Dumbarton Oaks

Ornament: Fragments of Byzantine Fashion

September 10–January 5 | Explore tunics, parts of garments, and contemporary replicas of ancient dress that evoke the fashions of this now lost world.

Woven Interiors: Furnishing Early Medieval Egypt

August 31–January 5, at the Textile Museum | See remarkable examples of hangings, curtains, bedcovers, pillows, and other fabrics intended for use in a range of sacred and secular spaces.

Catalogue of the Textiles in the Dumbarton Oaks Byzantine Collection

The textiles in the Byzantine Collection, which have never been systematically published, are now available online, along with 10 essays exploring furnishing textiles in the late antique, Byzantine, and early Islamic periods.

Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection supports research and learning internationally in Byzantine, Garden and Landscape, and Pre-Columbian studies through fellowships and internships, meetings, and exhibitions. Located in residential Georgetown, Dumbarton Oaks welcomes researchers at all career stages who come to study its books, objects, images, and documents. It opens its doors to the public to visit its historic garden, designed by Beatrix Farrand; its museum, with world-class collections of art; and its Music Room, for lectures and concerts. The institute disseminates knowledge through its publications and online resources. Innovative programming has introduced students of all ages to the museum, garden, and collections.

Learn MorePlan Your Visit

Upcoming Events

View All

Jan 12, 2020 - Jan 13, 2020

Aizuri Quartet

Works by Beethoven, Haydn, and more feature in a performance by an award-winning string quartet, currently in residence at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Feb 09, 2020 - Feb 10, 2020

ZOFO

Two pianists on one piano, this Grammy-nominated duo performs works by Stravinsky, Debussy, and others.

Mar 01, 2020 - Mar 02, 2020

Sandbox Percussion

This lauded contemporary percussion chamber quartet offers audiences a visually and musically compelling performance.

Research

Dumbarton Oaks supports and publishes scholarship in the three areas of study supported by Robert Woods Bliss and Mildred Barnes Bliss: Byzantine Studies, including related aspects of late Roman, early Christian, western Medieval, Slavic, and Near Eastern Studies; Pre-Columbian Studies of Mexico, Central America, and Andean South America; and Garden and Landscape Studies, including garden history, landscape architecture, and related disciplines.

Studies Programs Fellowships & Awards Library & Archives Publications