Embassy of Japan
Press Release
November 3, 2019
2019 Autumn Conferment of Decoration
Dr. Earl A. Powell III
On November 3, 2019 (Japan Time), the Government of Japan announced the foreign recipients of the 2019 Autumn Imperial Decorations. National Gallery of Art Director Emeritus Earl A. Powell III is among this year’s foreign recipients, and in recognition of his efforts to introduce Japanese artwork and promote understanding of Japan through art in the United States, he will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star.
- DECORATION: Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star
- SERVICE: In recognition of the recipient’s efforts to introduce Japanese artwork and promote understanding of Japan through art in the United States
- NAME: Earl A. Powell III
- MAJOR TITLES:
- Former Director, National Gallery of Art
- Director Emeritus, National Gallery of Art
- ADDRESS (NATIONALITY): District of Columbia (United States of America)
SUMMARY OF CONTRIBUTIONS
Dr. Earl A. Powell III served as Director of the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. for almost 27 years, from 1992 to 2019. During his time as director, he oversaw several significant exhibitions, including “Edo: Art in Japan 1615-1868” (1998), “'Colorful Realm,' Works by Ito Jakuchu” (2012), and “The Life of Animals in Japanese Art” (2019). Through these special exhibitions and related events, Dr. Powell III promoted understanding of Japan in the U.S., cultivating appreciation of Japanese art and culture among Americans.
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