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Americans is an introduction to the history of the United States of America through the art of portraiture. Bringing together over 120 famous American figures, this book draws on the vibrant collections of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington to represent a selection of heroes, writers, statesmen, inventors, educators, musicians, artists and scientists. Together, these portraits comprise a unique overview of the contribution that individuals have made to American politics, society and culture.

"Augustus Saint-Gaudens is considered one of America's greatest sculptors, but no major exhibition of his works had been held since the memorial retrospective in 1908. In one sense, however, Saint Gaudens is always on exhibition. For example, we see his Admiral Farragut in Madison Square, New York, his standing Lincoln in Lincoln Park, Chicago, his Adams Memorial in Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington, D.C., and his Shaw Memorial opposite the State House in Boston. Now The National Portrait Gallery has assembled for exhibition nearly two-thirds of the ninety portrait reliefs which he executed during his career, and this volume has grown out of the collection. New photographs have been taken of each portrait exhibited and these are accompanied by six portraits of Saint-Gaudens. The extensive catalogue not only details the information on each piece but also describes the artist's subjects -- among others Robert Louis Stevenson, William Dean Howells, John Singer Sargent, Henry Adams, Theodore Roosevelt, Mrs. Grover Cleveland. Further, this book presents the most complete bibliography yet assembled on Saint-Gaudens."--Book jacket.

This essential volume showcases portraits of prominent Americans who have influenced the nation's history from its earliest days to the present. It features 150 paintings, photographs, drawings, posters, sculptures, screenprints, and digital video stills carefully selected from the National Portrait Gallery of leading politicians, artists, athletes, celebrities, and scholars. Each image is accompanied by commentary that illuminates the person's life and legacy. Subjects include Mark Twain, Benjamin Franklin, Rosa Parks, Eleanor Roosevelt, Louis Armstrong, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, John Steinbeck, Venus and Serena Williams, Bruce Springsteen, Pedro Martinez, and Oprah Winfrey. Portrait of a Nation is a compelling composite portrait of America.