C. Cannon, Ben Shahn, Wifredo Lam, Lillian Bassman, and Paul Himmel.
- The NGA added its first works by Marie Bracquemond, LaToya Hobbs, Stacy Kranitz, Lorraine O'Grady, Lehuauakea, Jordan Ann Craig, and Christina Quarles.
- Christina Quarles's painting Turn Around, Don't (2024) survived the Los Angeles wildfires that destroyed her home.
- The museum also acquired more than 1,200 photographs by Mitch Epstein.
- The acquisitions greatly expand the NGA's Latin American holdings, including a 17th-century Mexican batea and an 18th-century work by Tomás de Merlo.
- Wifredo Lam's L'esprit veillant (1944) celebrates Black spiritual culture across the Americas, Caribbean, and Europe.
- NGA director Kaywin Feldman and chief curatorial officer E. Carmen Ramos both issued statements about the acquisitions.
- The NGA announced the acquisition of an important Artemisia Gentileschi painting, but details remain undisclosed.
Entities
Artists
- María Josefa Sánchez
- T.C. Cannon
- Ben Shahn
- Wifredo Lam
- Lillian Bassman
- Paul Himmel
- Marie Bracquemond
- LaToya Hobbs
- Stacy Kranitz
- Lorraine O'Grady
- Lehuauakea
- Jordan Ann Craig
- Christina Quarles
- Mitch Epstein
- Artemisia Gentileschi
- Tomás de Merlo
- María Elena González
- Ángel Rodríguez-Díaz
- David Antonio Cruz
- Verónica Vides
- Walterio Iraheta
- Beatriz Cortez
- Simón Vega
- Kaywin Feldman
- E. Carmen Ramos
Institutions
- National Gallery of Art
Locations
- Washington, DC
- United States
- Spain
- Mexico
- Guatemala
- El Salvador
- Los Angeles
- Altadena
- Europe
- Caribbean
- Americas
- Latin America