The annual exhibition “Recent Acquisitions” displays the latest portraits to enter into the museum’s renowned collection. Figures who have made lasting contributions in such areas as medicine, music, literature, art and social justice are represented in paintings, sculpture, prints, drawings, photographs and new media.

These most-recent acquisitions join more than 22,000 others in the Portrait Gallery’s collection to represent the numerous individuals who have made a significant impact on the history and culture of the United States. Subjects include the lawyer Francis Scott Key who penned the lyrics for the “Star-Spangled Banner”; former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright; actress Gertrude Jeannette; university president Norman Francis; photographer Harry Callahan; fashion designer Ralph Lauren; and multi-award-winning actress Rita Moreno.

In total, the exhibition features 27 objects that tell the story of this nation through the art of portraiture.