CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html>      <html class="no-js" lang="en" dir="ltr"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://npg.si.edu/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" /> <meta name="description" content="During the early twentieth century, Paris was the destination of choice for talented and independent American women who were determined to move beyond the limitations that restricted them at home. Tour Schedule: Speed Art Museum, Louisville, KY March 29–June 22, 2025 Georgia Museum of Art, Athens, GA July 19–November 2, 2025" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width" /> <meta name="generator" content="Drupal 7 (https://www.drupal.org)" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://npg.si.edu/exhibition/brilliant-exiles" /> <link rel="shortlink" href="https://npg.si.edu/node/150866" /> <meta name="dcterms.title" content="Brilliant Exiles: American Women in Paris, 1900–1939" /> <meta name="dcterms.creator" content="SisumD" /> <meta name="dcterms.description" content="During the early twentieth century, Paris was the destination of choice for talented and independent American women who were determined to move beyond the limitations that restricted them at home. Tour Schedule: Speed Art Museum, Louisville, KY March 29–June 22, 2025 Georgia Museum of Art, Athens, GA July 19–November 2, 2025" /> <meta name="dcterms.date" content="2024-02-29T11:01-05:00" /> <meta name="dcterms.type" content="Text" /> <meta name="dcterms.format" content="text/html" /> <meta name="dcterms.identifier" content="https://npg.si.edu/exhibition/brilliant-exiles" /> <meta name="dcterms.language" content="en" /> <title>Brilliant Exiles: American Women in Paris, 1900–1939 | National Portrait Gallery</title> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/css/css_W2kU8JclNageNzAhYWIHG3UbqhAHHRFYFYmX4sfAkB8.css" media="all" /> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/css/css_BIDGwPxVSFhFh6czNpHwvxoUZ06Jm7BWR-S8Wmal588.css" media="all" /> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/css/css_7QU5I2SuSktl6MJIDhHx90i_Zkk0SUdmf7ch45t6S-s.css" media="all" /> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/css/css_bYgu5eCpe7agEy7an0hUoRHwkyR4nxHxCGaJ2bDy1po.css" media="print" />   <script type="text/javascript" src="//ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.12.4/jquery.min.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> <![CDATA[//><!]]> </script> <script type="text/javascript"> <![CDATA[//><!]]> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/js/js_bj8aLgXkuGq1Ao0IA5u3fJcg2JYAiq9U-UtBRf0goSc.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/js/js_onbE0n0cQY6KTDQtHO_E27UBymFC-RuqypZZ6Zxez-o.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> <![CDATA[//><!]]> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/js/js_dur53Y6duLkLxrtZLnNGaEYELhL108WEz2sPjyU8rB8.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/js/js_ijYy-eTJrRt9xGZIwyEhastgCFxDAhy7omGX1RbXiL8.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/js/js_kBnp6IdXR-eS875dmpFvAvKPHUYMbSHvVEzxEQ0gFmg.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/js/js_AF4r5qK2-GuEryXsFYHRWeyikR4W_kSM596CJiQnArc.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-X096FPYXL0"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> <![CDATA[//><!]]> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/js/js_OukZM4SKh8NiFm3ZqDOYp6cGIys_3KzXADocx_KuzRU.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/js/js_Po0KEdQLZZuqiYzDNkwxlDFHeQB9_rjRdm6GUDPKWew.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> <![CDATA[//><!]]> </script> </head> <body class="html not-front not-logged-in no-sidebars page-node page-node- page-node-150866 node-type-exhibit panel-region-main full-width-exhibit i18n-en" > <a href="#main-content" class="element-invisible element-focusable sr-only">Skip to main content</a> <div id="page-wrapper"> <header class="header " role="banner"> <div class="preface"> <div class="container layout"> <div class="region region-preface-left col-6 col-sm-4 col-md-2 col"> <div id="block-block-13" class="block--block-13 block"> <p><a class="si-logo-white" href="https://www.si.edu"><span class="sr-only">Smithsonian Website</span></a></p> </div> </div> <div class="region region-preface-right col-6 col-sm-8 last last-md col-md-10 col"> <div class="inner"> <div id="block-si-custom-si-edan-search" class="block--si-custom-si-edan-search block"> <form class="search-block-form" action="/exhibition/brilliant-exiles" method="post" id="si-custom-integrated-search-form" accept-charset="UTF-8"><div><div class="form-item form-type-textfield form-item-search-term"> <label for="edit-search-term">Search Term <span class="form-required" title="This field is required.">*</span></label> <input placeholder="Search" type="text" id="edit-search-term" name="search_term" value="" size="60" maxlength="128" class="form-text required" /> </div> <input type="submit" id="edit-submit" name="op" value="Submit Search" class="form-submit" /><input type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-2x-bqOD3WmaJfxODu5jQ53jcs2-WZKq3Xhftx7islaI" /> <input type="hidden" name="form_id" value="si_custom_integrated_search_form" /> </div></form></div> <div id="block-block-14" class="block--block-14 block"> <p><a class="btn donate-btn" href="/donate" target="_blank">Donate</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="header-inner"> <div class="container layout"> <div class="branding col-3 col"> <div class="wrapper-logo"> <a href="/" title="Home" rel="home" class="site-logo"><img src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/all/themes/si_npg/logo.svg" alt="Home" /> </a> </div> <div class="site-name sr-only">National Portrait Gallery</div> </div> <div class="col-9 last last-md col"> <div class="region region-header"> <div id="block-lang-dropdown-language" class="block--lang-dropdown-language block"> <form class="lang_dropdown_form language" id="lang_dropdown_form_language" action="/exhibition/brilliant-exiles" method="post" accept-charset="UTF-8"><div><div class="form-item form-type-select form-item-lang-dropdown-select"> <select class="lang-dropdown-select-element form-select" id="lang-dropdown-select-language" style="width:75px" name="lang_dropdown_select"><option value="en" selected="selected">en</option><option value="es">es</option></select> </div> <input type="hidden" name="en" value="/exhibition/brilliant-exiles" /> <input type="hidden" name="es" value="/es/node/150866" /> <noscript><div> <input type="submit" id="edit-submit--2" name="op" value="Go" class="form-submit" /> </div></noscript><input type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-D9DP7SGC-3bCI-5MsjMTG-kkHCNc2jtDok4Zw8GW6cA" /> <input type="hidden" name="form_id" value="lang_dropdown_form" /> </div></form></div> <div id="block-menu-menu-secondary" class="block--menu-menu-secondary block" role="navigation"> <ul class="menu"><li class="first collapsed"><a href="/donate"><span>Support Us</span></a></li> <li class="collapsed"><a href="/about-us"><span>About Us</span></a></li> <li class="collapsed"><a href="/about-us/host-event"><span>Host An Event</span></a></li> <li class="collapsed"><a href="/podcasts"><span>Podcast</span></a></li> <li class="collapsed"><a href="/get-involved"><span>Get Involved</span></a></li> <li class="last leaf"><a href="/about-us/press-room"><span>Press Room</span></a></li> </ul></div> </div> <nav class="navigation"> <div class="region region-navigation"> <div id="block-superfish-1" class="block--superfish-1 block"> <div class="inner"> <ul id="superfish-1" class="menu sf-menu sf-main-menu sf-horizontal sf-style-none sf-total-items-6 sf-parent-items-6 sf-single-items-0"><li id="menu-20945-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-1 sf-total-children-6 sf-parent-children-0 sf-single-children-6 menuparent" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="submenu-menu-20945-1" aria-controls="submenu-menu-20945-1" aria-expanded="false"><a href="/visiting-the-museum" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent">Visit</a><div id="submenu-menu-20945-1" role="group" aria-expanded="false" aria-labelledby="menu-20945-1" class="sf-mega cols-2 wrapper--sf-depth-2"><div class="inner"><div class="sf-mega-section first"><div class="section-title"><a href="/visiting-the-museum" class="beta btn-text">Visit</a></div></div><div class="sf-mega-section wrapper-sub-menu last"><div class="sub-menu"><ul><li id="menu-20958-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/visiting-the-museum" class="sf-depth-2">Visiting the Museum</a></li><li id="menu-21915-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/smartify-app" class="sf-depth-2">SMARTIFY App</a></li><li id="menu-20959-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/access" class="sf-depth-2">Accessibility</a></li><li id="menu-20356-1" class="middle even sf-item-4 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/docent-tours" class="sf-depth-2">Docent Tours</a></li><li id="menu-1512-1" class="middle odd sf-item-5 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/visit/shop" class="sf-depth-2">Museum Shop</a></li><li id="menu-1511-1" class="last even sf-item-6 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/visit/courtyard-cafe" class="sf-depth-2">Café</a></li></ul></div><div class="section-image"><img src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/page-header/npg-00106.jpg?itok=bVBQGHxf" width="220" height="220" alt="facade of the museum" /></div></div></div></div></li><li id="menu-1526-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-1 sf-total-children-6 sf-parent-children-0 sf-single-children-6 menuparent" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="submenu-menu-1526-1" aria-controls="submenu-menu-1526-1" aria-expanded="false"><a href="/npg.si.edu/whats-on" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent">Exhibitions</a><div id="submenu-menu-1526-1" role="group" aria-expanded="false" aria-labelledby="menu-1526-1" class="sf-mega cols-3 wrapper--sf-depth-2"><div class="inner"><div class="sf-mega-section first"><div class="section-title"><a href="/npg.si.edu/whats-on" class="beta btn-text">Exhibitions</a></div></div><div class="sf-mega-section wrapper-sub-menu"><div class="sub-menu"><ul><li id="menu-9672-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/npg.si.edu/whats-on" class="sf-depth-2">Current Exhibitions</a></li><li id="menu-19860-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/whats-on/upcoming-exhibitions" class="sf-depth-2">Upcoming Exhibitions</a></li><li id="menu-1529-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/whats-on/traveling-exhibitions" class="sf-depth-2">Traveling Exhibitions</a></li><li id="menu-1530-1" class="middle even sf-item-4 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/whats-on/past-exhibitions" class="sf-depth-2">Past Exhibitions</a></li><li id="menu-21315-1" class="middle odd sf-item-5 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/whats-on/online-exhibitions" class="sf-depth-2">Online Exhibitions</a></li><li id="menu-19983-1" class="last even sf-item-6 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/whats-on/in-memoriam" class="sf-depth-2">In Memoriam</a></li></ul></div><div class="section-image"><img src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/teaser/3rdfloor.jpg?itok=VpukFgtZ" width="220" height="220" alt="Exhibition space with yellow panels displaying portraits." /></div></div><div class="view view-menu-block-all view-id-menu_block_all view-display-id-block sf-mega-section last view-dom-id-753d1ac518b3045c7b10a4f9c013759e"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="views-row views-row-1 views-row-odd views-row-first views-row-last"> <div class="ds-1col node node-promotion view-mode-menu clearfix"> <div class="field field-name-field-subtitle field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="gamma">What's On</div> </div> <p>Explore the museum's diverse and wide-ranging exhibitions.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div></div></div></li><li id="menu-1413-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-1 sf-total-children-3 sf-parent-children-0 sf-single-children-3 menuparent" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="submenu-menu-1413-1" aria-controls="submenu-menu-1413-1" aria-expanded="false"><a href="/calendar" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent">Events</a><div id="submenu-menu-1413-1" role="group" aria-expanded="false" aria-labelledby="menu-1413-1" class="sf-mega cols-2 wrapper--sf-depth-2"><div class="inner"><div class="sf-mega-section first"><div class="section-title"><a href="/calendar" class="beta btn-text">Events</a></div></div><div class="sf-mega-section wrapper-sub-menu last"><div class="sub-menu"><ul><li id="menu-3013-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/calendar" class="sf-depth-2">Full Calendar</a></li><li id="menu-16808-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/adult-programs" class="sf-depth-2">Adult Programs</a></li><li id="menu-16822-1" class="last odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/events/family-programs" class="sf-depth-2">Family Programs</a></li></ul></div><div class="section-image"><img src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/page-header/dayofdead.jpg?itok=1s4gbX_W" width="220" height="220" alt="Day of the Dead dancers" /></div></div></div></div></li><li id="menu-1414-1" class="middle even sf-item-4 sf-depth-1 sf-total-children-9 sf-parent-children-0 sf-single-children-9 menuparent" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="submenu-menu-1414-1" aria-controls="submenu-menu-1414-1" aria-expanded="false"><a href="/portraits" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent">The Portraits</a><div id="submenu-menu-1414-1" role="group" aria-expanded="false" aria-labelledby="menu-1414-1" class="sf-mega cols-3 wrapper--sf-depth-2"><div class="inner"><div class="sf-mega-section first"><div class="section-title"><a href="/portraits" class="beta btn-text">The Portraits</a></div></div><div class="sf-mega-section wrapper-sub-menu"><div class="sub-menu"><ul><li id="menu-1533-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/portraits" class="sf-depth-2">Portrait Search</a></li><li id="menu-19748-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/open-access-frequently-asked-questions" class="sf-depth-2">Open Access</a></li><li id="menu-21798-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="https://npg.si.edu/bache/" target="_blank" class="sf-depth-2">Bache Album</a></li><li id="menu-21914-1" class="middle even sf-item-4 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/portraits/shared-stewardship-and-ethical-returns" class="sf-depth-2">Shared Stewardship and Ethical Returns</a></li><li id="menu-20943-1" class="middle odd sf-item-5 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/outgoing-loan-program-policy" class="sf-depth-2">Outgoing Loan Program Policy</a></li><li id="menu-4944-1" class="middle even sf-item-6 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/rights-reproductions" class="sf-depth-2">Rights & Reproductions</a></li><li id="menu-1541-1" class="middle odd sf-item-7 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/portraits/publications" class="sf-depth-2">Publications</a></li><li id="menu-1540-1" class="middle even sf-item-8 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/portraits/conservation" class="sf-depth-2">Lunder Conservation Center</a></li><li id="menu-19744-1" class="last odd sf-item-9 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/contact-us-0" class="sf-depth-2">Contact Us</a></li></ul></div><div class="section-image"><img src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/johnm.jpg?itok=6zM0cQqs" width="220" height="220" alt="Man with taking a portrait from a rack of many artworks" /></div></div><div class="view view-menu-block-all view-id-menu_block_all view-display-id-block sf-mega-section last view-dom-id-332bda23a32444da4bf17bba0db63b48"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="views-row views-row-1 views-row-odd views-row-first views-row-last"> <div class="ds-1col node node-promotion view-mode-menu clearfix"> <div class="field field-name-field-subtitle field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="gamma">Search Our Collections</div> </div> <p>Thousands of works of art, artifacts and archival materials are available for the study of portraiture.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div></div></div></li><li id="menu-17004-1" class="middle odd sf-item-5 sf-depth-1 sf-total-children-4 sf-parent-children-0 sf-single-children-4 menuparent" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="submenu-menu-17004-1" aria-controls="submenu-menu-17004-1" aria-expanded="false"><a href="/PORTAL" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent">Research</a><div id="submenu-menu-17004-1" role="group" aria-expanded="false" aria-labelledby="menu-17004-1" class="sf-mega cols-2 wrapper--sf-depth-2"><div class="inner"><div class="sf-mega-section first"><div class="section-title"><a href="/PORTAL" class="beta btn-text">Research</a></div></div><div class="sf-mega-section wrapper-sub-menu last"><div class="sub-menu"><ul><li id="menu-20214-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/PORTAL" class="sf-depth-2">PORTAL</a></li><li id="menu-16983-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/portraits/research/CAP" class="sf-depth-2">Catalog of American Portraits</a></li><li id="menu-16990-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/aapg-library" class="sf-depth-2">AA/PG Library</a></li><li id="menu-17018-1" class="last even sf-item-4 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/linked-open-data" class="sf-depth-2">Linked Open Data</a></li></ul></div><div class="section-image"><img src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/teaser/mariamag.jpg?itok=PyRiDmIW" width="220" height="220" alt="Perfromance art in the Great Hall" /></div></div></div></div></li><li id="menu-1415-1" class="last even sf-item-6 sf-depth-1 sf-total-children-6 sf-parent-children-0 sf-single-children-6 menuparent" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="submenu-menu-1415-1" aria-controls="submenu-menu-1415-1" aria-expanded="false"><a href="/learn" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent">Learn</a><div id="submenu-menu-1415-1" role="group" aria-expanded="false" aria-labelledby="menu-1415-1" class="sf-mega cols-3 wrapper--sf-depth-2"><div class="inner"><div class="sf-mega-section first"><div class="section-title"><a href="/learn" class="beta btn-text">Learn</a></div></div><div class="sf-mega-section wrapper-sub-menu"><div class="sub-menu"><ul><li id="menu-20353-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/participate-home" class="sf-depth-2">Participate@Home</a></li><li id="menu-21430-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/learn/access-programs" class="sf-depth-2">Access Programs</a></li><li id="menu-20354-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/adults" class="sf-depth-2">Adults</a></li><li id="menu-20939-1" class="middle even sf-item-4 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/families" class="sf-depth-2">Families</a></li><li id="menu-1542-1" class="middle odd sf-item-5 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/teachers" class="sf-depth-2">Teachers & Students</a></li><li id="menu-1544-1" class="last even sf-item-6 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/learn/teens" class="sf-depth-2">Teens</a></li></ul></div><div class="section-image"><img src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/promotion/npg-00930.jpg?itok=xL-GISsM" width="220" height="220" alt="Docent working with children on crafts" /></div></div><div class="view view-menu-block-all view-id-menu_block_all view-display-id-block sf-mega-section last view-dom-id-362b2359472d052e9c6f36b125c7d3a7"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="views-row views-row-1 views-row-odd views-row-first views-row-last"> <div class="ds-1col node node-promotion view-mode-menu clearfix"> <div class="field field-name-field-subtitle field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="gamma">Explore with Us</div> </div> <p>Visitors of all ages can learn about portraiture through a variety of weekly public programs to create art, tell stories, and explore the museum.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div></div></div></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </header> <div class="content-wrapper"> <a id="main-content"></a> <div class="wrapper--tabs"> </div> <div class="region region-content"> <div class="panel-pane pane-entity-field pane-node-field-page-image" > <img src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/slides_wide/public/page-header/flowersbanner.jpg?itok=eggy6i4I" alt="Tryptic of 3 elegant women holding or surrounded by various flowers" /> </div> <div class="panel-pane pane-entity-field pane-node-field-caption small container spacing-half-top" > <p><em>In Exaltation of Flowers: Rose-Geranium;</em> <em>Petunia-Caladium-Budleya</em>; and <em>Golden-Banded Lily-Violets </em>by Edward Steichen (1879–1973) / Tempera and gold leaf on canvas, 1910–13 / Art Bridges</p> <p> </p> </div> <div class="panel-pane pane-page-breadcrumb" > <ul class="breadcrumbs"><li><span><a href="/">Home</a></span></li><li class="active"><span>Brilliant Exiles: American Women in Paris, 1900–1939</span></li></ul> </div> <div class="inner"> <div class="field field-name-title-field field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <h1>Brilliant Exiles: American Women in Paris, 1900–1939</h1> </div> </div> <div id="node-150866" class="node node-exhibit" > <div> <div class="group-logistic field-group-html-element spacing-bottom"> <div class="field field-name-field-exhibit-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"> <span class="date-display-wrapper"><span class="date-display-start">April 26, 2024</span> - <span class="date-display-end">February 23, 2025</span></span> </div></div> <div id="paragraphs-item-13277" class="ds-2col-stacked-fluid entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-two-column-right spacing-bottom field-spacing view-mode-full two-col clearfix"> <div class="content cf"> <div class="group-left"> <div class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-text-block spacing-bottom field-spacing" id="paragraphs-item-13275"> <p>During the early twentieth century, Paris was the destination of choice for talented and independent American women who were determined to move beyond the limitations that restricted them at home. As foreigners in a cosmopolitan city, they escaped the societal expectations and constraints of both the United States and France. Many used their newfound liberty as an opportunity for self-reinvention and discovery.</p> <p>In Paris, American women explored a variety of options for making their mark on contemporary culture. They carried out transformative work in wide-ranging fields including art, literature, dance, publishing, music, and fashion. An impressive number not only participated in important modernist initiatives but led them.</p> <p>By crossing the Atlantic to pursue their personal and professional aspirations, these “brilliant exiles” took a leap into the future. They experienced liberties, opportunities, and tolerances that were yet to be achieved in the United States. How much has changed since then? Have the freedoms and possibilities they sought become realities?</p> </div> </div> <div class="group-right"> <div class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-text-block bg-gray-light field-bg spacing-bottom field-spacing" id="paragraphs-item-13276"> <p><img alt="podcast icon" height="30" src="/sites/default/files/podcast_icon2.jpg" width="30" /> <a href="https://npg.si.edu/podcasts/brilliant-exiles" target="_blank""> Listen to the PORTRAITS podcast</a><br /> <em>Brilliant Exiles</em> with Robyn Asleson</p> <p><img alt="museum icon" height="30" src="/sites/default/files/museumicon.jpg" width="30" /> Tour Schedule:</p> <p> Speed Art Museum, Louisville, KY<br /> <em>March 29–June 22, 2025</em><br /><br /> Georgia Museum of Art, Athens, GA<br /> <em>July 19–November 2, 2025</em></p> <p><img alt="back arrow icon" height="23" src="/sites/default/files/MayaLin/backarrow_0.jpg" style="float:left" width="24" /> <a href="https://npg.si.edu/npg.si.edu/whats-on">Return to Current Exhibitions</a></p> <style type="text/css"> <![CDATA[/* ><!]]>*/ </style> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-text-block spacing-bottom field-spacing" id="paragraphs-item-13301"> <div class="content"> <p><span style="font-size:26px;">IMAGE GALLERY & AUDIO TOUR</span><br /> Tour the exhibition, online, with curator Robyn Asleson.</p> </div> </div> <div class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-grid-layout layout-constrain field-layout col-md-5 field-grid-col" id="paragraphs-item-13271"> <div class="group-wrapper content"> <div class="teaser teaser--link entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-captioned-image bg-gray-light field-bg view-mode-full teaser-long has-media" id="paragraphs-item-13270"> <a href="https://app.smartify.org/tours/brilliant-exiles-modern-art-and-modern-women" class="inner"> <div class="b-media-wrapper"> <img src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/grid_default/public/rice.jpg?itok=CdIY72QJ" width="470" height="350" alt="Waist length portrait of a woman with flowers" /> </div> <div class="b-text-wrapper"> <p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:16px;">Modern Art and Modern Women</span></span></p> </div> </a> </div> <div class="teaser teaser--link entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-captioned-image bg-gray-light field-bg view-mode-full teaser-long has-media" id="paragraphs-item-13272"> <a href="https://app.smartify.org/tours/brilliant-exiles-the-dancer-of-the-future" class="inner"> <div class="b-media-wrapper"> <img src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/grid_default/public/vanderbilt_whitney_bakst_costume.jpg?itok=4PCrPWX9" width="470" height="350" alt="Full length portrait of a woman in Asian-inspired costume" /> </div> <div class="b-text-wrapper"> <p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:16px;">Dancer of the Future</span></span></p> </div> </a> </div> <div class="teaser teaser--link entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-captioned-image bg-gray-light field-bg view-mode-full teaser-long has-media" id="paragraphs-item-13273"> <a href="https://app.smartify.org/tours/brilliant-exiles-the-stein-effect" class="inner"> <div class="b-media-wrapper"> <img src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/grid_default/public/gertalice.jpg?itok=NMscH20a" width="470" height="350" alt="Painting of two women in an interior" /> </div> <div class="b-text-wrapper"> <p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:16px;">The Stein Effect</span></span></p> </div> </a> </div> <div class="teaser teaser--link entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-captioned-image bg-gray-light field-bg view-mode-full teaser-long has-media" id="paragraphs-item-13274"> <a href="https://app.smartify.org/tours/brilliant-exiles-literary-modernism" class="inner"> <div class="b-media-wrapper"> <img src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/grid_default/public/beach_0.jpg?itok=qKwZ7Qq_" width="470" height="350" alt="Waist length portrait of a woman wearing a plaid bowtie" /> </div> <div class="b-text-wrapper"> <p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:16px;">Literary Modernism</span></span></p> </div> </a> </div> <div class="teaser teaser--link entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-captioned-image bg-gray-light field-bg view-mode-full teaser-long has-media" id="paragraphs-item-13278"> <a href="https://app.smartify.org/tours/brilliant-exiles-the-stars-of-montmartre-nightlife" class="inner"> <div class="b-media-wrapper"> <img src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/grid_default/public/baker2.jpg?itok=uFKqws6q" width="470" height="350" alt="Photo of a modern dancer on a stage in the 1920s" /> </div> <div class="b-text-wrapper"> <p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:16px;">Stars of Montmartre Nightlife</span></span></p> </div> </a> </div> </div></div> <div class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-grid-layout layout-constrain field-layout col-md-5 field-grid-col" id="paragraphs-item-13289"> <div class="group-wrapper content"> <div class="teaser teaser--link entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-captioned-image bg-gray-light field-bg view-mode-full teaser-long has-media" id="paragraphs-item-13284"> <a href="https://app.smartify.org/tours/brilliant-exiles-harlems-renaissance-in-paris" class="inner"> <div class="b-media-wrapper"> <img src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/grid_default/public/fauset.jpg?itok=fsEagNIZ" width="470" height="350" alt="knee length portrait of a seated woman in a green dress" /> </div> <div class="b-text-wrapper"> <p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:16px;">Harlem’s Renaissance in Paris</span></span></p> </div> </a> </div> <div class="teaser teaser--link entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-captioned-image bg-gray-light field-bg view-mode-full teaser-long has-media" id="paragraphs-item-13285"> <a href="https://app.smartify.org/tours/brilliant-exiles-an-academy-of-women" class="inner"> <div class="b-media-wrapper"> <img src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/grid_default/public/brooksthumb.jpg?itok=bRc0rH3o" width="470" height="350" alt="waist length detail of a woman dressed in black" /> </div> <div class="b-text-wrapper"> <p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:16px;">An Academy of Women</span></span></p> </div> </a> </div> <div class="teaser teaser--link entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-captioned-image bg-gray-light field-bg view-mode-full teaser-long has-media" id="paragraphs-item-13286"> <a href="https://app.smartify.org/tours/brilliant-exiles-refashioning-modern-women" class="inner"> <div class="b-media-wrapper"> <img src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/grid_default/public/bonney.jpg?itok=JrSk4aaI" width="470" height="350" alt="al;sdkj;alskdjfakjd" /> </div> <div class="b-text-wrapper"> <p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:16px;">Refashioning Modern Women</span></span></p> </div> </a> </div> <div class="teaser teaser--link entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-captioned-image bg-gray-light field-bg view-mode-full teaser-long has-media" id="paragraphs-item-13287"> <a href="https://app.smartify.org/tours/brilliant-exiles-abbott-whos-who" class="inner"> <div class="b-media-wrapper"> <img src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/grid_default/public/daura.jpg?itok=QIq3OodK" width="470" height="350" alt="profile painting of a woman in a red hat" /> </div> <div class="b-text-wrapper"> <p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:16px;">Finding Their Voice</span></span></p> </div> </a> </div> <div class="teaser teaser--link entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-captioned-image view-mode-full teaser-long has-media" id="paragraphs-item-13290"> <a href="https://app.smartify.org/tours/brilliant-exiles-refashioning-modern-women" class="inner"> <div class="b-media-wrapper"> <img src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/grid_default/public/spacer2.jpg?itok=hxZFECUV" width="470" height="350" alt="spacer" /> </div> </a> </div> </div></div> <div class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-text-block bg-gray-light field-bg full-width field-layout" id="paragraphs-item-13332"> <div class="content"> <p><span style="font-size:24px;">GOOGLE ARTS & CULTURE</span><br /> View a selection of portraits from the exhibition.</p> <p class="rtecenter"><iframe allow="autoplay" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="600" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://embed.culturalspot.org/embedv2/story/RQWhYxS9ZdoyAQ" style="max-width:100%;" width="800"></iframe></p> </div> </div> <div class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-text-block spacing-bottom field-spacing" id="paragraphs-item-13300"> <div class="content"> <p><br /><span style="font-size:26px;">EXHIBITION CATALOGUE</span></p> </div> </div> <div id="paragraphs-item-13299" class="ds-2col-stacked-fluid entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-two-column-left view-mode-full two-col clearfix"> <div class="content cf"> <div class="group-left"> <div class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-text-block bg-gray-light field-bg spacing-bottom field-spacing" id="paragraphs-item-13297"> <p style="text-align:center"><img alt="catalogue cover showing a waist length photo of a woman in a suit" height="400" src="/sites/default/files/becatalogue2.jpg" width="311" /></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px;"> </span><span style="font-size:16px;">Publisher: ‎Yale University Press (June 18, 2024)<br /> Language ‏ : ‎ English<br /> Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages<br /> ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0300273584<br /> ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0300273588 </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px;"> <a href="https://saamnpgstore.si.edu/brilliant-exiles-american-women-in-paris-1900-1939" target="_blank"><strong>Available in the Museum Store</strong></a></span></p> </div> </div> <div class="group-right"> <div class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-text-block spacing-bottom field-spacing" id="paragraphs-item-13298"> <p><span style="font-size:24px;"><em>Brilliant Exiles: American Women in Paris, 1900-1939</em></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px;">by Robyn Asleson</span><br /><span style="font-size:16px;">Contributions by Zakiya R. Adair, T. Denean Sharpley-Whiting, Samuel N. Dorf and Tirza True Latimer</span></p> <p><em><strong>A scintillating account of the cultural freedom and empowerment that American women experienced as leaders in the avant-garde scene in early twentieth-century Paris</strong></em></p> <p>For the American women who made Paris their home during the early decades of the twentieth century, the city offered unique opportunities for personal emancipation and professional innovation. While living as expatriates in the international center of all things avant-garde, these women escaped the constraints that limited them at home and enjoyed unprecedented freedom and autonomy. Through portraiture, this volume illuminates the histories of sixty convention-defying women who contributed to the vibrant modernist milieu of Paris—including Berenice Abbott, Josephine Baker, Zelda Fitzgerald, Peggy Guggenheim, Romaine Brooks, and Gertrude Stein. Several of them rose to preeminence as cultural arbiters while exploring culture-shifting experiments in fields such as art, literature, publishing, music, fashion, journalism, theater, and dance.<br /> <br /> Beautifully illustrated, <em>Brilliant Exiles</em> features essays that trace the divergent trajectories of American women in Paris, examining the impact of race, class, and sexuality on their experiences in the French capital. The texts also highlight the role of portraiture in articulating new conceptions of female identity that American women were at liberty to develop in Paris. Working collaboratively with their portraitists, they honed the images that would memorialize them and redefine the imagery of modern womanhood.<br /> <br /> Published in association with the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC<br /> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-text-block spacing-bottom field-spacing" id="paragraphs-item-13295"> <div class="content"> <hr /><p><span style="font-size:26px;">DONOR CREDITS</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px;"><em>We are grateful for the generosity of the following donors whose support has made this exhibition possible.</em></span></p> <p>The Terra Foundation for American Art<br /><img alt="terra logo" height="42" src="/sites/default/files/terra1.jpg" width="125" /></p> <p><span style="font-size:24px;"> Brilliant Friends:</span><br /><span style="font-size:16px;">♦ Mr. and Mrs. John Daniel Reaves ♦ Grace Bender ♦ The Haynes and Boone Foundation, Purvi and Bill Albers, Susan and David McCombs ♦ Kate Capshaw ♦ Pat and Walter Moore ♦ Helen Hilton Raiser ♦ Nicole Washington</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px;">♦ Rabbi Amy and Gary Perlin ♦ In Loving Memory of Joseph B. Gildenhorn by Alma Gildenhorn ♦ Jonathan and Nancy Lee Kemper ♦ The Honorable Bonnie McElveen-Hunter ♦ Elizabeth and Philip Ryan ♦ Devin W. Blackburn, Esq. ♦ Brandon Brame Fortune ♦ LXR ♦ Ellen G. Miles ♦ Ms. Nancy L. Pasternack</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-size:16px;">This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px;"><em>This project received Federal support from the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.</em></span></p> <p><img alt="AWHM logo" height="43" src="/sites/default/files/silogo.jpg" width="225" /></p> <p>Presented by</p> <p><img alt="Chanel logo" height="39" src="/sites/default/files/chanel5.jpg" width="250" /></p> <hr /> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <footer class="footer" role="contentinfo"> <div class="region region-footer container"> <div id="block-panels-mini-footer" class="block--panels-mini-footer block"> <div class="panel-pane pane-block pane-block-3 logos" > <p><a class="logo-white" href="/" rel="home" title="Home"><span class="sr-only">Home</span></a> <a class="si-logo-white" href="https://www.si.edu/" target="_blank" title="Smithsonian Home"><span class="sr-only">Smithsonian Institution</span> </a></p> </div> <div class="group-location wrapper"> <div class="inner"> <h2><span>Museum Location</span></h2> <p>National Portrait Gallery<br /> 8th and G Streets NW<br /> Washington, DC 20001</p> </div></div> <div class="group-hours wrapper"> <div class="inner"> <h2><span>Hours</span></h2> <p>Open 7 days a week<br /> 11:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m.<br /> Closed Dec. 25</p> </div></div> <div class="panel-pane pane-panels-mini pane-footer-sub wrapper"><div class="newsletter"> <div class="inner"> <div class="panel-pane" id="mini-panel-footer_sub"> <div class="panel-pane pane-block pane-block-4" > <h2 class="gamma"><a href="https://si.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=6e5c742f45d8588394b96b90f&id=7cb326f628" target="_blank"><span>Sign up for our newsletter:</span></a></h2> <p><a href="https://si.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=6e5c742f45d8588394b96b90f&id=7cb326f628" target="_blank"><img alt="sign up button" height="38" src="/sites/default/files/signup.jpg" width="227" /></a><br /> We use MailChimp, a third party e-newsletter service. Their <a href="https://mailchimp.com/legal/" target="_blank">Privacy Policy & Terms of Use</a> apply to your use of this service.</p> </div> <div class="panel-pane pane-block pane-menu-menu-social-media" > <ul class="menu"><li class="first leaf"><a href="https://facebook.com/smithsoniannpg " class="fa fa-facebook-square" target="_blank"><span>Facebook</span></a></li> <li class="leaf"><a href="http://twitter.com/smithsoniannpg" class="fa fa-twitter-square"><span>X</span></a></li> <li class="leaf"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/smithsoniannpg/" class="fa fa-instagram"><span>Instagram</span></a></li> <li class="leaf"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/NatlPortraitGallery" class="fa fa-youtube" target="_blank"><span>YouTube</span></a></li> <li class="last leaf"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/portraits/id1466660180" class="fa fa-apple" target="_blank"><span>iTunes</span></a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="panel-pane pane-custom pane-1" > <ul class="reset-list inline-list"><li><a href="https://www.si.edu/privacy" title="">Privacy</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.si.edu/Termsofuse" title="">Terms of Use</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer> <div class="region--postscript"> <div class="page-nav"> <a href="#main-content"><span class="icon"></span><span class="text">Back to Top</span> </a> </div> </div> </div>   <script> window.webtrendsAsyncInit=function(){ var dcs=new Webtrends.dcs().init({ dcsid:"dcspo6flobdzpxj37ughfpuai_5o5r", domain:"logs1.smithsonian.museum", timezone:-5, i18n:true, fpcdom:".si.edu", plugins:{ //hm:{src:"//s.webtrends.com/js/webtrends.hm.js"} } }).track(); }; (function(){ var s=document.createElement("script"); s.async=true; s.src="/sites/all/modules/si_webtrends/scripts/webtrends.min.js"; var s2=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s2.parentNode.insertBefore(s,s2); }()); </script> <noscript><img alt="dcsimg" id="dcsimg" width="1" height="1" src="//logs1.smithsonian.museum/dcspo6flobdzpxj37ughfpuai_5o5r/njs.gif?dcsuri=/nojavascript&WT.js=No&WT.tv=10.4.23&dcssip=www.si.edu"/></noscript>  <script type="text/javascript" src="https://npg.si.edu/sites/default/files/js/js_7Ukqb3ierdBEL0eowfOKzTkNu-Le97OPm-UqTS5NENU.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> <![CDATA[//><!]]> </script> </body> </html>