Treasures from the National Academy of Design

Works from the National Academy of Design, alongside pieces from The Westmoreland’s collection by National Academicians, offer a unique narrative of American art from the 1800s to today. The exhibition includes portraits, as well as other works by the artists, from both the Academy and the Museum’s collection. Since its founding in 1825, each elected National Academician has donated a work to the collection, including portraits of members—either self-painted or created by fellow artists. These “diploma works” and “diploma portraits” are central to the Academy’s holdings and provide insight into the evolution of American art.