April 28, 2023 - February 25, 2024
Three paintings from The Army and Navy Club's collection were on view at the National Portrait Gallery's landmark exhibition
Three paintings from The Army and Navy Club’s collection were on view at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery’s landmark exhibition, 1898: U.S. Imperial Visions and Revisions. The exhibition is a deep exploration of the year 1898, a flashpoint that brought about profound geopolitical changes. Expanding beyond its continental bounds, the United States transformed itself into an empire by seizing the remaining Spanish possessions in the Caribbean and the Pacific and securing Hawaii as part of its dominion. Three contentious events heralded this sea change: the Spanish-American War (or the War of 1898), with its invasions of Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam; the Joint Resolution to annex Hawaii; and the Philippine-American War. These events had profound implications for the lands involved, as well as for residents of the United States—and indeed for the course of modern history.
Although the physical exhibition has concluded, it remains accessible through a permanent online experience at 1898exhibition.si.edu, where visitors can explore the research, interactive maps, and featured artworks.
From its extensive collection of Spanish-American War–related paintings, The Army and Navy Club loaned three naval battle scenes to the exhibition: The Battle of Manila Bay, The Battle of Santiago de Cuba, and USS Yankee at Cienfuegos. Founded in 1885 as the United Service Club—renamed The Army and Navy Club in 1891—the Club counts many Spanish-American War officers and veterans among its founding and most prominent members.