"This catalog accompanied a major 1998 exhibition celebrating the rich, nearly 100-year history of the Corcoran Gallery of Art biennial of contemporary American painting. Featuring approximately 135 works, it presents a major selection of paintings that the institution had acquired from its past biennial exhibitions and provides a rare opportunity to trace significant trends in American painting through the Corcoran's permanent collection. The introduction and essays explore the larger history of biennial exhibitions in America and the history of the Corcoran's biennial exhibitions--including responses from the public and artists--and examine the changing tastes and movements seen in American painting during the 20th century. The catalog highlights acquisitions of works by acclaimed artists such as Mary Cassatt, Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, Joan Mitchell, and Robert Mangold."--National Gallery of Art Website.