Museum
Mission
Through an active program of research and exhibitions, the museum strives to advance knowledge and stimulate appreciation of art by engaging visitors aesthetically, visually, and intellectually. We connect scholars with art, and art scholarship with the public.
The Collection and Galleries
Our galleries feature specialized collections of Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art, European masterpieces on view in the historic Music Room, and a rotating program of Special Exhibitions.
Mildred and Robert Woods Bliss initiated these collections in the first half of the twentieth century and provided the vision for future acquisitions after giving Dumbarton Oaks to Harvard University.
Special Exhibitions
Still Life & Landscape
Opening March 30th, 2012
The exhibition of paintings and furniture juxtaposes two distinct and yet related artistic genres. In a landscape, the world is viewed from afar. In a still life, the artist depicts the world up-close and often in detail. Despite these differences, the two art forms share common ground—they represent the world around us.
The artworks in Still Life & Landscape, all from the Dumbarton Oaks historic House Collection, range in date from the early 16th to the early 20th century. Artists in the exhibition include Claude Lorrain, Jan van Huysum, David Roentgen, Odilon Redon, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
Admission and Tours
Admission to the Museum is free. Docent-led tours of the Special Exhibition take place every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 3:00 pm. Please see Visitor Information for further details.
Guided tours of the museum and garden can be arranged during morning hours for groups of 10 to 45 people.
Museum Collections
- Byzantine Collection
- Pre-Columbian Collection
- House Collection
- Browse the Collections Online
Museum Exhibitions
- Galleries
- Special Exhibitions
- Objects on Loan
Further Information
- Institutional Archives
- Pre-Columbian Photograph and Fieldwork Archives
- Publications
- Museum Staff
- Photographic Services
Visitor Information
- Hours and Admission
- Map, Directions, and Parking
- Visitor Guidelines
- Guided Tours
- Museum Shop
- Air Travel and Hotels
- Contact Information
- Find us on Facebook
- Museum eNewsletter