Events &amp; Exhibits

Rethinking Byzantine Masculinities: Gender, Sexuality, Emotions, Devotion

Register now for the October 30 conversation, which brings together four scholars to discuss their research on gender, sexuality, emotions, and devotion.

Simone Dinnerstein Live from the Music Room

Get your virtual front-row seat to the October 31 concert! American pianist Simone Dinnerstein’s program, featuring pieces by Philip Glass and Franz Schubert, draws on her emotional response to isolation in the time of pandemic.

When Cortés Met Malinche, and Montezuma Met Cortés: Alternative Facts and Disturbing Truths

Register now for this November 4 public lecture, in which Matthew Restall offers new theories and perspectives on the Spanish-Aztec encounter, arguing that it is time to upend the traditional tale of the so-called Conquest.

Barrio America: How Latino Immigrants Saved the American City

Register now for the November 12 public lecture, in which A. K. Sandoval-Strausz illuminates the indispensable role Latin American immigrants have played in reviving American cities.

Highlights from the Collections

Discover our collections in a selection of curated online exhibits

Dumbarton Oaks Response to COVID-19

As a public health precaution, the Museum and Garden are closed temporarily, at least through December 31. During the fall term, all public events will be virtual.

We are closely monitoring developments regarding the COVID-19 outbreak and will update our website to reflect any changes to our operations and programming.

Upcoming Events

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Oct 23, 2020

Teaching Urban Landscape History and Democracy

This study day furthers the Mellon Initiative’s purpose of investigating democracy, segregation, and resistance in the urban landscape by engaging in teaching and pedagogy explorations.

Oct 30, 2020

Rethinking Byzantine Masculinities: Gender, Sexuality, Emotions, Devotion

Four scholars engage in conversation about research on gender, sexuality, emotions, and devotion.

Oct 31, 2020

Simone Dinnerstein Live from the Music Room at Dumbarton Oaks

The American pianist’s program, featuring pieces by Philip Glass and Franz Schubert, draws on her emotional response to isolation in the time of pandemic.

Online Exhibits

Explore curated selections from across our collections in a series of online exhibits. Select recent exhibits below, or view them all.

Margaret Mee: Portraits of Plants

Centered on the paintings of botanical artist Margaret Mee, this exhibit explores the traditions of women botanical artists and illustrators primarily using materials from the Rare Book Collection.

Art from the ancient Mediterranean represents a small but significant part of Dumbarton Oaks’ collections. When viewed alongside Byzantine art, these works offer an opportunity to consider the continuities and changes in artistic production from the classical to the medieval period.

Written in Knots: Undeciphered Accounts of Andean Life

Long before the arrival of the Spaniards, the people of South America had a system of recorded information that was portable, precise, and so complex that it remains undeciphered today.

Special Exhibitions

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Margaret Mee: Portraits of Plants

Ancient Art at Dumbarton Oaks

February 10, 2020–July 2021

Music at Dumbarton Oaks

Mildred and Robert Woods Bliss designed Dumbarton Oaks to be beautiful without and within, filling the gardens with flowers, the library with rare volumes, and the house itself with fine art and music. Music at Dumbarton Oaks, founded in 1946 as the Friends of Music, continues this tradition with classical concerts from established and rising musicians.

The 2020–2021 Music at Dumbarton Oaks concert series has been postponed to 2021–2022. Please read this message for more information.

Learn More Early-Career Musician Residency