National Gallery of Art - National Gallery of Art information and pictures



The National Gallery of Art is the cultural cornerstone, of Washington, DC’s group of superb museums lining the National Mall. Originally founded, and financially supported by wealthy art collector, Andrew W. Mellon, the National Gallery opened in 1941, with a magnificent collection of Masterpieces from the United States and Europe, spanning the 12th to the present century. Perhaps, one of the finest art museums in the world, with a stunning, and comprehensive collection of old Masters, modern works of art and sculptures, housed in two, architecturally distinct buildings constructed from pink marble.

Not to be missed are, Leonardo da Vinci’s “Ginevra de' Benci”, the only da Vinci painting available for public viewing in the Western Hemisphere, Titian’s, “Venus with a Mirror” and Jan van Eyck’s, the “Annunciation”, to name just a few of the many treasures that await any visitor.

The Art and Architecture - Renowned architect, John Russell Pope, designed the original, National Gallery building, now known as the West Wing, in a neoclassical style, with a portico, dome and columns in pink marble, making it the largest marble building in the country, at the time, in 1941. Pope also designed the Jefferson Memorial in a similar neoclassical style. The permanent collections feature Masterpieces, originally owned by Catherine II of Russia that includes works by, Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Raphael, Whistler, Vincent Van Gogh, Jan Vermeer, Monet and Rembrandt.

The East Wing is a stunning, award winning, geometric, modern building designed by architect, I.M. Pei, which showcases the National Gallery of Art’s modern collection. I.M. Pei also designed the inverted glass pyramid of the Louvre in Paris. Works by artists, Andy Warhol, Picasso, Calder, Matisse, Rothko and Joan Miro are featured. The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden has exhibits of modern sculpture in a serene, outdoor garden setting, covering six acres with an outdoor café and a lovely fountain that is used for ice skating in the winter months.

Where is the National Gallery of Art: 401 Constitution Ave NW, across from the National Mall

How to get to the National Gallery of Art: Subway to Judiciary Square Station ( Red Line), Archives Station (Yellow/Green Lines), and Smithsonian Station (Blue/Orange Lines)

Opening hours: Monday - Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

For more information on current events visit the National Gallery of Art web site.

Washington



Please help us build a better site. Add your comments about National Gallery of Art here.

User Comments about National Gallery of Art