Star Power: Photographs from Hollywood’s Golden Age by George Hurrell (A Sequel)
“Star Power: Photographs from Hollywood’s Golden Age by George Hurrell (A Sequel)” presents a second selection of 20 vintage portraits of film royalty from the 1930s and 1940s. Drawn from the National Portrait Gallery’s collection, the exhibition explores how Hurrell’s dramatic lighting, refined compositions, and carefully directed poses helped define Hollywood glamour.
George Hurrell (1904–1992) first became prominent as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s in-house portrait photographer before opening his own studio. The exhibition is selected from the museum’s holdings of 70 Hurrell portraits and is curated by senior curator of photographs Ann Shumard. Featured stars include Constance Bennett, Joan Crawford, Marlene Dietrich, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, Jean Harlow, Dorothy Lamour, Myrna Loy, Mary Pickford, William Powell, Basil Rathbone, Charles “Buddy” Rogers, Rosalind Russell, and Barbara Stanwyck.
When: February 13, 2026–January 10, 2027
Venue: National Portrait Gallery
Location: First Floor, South Corridor
Exhibition: A new selection of 20 photographs from the museum’s George Hurrell collection, focusing on celebrated actors and actresses of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Featured figures: Constance Bennett, Joan Crawford, Marlene Dietrich, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, Jean Harlow, Dorothy Lamour, Myrna Loy, Mary Pickford, William Powell, Basil Rathbone, Charles “Buddy” Rogers, Rosalind Russell, and Barbara Stanwyck
Highlights: The exhibition includes Hurrell’s 1936 double portrait of Clark Gable and Joan Crawford, made to promote their romantic comedy *Love on the Run*, as well as portraits of Barbara Stanwyck, Rosalind Russell, William Powell, Myrna Loy, Dorothy Lamour, Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, Mary Pickford with Charles “Buddy” Rogers, and Jean Harlow.
George Hurrell: Hurrell became known for intensifying the glamour and star presence of his subjects through distinctive lighting and artful posing. His Hollywood portrait work helped shape popular ideas about cinematic beauty and celebrity.
Joan Crawford: The exhibition’s background material describes Crawford’s discovery by an MGM talent scout in 1924, her rise from minor silent-film roles to stardom, and her successful transition to sound films. Hurrell considered her exceptionally photogenic and photographed her repeatedly, including alongside Gable.
Clark Gable: Gable’s career included his Oscar-winning performance in *It Happened One Night* and his role as Rhett Butler in *Gone with the Wind*. He and Crawford appeared together in eight films between 1931 and 1940, including the film that inspired Hurrell’s double portrait.
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.: Fairbanks followed his famous silent-film-star father into acting and appeared in films including *Dawn Patrol*, *The Prisoner of Zenda*, and *Gunga Din*. He also served as a decorated naval officer during World War II.
Works and materials: Gelatin silver prints, including photographs dated from 1930 through approximately 1937. The portraits are from the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, with several acquisitions supported in part by an anonymous donor.
Earlier installation: The first version of “Star Power: Photographs from Hollywood’s Golden Age by George Hurrell” was displayed from March 1, 2024, through January 25, 2026. This exhibition is a subsequent installation with a different selection of photographs.
Tickets: Price not available
Run time: Not applicable; this is an exhibition.
Ages: No age restriction stated.
Accessibility: No specific accessibility information provided.
Support: The exhibition was made possible in part through support from Mark and Cindy Aron.