Have you or anyone know you know sat for a portrait? In the world since photography, what relevance does the tradition of painted portraiture have? These are questions that the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery would like us to consider. The museum is offering a free event, the Edgar P. Richardson symposium, this Friday (November 17, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.) on the subject of Today’s Face: Perspectives on Contemporary Portraiture.

The morning session features two presentations, beginning with curator Anne Collins Goodyear’s reflections on the impact of Marcel Duchamp on recent portraiture. That is followed by Richard Powell, an art professor at Duke, who will discuss new developments in black portraiture. James Holloway will then speak about how the institution he directs, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, commissions new portraits. The afternoon session will feature conversations with three artists — David Lenz (Wisconsin), Nina Levy (Brooklyn), and Kehinde Wiley (Brooklyn) — about their work in portraiture. Unfortunately, lunch is not provided, but there will be a reception in the Great Hall at the end of this symposium. To register, send your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail to George Parlier (parlierg at si dot edu) with the words “Richardson Symposium” as the subject line in your email.

This free symposium will take place in the new Nan Tucker McEvoy Auditorium at the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture (8th and F Sts. NW).

Image by David Lenz, Sam and the Perfect World, winner of the 2006 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition