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American Cool' at National Portrait Gallery Picks the 100 Coolest Americans (PHOTOS)

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In an effort to define what is "cool," the National Portrait Gallery in D.C. has chosen 100 American icons that it thinks embodies the national concept. See a selection of them here.

The Daily Beast

The Daily Beast

Published Feb. 7 2014 5:45AM EST

galleries/2014/02/07/american-cool-at-national-portrait-gallery-picks-the-100-coolest-americans-photos/140206-portrait-harry-mtg_mf3gwn — Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation

galleries/2014/02/07/american-cool-at-national-portrait-gallery-picks-the-100-coolest-americans-photos/140206-portrait-harry_h8fsvl — "Deborah Harry," 1978, Robert Mapplethorpe

Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation

galleries/2014/02/07/american-cool-at-national-portrait-gallery-picks-the-100-coolest-americans-photos/140206-portrait-madonna_nquv6s — "Madonna," 1983, Kate Simon

Collection of the artist Â© Kate Simon

galleries/2014/02/07/american-cool-at-national-portrait-gallery-picks-the-100-coolest-americans-photos/140206-portrait-presley_z6zkjl — "Elvis Presley," 1956, Roger Marshutz

The Estee Stanley Private Collection Â© Roger Marshutz, courtesy Peter Marshutz and the Fahey/Klein Gallery, Los Angeles, CA.

galleries/2014/02/07/american-cool-at-national-portrait-gallery-picks-the-100-coolest-americans-photos/140206-portrait-hendrix_tvl5x1 — "Jimi Hendrix," 1967, Linda McCartney
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of the photographer, Linda McCartney ÃÂ©1967 Paul McCartney / Photographer: Linda McCartney.

galleries/2014/02/07/american-cool-at-national-portrait-gallery-picks-the-100-coolest-americans-photos/140206-portrait-hepburn_fq1frk — "Audrey Hepburn," 1955, Philippe Halsman
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution Â© Philippe Halsman Archive

galleries/2014/02/07/american-cool-at-national-portrait-gallery-picks-the-100-coolest-americans-photos/140206-portrait-dean_e54pnf — "James Dean," 1954, Roy Schatt
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Schatt Â© Roy Schatt

galleries/2014/02/07/american-cool-at-national-portrait-gallery-picks-the-100-coolest-americans-photos/140206-portrait-douglas_rfnppw — "Frederick Douglass," 1856, Unidentified Artist
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; purchased with funds from an anonymous donor

galleries/2014/02/07/american-cool-at-national-portrait-gallery-picks-the-100-coolest-americans-photos/140206-portrait-basquiat_brlqsw — "Jean-Michel Basquiat," 1986, Dmitri Kasterine
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; acquired through the generosity of Norman and Beverly Cox in honor of their daughter Cara

galleries/2014/02/07/american-cool-at-national-portrait-gallery-picks-the-100-coolest-americans-photos/140206-portrait-holiday_achd3h — "Billie Holiday," 1951, Bob Willoughby
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Willoughby Â© Bob Willoughby

galleries/2014/02/07/american-cool-at-national-portrait-gallery-picks-the-100-coolest-americans-photos/140206-portrait-mcqueen_pe1jo3 — "Steve McQueen," 1962, William Claxton

Fahey/Klein Gallery, Los Angeles, CA; Â© William Claxton Estate, courtesy Fahey/Klein Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

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