John Singer Sargent (American, 1856–1925), Portrait of Mrs. Asher B. Wertheimer, 1898, Oil on canvas, Museum purchase in memory of William H. Henderson, 78.3

Small Talks are ten-to-fifteen-minute gallery talks focused on one object or a small group of objects. These brief informal sessions enrich the visitor experience and allow visitors to learn more about works of art in NOMA’s permanent holdings as well as those on view in temporary exhibitions.

Wednesday, October 31, 3 pm: Docent Pat Loughran will discuss the Portrait of Pére Antoine.

Friday, November 2, 3 pm: Docent Regina Shujaa will discuss Venus Mourning the Death of Adonis by 17th-century Flemish painter Thomas Bosschaert-Willeborts

Saturday, November 3, 3 pm: Docent Naomi Kornman will discuss John Singer Sargent’s Portrait of Mrs. Asher B. Wertheimer.

Sunday, November 4, 3 pm: Docent Beth Akin will discuss Giovanni Boldoni’s Woman in Profile.

Wednesday, November 7, 3 pm: Docent Rosemary Hays-Thomas will discuss Pablo Picasso’s Portrait of a Woman in an Armchair.

Paolo Caliari (called il Veronese) (Italian, 1528–1588), Portrait of a Woman with a Dog, 1585–1587, Oil on canvas, 41 5/16 x 30 7/8 in., Museo Thyssen Bornemisza, Madrid, Spain

Noontime Talks (12 pm) are casual conversations frequently scheduled throughout the year at noon between artists, curators, and other special guests with NOMA visitors. In the week ahead, Curator Vanessa Schmid will lead visitors through The Orléans Collection on Wednesday, October 31. Guest speaker Philippe Halbert of Yale University’s Department of the History of Art will discuss NOMA’s Louisiana furniture collection on Friday, November 2.

Admission is FREE to NOMA on all Wednesdays courtesy of The Helis Foundation.

Docent guided tours of the museum are offered daily at 1 pm. Guided tours of the Besthoff Sculpture Garden are offered on Saturdays and Mondays at noon through November 26.