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Preview a Photographic Record of John F. Kennedy’s Life and Career

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When President John F. Kennedy said in 1962 that cameras were the best inspectors, he was talking about the ability to use aerial photography to assess the state of an arms build-up in Cuba. Now, however, as the nation prepares to celebrate the centennial of his May 29, 1917, birth, the Smithsonian American Art Museum is demonstrating that the remark can be interpreted in more than one way.

Kennedy himself was frequently the interest of photographers’ cameras. Not only was he the President of the United States, he also had youthful good looks and a famous sense of style — and the luck to come to power just at a moment when American photojournalism was experiencing what the Smithsonian refers to as a “golden age.” As a result, the photographic record of his time in office and his career leading up to those few short years is vast.

The images above are just a few of the dozens of such photographs, from a variety of sources, that will be displayed at the museum starting Wednesday as part of the new exhibition American Visionary: John F. Kennedy’s Life and Times. The show, which coincides with the release of the new book JFK: A Vision for America, edited by Stephen Kennedy Smith and Douglas Brinkley, will be on view through Sept. 17, before going on the road.

“It is our hope that the compelling images of President Kennedy’s life and work on view in this exhibition will remind visitors not only of the values that defined his presidency,” said Smith, the 35th President’s nephew, in a statement about the exhibit, “but also will introduce him to new audiences and future leaders.”

John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy photo booth portrait.
Photo booth portrait, 1953. (Courtesy John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum).Courtesy of Smithsonian American Art Museum
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Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts, 1957. © Philippe Halsman (Courtesy Magnum Photos).Courtesy of Smithsonian American Art Museum
John F. Kennedy [& Family];Caroline B. Kennedy
Jack with daughter Caroline, Georgetown, Washington, DC, March 25, 1958. © Ed Clark (Courtesy The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images).Courtesy of Smithsonian American Art Museum
The Kennedys Wave From Car
Senator Kennedy’s return home, Barnstable Municipal Airport, Hyannis, Massachusetts, July 1960. © Paul Schutzer (Courtesy The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images) Courtesy of Smithsonian American Art Museum
Senator John F. Kennedy checking over a speech during the Presidential campaign.
Kennedy preparing a speech, Baltimore, September 1960. © Paul Schutzer (Courtesy The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)Courtesy of Smithsonian American Art Museum
John F. Kennedy and family Waiting for election results, Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, November 9, 1960.
Waiting for election results, Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, November 9, 1960. © Jaques Lowe (Courtesy the Jacques Lowe Estate)Courtesy of Smithsonian American Art Museum
John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy head to the inauguration ceremony, Washington, DC, January 20, 1961.
The First Couple head to the inauguration ceremony, Washington, DC, January 20, 1961. © Paul Schutzer (Courtesy The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)Courtesy of Smithsonian American Art Museum
John F. Kennedy boards the Caroline, 1960.
Kennedy boards the Caroline, 1960. © Jacques Lowe (Courtesy the Jacques Lowe Estate)Courtesy of Smithsonian American Art Museum
President Kennedy tours NASA facilities in Huntsville, Alabama, September 11, 1961.
President Kennedy tours NASA facilities in Huntsville, Alabama, September 11, 1961. © Bob Gomel (Courtesy The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images)Courtesy of Smithsonian American Art Museum
President John F. Kennedy in the oval Office, January 1961.
Oval Office, Washington, DC, January 1961. © Jacques Lowe (Courtesy The Jacques Lowe Estate)Courtesy of Smithsonian American Art Museum

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Write to Lily Rothman at lily.rothman@time.com