Back and Forth
Back and Forth is a focused exhibition at the National Gallery of Art that brings together four remarkable paintings spanning six centuries and three distinct cultural traditions. The show juxtaposes works by the 16th‑century Venetian master Titian, the 19th‑century French Post‑Impressionist Paul Cézanne, and the contemporary American artist Rozeal. (formerly known as iona rozeal brown). Though the artists worked in widely different times and places, their paintings share striking visual echoes that prompt viewers to reconsider how artists borrow, remix, and reinterpret conventions across history. The exhibition’s title emphasizes this dynamic, non‑linear conversation: art history is not a straight line but a back‑and‑forth exchange of ideas and forms.
At the heart of the show are four specific works. Titian’s *Venus with a Mirror* (c. 1555) and *Ranuccio Farnese* (1541–1542) provide two classic Renaissance portraits. Rozeal.’s *afro.died, T.* (2011) — executed in acrylic, pen, ink, marker, and graphite on birch plywood — directly references Titian’s *Venus with a Mirror* but transforms it through a contemporary, Afro‑diasporic lens. Paul Cézanne’s *Boy in a Red Waistcoat* (1888–1890) was painted without conscious reference to Titian, yet its compositional structure and handling of the figure resonate with *Ranuccio Farnese*. Together, the quartet invites visitors to discover unexpected affinities and to reflect on how each artist added their own voice to the continuum of art history.
When: April 26, 2025 through January 3, 2027.
Location: National Gallery of Art, West Building, Main Floor, Gallery M11. The museum is at 6th and Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20565.
Admission: Free. No passes are required; admission is always free.
Exhibition Curators: The show is curated by Molly Donovan (curator of contemporary art and acting head of modern and contemporary art), Eve Straussman‑Pflanzer (curator and head of the department of Italian and Spanish paintings), and Aaron Wile (former associate curator in the department of French paintings), all at the National Gallery of Art.
Artworks: The four featured paintings are Titian’s *Venus with a Mirror* (c. 1555, oil on canvas, Andrew W. Mellon Collection), Rozeal.’s *afro.died, T.* (2011, acrylic, pen, ink, marker, and graphite on birch plywood panel, Corcoran Collection), Paul Cézanne’s *Boy in a Red Waistcoat* (1888–1890, oil on canvas, Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon), and Titian’s *Ranuccio Farnese* (1541–1542, oil on canvas, Samuel H. Kress Collection).
Related Content: An interactive article titled “Four Paintings Speak to Each Other Across Space and Time” is available, exploring how Titian, Cézanne, and Rozeal. remix and reinterpret conventions for depicting people.
Museum Hours: The National Gallery of Art is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Sculpture Garden has extended evening hours until 8:00 p.m. on select nights through September 5.
Accessibility: The museum offers comprehensive accessibility services; visit the Accessibility page or inquire at the information desks for details.
Note: The exhibition occupies a single gallery (M11) on the main floor of the West Building and is designed as a compact, thought‑provoking encounter with just four paintings. No tickets or reservations are needed.