Artist
Born in Iowa City, United States
The Artistic Vision of Bernice Cross
Bernice Cross was an American painter and artist born in Iowa City, United States. Throughout a professional career spanning five decades, she developed a style characterized by a sense of fantasy, humor, and a deceptive simplicity. Her work often balanced realism with abstraction, frequently employing a youthful, whimsical spirit that appeared childlike yet remained sophisticated in its composition and use of color. Her subject matter included genre paintings of circus people, characters from fairy tales, still lifes of flower arrangements, and portraits. In her later years, her portraits often took on a dark, almost monochrome quality, depicting figures within dreamlike, grey environments.
Technically, Cross was an adventurous experimentalist. She explored various surface textures, sometimes leaving parts of the canvas bare or building up layers of pigment with a brush and knife, occasionally adding mica or sand to her works. In one notable instance, she departed from traditional canvas or board to create a painting on velvet. Her ability to organize elements and utilize color contrasts allowed her to create an integrated whole, maintaining a recognizable signature throughout her evolving body of work.
Exhibitions and Instruction
Cross was an active participant in the Washington, D.C. art scene, exhibiting her work in numerous solo and group shows at venues such as the Phillips Gallery, the Corcoran Gallery, and the Whyte Gallery. Her work has been featured in collections including the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Phillips Collection. Beyond her own practice, she was a dedicated art instructor. She taught at several institutions, including the Phillips Art School, the Washington Workshop Art Center, and the YMCA of Washington, D.C., and she also provided instruction at Hood College and American University.
Museum
On show in Washington, D.C., United States of America
A Chronicle of American Identity
The Smithsonian American Art Museum, located in Washington, D.C., is the nation's first collection of American art. As a part of the Smithsonian Institution, it holds one of the largest and most inclusive collections of art made in the United States. The holdings represent a continuous record of the American experience, capturing the aspirations, character, and imagination of the people from the colonial period to the present day.
The collection spans centuries and encompasses a wide range of artistic styles. These works document the evolution of visual culture through changing social and political landscapes. By preserving these diverse expressions, the museum maintains a record of the nation's development from its early beginnings to the contemporary era.
The museum's holdings include significant examples of various movements and traditions, such as:
George Catlin's depictions of Native American life from about 1832
The social commentary found in the works of Edward Hopper
The landscapes of the American West by Thomas Moran
The abstract floral explorations of Georgia O’Keeffe
The Historic Old Patent Office Building
The museum is nestled within the venerable Old Patent Office Building in Washington, D.C. Originally conceived as a showcase for American ingenuity during the 19th century, the structure provides a powerful backdrop to the artwork within. Its neoclassical design and expansive spaces offer a formal setting for the collection. The building is shared with the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery.
The architecture influences the perception of the art. Soaring ceilings and intricate detailing provide a sense of grandeur to the pieces on display. This industrial-era architecture creates a dialogue across time, prompting reflection on evolving values and artistic sensibilities. The scale of the rooms complements the diverse expressions found in the galleries.
A Diverse Tapestry of Artistic Styles
The collection spans centuries of American visual history. The landscapes of Frederic Church and Thomas Moran capture the scale of the American West through luminous color and dramatic composition. These works exist alongside the sharp social critiques of Edward Hopper and Dorothea Lange, whose portraits document the realities of the Great Depression. Such pieces offer a view of human vulnerability and resilience through intimate perspectives.
The museum holds a significant collection of Native American art, reflecting the traditions of diverse tribes across the country. This is complemented by the extensive holdings of works by African American artists, whose contributions provide essential social commentary. The museum also features the folk art traditions of self-taught artists like Florence Scovel Shinn, whose illustrations capture everyday life with detail.
Georgia O’Keeffe is represented through her abstract floral paintings, which explore form and nature through bold color and intimate perspectives. The breadth of the collection ensures that various artistic expressions, from colonial landscapes to contemporary forms, are preserved. This variety allows for a continuous dialogue between different eras and cultural voices.
Masterpieces of the American Collection
The collection contains significant works that trace the development of American visual history. Thomas Cole’s 1829 painting, The Subsiding of the Waters of the Deluge, provides an early look at the dramatic compositions of the era. In the mid-19th century, Albert Bierstadt captured the Sierra Nevada Mountains in 1868, while Winslow Homer’s 1862 work, The Army of the Potomac–A Sharp-Shooter on Picket Duty, documents the realities of the Civil War. These pieces reflect the shifting focus of the nation from landscape to the complexities of conflict.
The museum also holds works from the 20th century that explore different modes of representation. Edward Hopper’s 1922 piece, The Cat Boat, offers a study of form and light. Later, Jacob Lawrence’s 1960 work, The Library, contributes to the narrative of American social and cultural life. These works are held alongside historical pieces such as John Trumbull’s The Battle at Bunker.
Among the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, 1868 - Albert Bierstadt
The Cat Boat, 1922 - Edward Hopper
The Library, 1960 - Jacob Lawrence
The Battle at Bunker - John Trumbull
The Subsiding of the Waters of the Deluge, 1829 - Thomas Cole
The Army of the Potomac–A Sharp-Shooter on Picket Duty, 1862 - Winslow Homer
Current Exhibitions and Immersive Installations
The museum currently hosts several exhibitions that examine different facets of the American experience. "State Fairs: Growing American Craft" examines the artistic contributions within this specific national tradition, featuring works ranging from intricate quilts to ceramics. These displays provide a look at the skill and creativity found in regional fair traditions across the country.
Multimedia and immersive works are also central to the current programming. Shahzia Sikander’s installation, "The Last Post," uses a contemporary approach to Indo-Persian miniature painting to examine the legacy of British colonialism. Nearby, Cecilia Vicuña presents "Quipu Viscera," an installation that utilizes unspun wool to explore themes of identity, memory, and indigenous rights. These works contribute to the breadth of expression found within the institution.
Commitment to Education and Accessibility
The mission of the Smithsonian American Art Museum is to share the stories of our nation through American art and craft. This objective is supported by a vision that invites every visitor to picture themselves within the context of American art. By fostering this connection, the institution seeks to spark dialogue and build a meaningful understanding of the diverse voices that constitute the American experience.
Accessibility remains a fundamental principle of our operations. A free admission policy ensures that the collection is available to all members of the public without financial barrier. Beyond the physical galleries, the museum provides extensive resources designed for students, teachers, and art enthusiasts. These include engaging programs and online databases that facilitate deeper research and learning.
Through these educational initiatives, the museum maintains its role as a center for the study of American visual culture. The institution provides the tools necessary for both casual observers and serious scholars to engage with the history and innovation of the nation's creative output.
