An American Collection
A spectacular, salon-style installation that displays approximately 100 works from the National Academy Museum collections is part of the exhibition titled “An American Collection,” which features paintings from as early as 1820 and ending with works from the 1970s. Some of its highlights are: “Lanscape” by Asher B. Durand — a work from 1850, which shows two artists in the middle of an idyllic Hudson Valley landscape; “The Young Orphan” by William Merritt Chase –- also selected from the museum’s remarkable19th century collection; and “NYC Parking Lot” by Richard Estes — an urban landscape from 1969. This exhibition is on view through December 31.

The Mountaintop
Earlier this month, Samuel L. Jackson made his Broadway debut starring in “The Mountaintop” at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. The play was written by Katori Hall, an American actress and playwright, who grew up in Memphis, Tennessee.
 It is set in the — now famous — Lorraine Hotel in Memphis, on April 3rd, 1968: the night before the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On this stormy night, Dr. King (played by Samuel L. Jackson) retires to Room 306 after having delivered his legendary “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech. Playing opposite Jackson is Angela Bassett, who brings to life the character of a mysterious young woman. She acts as a catalyst for Dr. King’s self-examination of his life and decisions.

Silver Screen/Silver Prints
Founded in 1884, The Grolier Club is America’s oldest and largest society for enthusiasts in the book and graphic arts. Through November 12th, the club hosts a photo exhibition that brings back into the limelight quintessential stars from Hollywood’s “Golden Age.” The exhibition “Silver Screen/Silver Prints” displays a selection of 90 photographs that epitomize the concept of glamour portraits. Shown together for the first time, these photographs demonstrate the important role played by the studio portrait in the film industry’s star-making apparatus. 

Luminous portraits of Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford and Ramon Novarro give audiences the chance to see how the camera lens shaped their most enduring images. The final section is dedicated to Elizabeth Taylor, the last great star of the Hollywood studio system.