Artful Reasons to Get Out of Town

Some art exhibits can be worth an out-of-town trip, and fall is prime season. Among those opening this month:

* Washington, D.C.: “Art Nouveau, 1890-1914,” billed as the largest and most comprehensive show ever on the subject, played at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum through the summer. It opens today at the National Gallery of Art. More than 350 works, from paintings to jewelry to furniture. Through Jan 28. Free. Telephone (202) 737-4215, Internet https://www.nga.gov.

Also in D.C., the American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery hosts two quilt exhibits: “Amish Quilts From the Collection of Faith and Stephen Brown” and “Spirits of Cloth: Contemporary Quilts by African American Artists.” The first focuses on classic quilts from 1880 to 1940, the second on creations by the Women of Color Quilters Network. Both through Jan. 21. Free. Tel. (202) 357-2700, Internet https://www.AmericanArt.si.edu.

* San Francisco: “Celebrating Modern Art: The Anderson Collection,” with 350 works, is the largest exhibit ever mounted by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. From the private collection of Bay Area entrepreneur Harry W. Anderson and his wife, Mary Margaret, it includes art by Mark Rothko, Max Ernst, Jackson Pollock and Alberto Giacometti. Through Jan. 15. $9 adult admission. Tel. (415) 357-4000, Internet https://www.sfmoma.org. A companion exhibit, from the Andersons’ graphic arts collection, is at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor. Through Dec. 31. $8 adults. Tel. (415) 863-3330, Internet https://www.thinker.org.

* New York City: “Edward Steichen,” at the Whitney Museum of American Art, is billed as the first major retrospective of the photographer’s work in 40 years. Besides nearly 200 photos, including portraits of Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, George Bernard Shaw and others, it presents rarely seen paintings and textiles designed by Steichen (1879-1973). Through Feb. 4. $10 adults. Tel. (212) 570-3676.

And one for children (and the young at heart): “Good Grief!” is an interactive exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, inspired by Charles Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip. It is based on the strip’s recurrent scenarios, such as playing World War I flying ace and navigating kites past the dreaded kite-eating tree. Through October 2001. $6 ages 1 year and older. Tel. (212) 721-1223.

* Pittsburgh: “Aluminum by Design: Jewelry to Jets,” opening Oct. 28 at the Carnegie Museum of Art, is billed as the first major exhibit to focus on the pliable metal. The show’s 300 objects include a Rolls-Royce and designs by couturier Paco Rabanne, jeweler Rene Lalique and Charles and Ray Eames. Through Feb. 11. $6 adults. Tel. (412) 622-3131.