A poster extolling the virtues of Thomas Edison's new phonograph is accompanied by text that explains the purpose of the poster and how it was made.

Visit an example-rich exploration of poster art and learn how famous faces have been used to convey meanings and messages across the decades. An excellent resource for discovering how art can be a window into a particular time, Ballyhoo! looks at images from a range of periods in U.S. history, including turn-of-the century America (ca. 1890), World War I, World War II, and the 1960s. An effective device, also, for learning about celebrity culture and the tried-and-true advertising ruse of celebrity endorsement.

This site has photographs and paintings of Civil War leaders, both political and military. Clicking on the arrow will take you through pictures and brief biographies of the leaders. From the National Portrait Gallery.

Examples of many of the weapons used in the Civil War are included in this exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution. Find rifles, swords, pistols, and hand grenades along with descriptions of who used them and how they were manufactured. Click on the arrow to navigate the site.

This is the official site of the National Portrait Gallery's exhibit entitled "Edith Wharton's World: Portraits of People and Places." It contains some information about Wharton's life and career and reproductions of the paintings in the exhibit.

Portraits in the collections of the National Portrait Gallery can be seen and understood with excellent gallery notes that also survey the history of portraiture in American art leading up to the modern period.

Many components of a portrait of George Washington have been removed. You need to uncover them with the red spyglass. As you find each piece you will learn how it plays an important roll in the value of the painting and why the artist put it there.

The National Portrait Gallery provides this opportunity to view 12 portraits of George and Martha Washington from his Presidential years. Information of each portrait is available.

Biographical portraits of African Americans involved in the struggle for civil rights and equality, from the time of Frederick Douglass forward. Learn about the contributions of Edmonia Lewis, Sojourner Truth, Edward Bannister, Octavius Catto, James Baldwin, Stokley Carmichael, and others whose actions led to to the eventual expansion of freedoms in America.

This exhibition by National Portrait Gallery titled "Let Your Motto Be Resistance" presents photographs documenting notable African Americans and their contributions to American culture. The gallery of portraits offers an impressive selection of images of each individual accompanied by a short biography.

Exhibition of photographic portraits taken by Civil War-era photographer Mathew Brady, who made portraits of many illustrious Americans on both sides of the conflict before, during, and after the war. Includes an animated explanation of how photographs were made during Brady's lifetime, a biographical note, and dozens of examples of Brady's work that confirm his status as a photographic and photojournalistic pioneer.

This is a great website of portraits of famous people. Includes pictures, biographical information, and general information on artists' techniques. Includes a "Hall of Presidents" and portraits of various celebrities and artists including Marilyn Monroe and Louis Armstrong.

At the Mask of Lincoln website find an impressive gallery of Lincoln portraits and portraits of Lincoln's contemporaries, all captioned with interesting historical sidebars. The famous cracked-plate portrait of Lincoln, taken shortly before his assassination, is only one of many portrait highlights that can be viewed and considered. Includes a selection of audio tours that document aspects of the artifacts on display as well as episodes from Lincoln's life.

This multimedia site offers readings of Whitman's poetry, an introduction, a gallery of images and works through the years of his career, and a reflection of Whitman's significance.

The National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution provides an online exhibit of portrait photographer Philippe Halsman who photographed famous people from Presidents to entertainers.

View videos, photograph, and renderings of American presidents and their foreign counterparts in this image-rich examination of the post-World War II environment and the cold war that followed it. Includes a review of key foreign-policy decisions of each president and opportunities for you to think through the decisions for yourself.

Exhibition of portraits of fourteen vice presidents who later became president tells the stories of their careers in pictures and words. Includes videos of taped interviews with four former vice presidents. [Exhibition opening: January 20, 2009]

A thorough examination of the life of Theodore Roosevelt and the people and events that influenced him. You'll find photographs of Roosevelt, as well as photos, paintings, and biographies of some influential people in Roosevelt's life.

Exhibit documents the life and work of early twentieth-century New York portrait photographer Zaida Ben-Yusuf, who broke with many of the conventions of portraiture and, thereby, attracted the attention of prominent artistic, literary, and theatrical figures of that time, all eager to have portraits made by her.