NPG Pop Quiz : A Portrait of the Artist

Attention patrons of the arts, friends of the National Portrait Gallery, art history buffs, and anyone who has ever take a selfie: this Thursday marks the National Portrait Gallery’s monthly Pop Quiz. This month we feature twenty-one self-portraits from the Portrait Gallery’s collection, and each question will correspond to one of the artists of those self-portraits.

While self-representation has always had a place in the creation of art, it wasn’t until the Renaissance that self-portraits became common. Since then, self-portraits have held a certain appeal to viewers, giving face to the mysterious and often elusive figure of the artist. Artists such as Mary Cassatt, Chuck Close, and Elaine de Kooning are well known for creating self-portraits that play with the notion of identity.

The Museum Café will offer snacks and beverages for purchase, and prizes will be distributed to the team with the highest score. Put that Art History 101 knowledge to the test, and make some new friends in the process!

Trivia will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, in the Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard.

Here is a sneak peek for this month’s bonus question, worth ten points:

Alexander Calder is noted for renewing a childlike sense of play juxtaposed against profound mechanical ingenuity in his sculptures. He is known primarily for his metalwork, which ranges from fine wire portraits to massive kinetic art works. What did he call this kind of artwork?
A. Assemblage
B. Mobile
C. Whirligig
D. Fauvism