Powell, who became the Director in 1992, graduated from Williams College in Massachusetts in 1966 with a double major in Art History and European History. After graduation he joined the U.S. Navy, serving as an officer until 1969, and was in the Naval Reserves from 1976 until 1980. In 1970 Powell received his Master’s degree from Harvard, where he was a Teaching Fellow in Fine Arts from 1970 to 1974. In 1974 Powell also earned a Ph.D from Harvard, his fields of expertise including 19th and 20th century European and American art. From 1974 to 1976, at the University of Texas at Austin, he was Curator of the Michener Collection, and Assistant Professor of Art History. After that, he was a Curator, Senior Staff Assistant to the Assistant Director and Chief Curator, at the National Gallery of Art, from 1976 to 1978. From 1979 to 1980 Powell was the Executive Curator at the National Gallery, and from 1980 to 1992 he was Director of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. He returned to the National Gallery of Art in 1992. In 2005 Powell was also elected Chairman of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts.

 

Powell has published several works, including a monograph on the 19th century American artist Thomas Cole.

Powell Cherishes National Treasure; During Earl A. Powell III's stewardship, the National Gallery of Art has embarked on expansion plans and held some of the most popular exhibitions in its history (by Stephen Goode, Insight on the News)