 Complete the following phrase:  The paintings at the Smithsonian American Art Museum represent the United States governments oldest art collection; in its 160-year history, the museum had not received much detrimental publicity before this exhibition. Several key factors, including a prominent venue, skillful promotion, widespread publicity, an elaborate catalog, and the importance of the artworks themselves, all contributed to the impact of the exhibition. Timing also played a part in fostering public response both pro and con, as the shows run coincided with events such as the collapse of the Soviet Union, the 