American Icon: The US Flag in Art
Held at the National Gallery of Art from June 6 to December 6, 2026, *American Icon: The US Flag in Art* traces the ever‑changing symbolism of the Stars and Stripes through roughly 30 works dating from the late 1800s to the present day. The installation explores how the flag has inspired pride, protest, and artistic expression across generations, reflecting a nation in constant redefinition. Paintings, prints, and photographs by prominent artists—including Jasper Johns, Gordon Parks, Childe Hassam, Dorothea Lange, and Faith Ringgold—show how the flag’s meaning has evolved from battlefields to modern cultural movements. The exhibition is curated by Kanitra Fletcher, associate curator of African American and Afro‑Diasporic Art at the National Gallery, and is organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Venue: National Gallery of Art, East Building — Exhibition Lobby (East Bldg) and Concourse Gallery Lobby, 6th and Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20565
When: June 6 – December 6, 2026. Museum hours: daily 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (the adjacent Sculpture Garden is open late until 8:00 p.m. on select nights through September 5)
Admission: Free; passes are not required
Featured Artists and Selected Works: Jasper Johns, *Flags II [trial proof]* (1967–1970), color lithograph; Corita Kent, *Flag of My Home* (1976), screenprint; Childe Hassam, *Allies Day, May 1917* (1917), oil on canvas; Neil Armstrong (NASA), *Buzz Aldrin Poses with Flag* (July 20, 1969), chromogenic print; Robert Frank, *Parade—Hoboken, New Jersey* (1955, printed 1977), gelatin silver print. Additional artists in the show include Gordon Parks, Dorothea Lange, and Faith Ringgold.
Exhibition Highlights: Roughly 30 artworks from the late 1800s to today; includes an interactive article titled “Childe Hassam and the Flag in American Art” exploring the American impressionist’s flag paintings
Accessibility: The National Gallery offers full accessibility information on its website; the East Building is wheelchair accessible
Ticketing Information: Admission is always free and passes are not required