Eleven photos that define ‘American Cool’

A new exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery will explore what it means to be 'cool'
  
  


American Cool
Jean-Michel Basquiat, 1986. Photograph: Dmitri Kasterine Photograph: Dmitri Kasterine/Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery
American Cool
Debbie Harry, 1978. Photograph: Robert Mapplethorpe Photograph: Robert Mapplethorpe/Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery
American Cool
Frank Sinatra, 1956. Photograph: Herman Leonard Photograph: Herman Leonard/Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery
American Cool
Tony Hawk, 1999. Photograph: Martin Schoeller Photograph: Martin Schoeller/Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery
American Cool
Billie Holiday, 1951. Photograph: Bob Willougby Photograph: Bob Willougby/Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery
American Cool
Miles Davis, 1955. Photograph: Aram Avakian Photograph: Aram Avakian/Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery
American Cool
James Dean, 1954. Photograph: Roy Schatt Photograph: Roy Schatt/Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery
American Cool
Lauren Bacall, 1949. Photograph: Alfred Eisenstaedt Photograph: Alfred Eisenstaedt/Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery
American Cool
Walt Whitman, 1854-55. Photograph: Samuel Hollyer Photograph: Samuel Hollyer/Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery
American Cool
Madonna, 1983. Photograph: Kate Simon Photograph: Kate Simon/Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery
American Cool
Elvis Presley, 1956. Photograph: Roger Marshutz Photograph: Roger Marshutz/Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery
 

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