Frederick Sommer, Lee Nevin, 1963
In 1990 the National Gallery launched an initiative to acquire the finest examples of the art of photography and to mount photography exhibitions of the highest quality, accompanied by scholarly publications and programs. In the years since, the Gallery’s collection of photographs has grown to nearly 15,000 works encompassing the history of the medium from its beginnings in 1839 to the present, featuring in-depth holdings of work by many of the masters of the art form. The Gallery’s program of exhibitions and publications is now considered among the best in the world. Commemorating the 25th anniversary of this initiative, the Gallery will present three major exhibitions in 2015 exemplifying the vitality, breadth, and history of its photography holdings.
