John La Farge’s “Water Lily in Sunlight” courtesy the Smithsonian Museum of American Art

Written by DCist contributor Monica Shores

We can admit it. Sometimes, appreciating art can be like eating vegetables; you know it’s good for you, but there’s no assurance the experience will be enjoyable. The Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Graphic Master I exhibit is something of a vegetable side dish. It’s devoid of sensational subject matter and primary colors, the aspects most likely to catch and hold a contemporary American’s attention. The hour I spent in the three rooms containing the collection remained empty even of security guards, save for one tourist couple who stomped into the center of the room holding cameras, glanced uncertainly around at the walls, and quickly left without taking pictures.

These selections have the undeniable imprimatur of being very serious works by very serious people, and are, one must assume, consequently very character building. They imply the power to bestow viewers with the patience and maturity that were hallmarks of adults in the by-gone years, but no longer exist in the fallen citizenry of today, ruined as we were by miniskirts and MTV. When you visit, try not to be distracted by the siren song of the shamelessly bright “Devocion de Nuevo Mexico” across the hall. Focus. This is good for you. And if you can get past the earthy palettes, it might even be fun for you.