Who Created the National Gallery of Art Facts About the National Gallery of Art Open

National Gallery of Art

open Monday-Sat: 
10am-5pm
 | Sun: 11am-6pm Gratis

national gallery of art in Washington DC cherub fountain

National Gallery of Art - Eastward & West Buildings

The National Gallery of Fine art DC was created in 1937. Through the generosity of Andrew W. Mellon, a financier who was likewise a public servant, the Museum gained its first collection. Mellon had a passion for fine art and his large collection of erstwhile master paintings, sculpture and other works were intended for all of America to enjoy. Later on his death, Congress accepted his collection and thus the National Gallery was built-in.

national gallery of art in Washington DC

Whether you lot're an experienced art connoisseur or you just enjoy strolling through museums, you should finish by the National Gallery of Art DC while on vacation in Washington DC. One of the world's premiere museums, the Gallery has more than 140,000 pieces that include paintings, sculptures and decorative arts likewise as drawings, prints and photographs. Exhibits span the history of Western art from the Middle Ages up to the nowadays time. Unique pieces in the extensive collection include self-portraits by Rembrandt and van Gogh.

History of the National Gallery

Andrew Mellon's Lasting Contribution

Pittsburgh broker and later on Secretary of the Treasury, Andrew Mellon played an instrumental role in the museums cosmos. In addition to his extensive private drove, Mellon worked to amass items for a new national fine art museum during the 1920s. Major acquisitions included Raphael'south Alba Madonna and other pieces from the Hermitage Museum in Russia. Mellon offered to donate the collection, contribute funds to construct a edifice and endow a museum to preserve and brandish the collection. An Act of Congress established the National Gallery of Art DC and its adjacent Sculpture Garden in 1937.

jefferson memorial panoramicAn Original Work of Art

The original museum, at present known as the Westward Building, was designed past architect John Russell Pope, who also designed the Jefferson Memorial. The Neoclassical-style edifice is made from pink Tennessee marble and features a dome rotunda modeled after the interior of the Pantheon in Rome. Wings off the rotunda avowal heaven-lit exhibition halls. Completed in 1941, the building occupies the site of the former Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station where disgruntled role seeker Charles Guiteau assassinated President James Garfield in 1881.

Opening to the Public

Neither Pope nor Mellon lived to see President Franklin Roosevelt open the museum in 1941 considering they died 4 years earlier. As Mellon had anticipated, the opening of the Gallery encouraged other patrons of the arts to donate all or portions of their collections for the benefit of the public. Founding benefactors include Samuel Kress, Ailsa Mellon Bruce and Lessing Rosenwald.

Building Another Masterpiece

The East Edifice was completed in 1978. The work of famed architect I. K. Pei, the award-winning building features dramatic geometric designs, including trapezoidal and triangular shapes. The high atrium with its open court is the building'southward well-nigh striking characteristic. Mellon's children, Paul and Ailsa, funded the structure. The final element of the Gallery was completed with the addition of the Sculpture Garden 21 years afterwards. Not part of the Smithsonian Establishment, the museum is operated every bit a public-private partnership. The federal government allocates funds for the museum'due south operations while fine art pieces are acquired past donation or with private funds.

Its Diverse Collections

In addition to its special exhibitions that include traveling collections from other art museums located around the world, the Gallery is also home to three distinct areas.

West Edifice

Once the largest marble building in the world, the West Building houses the museum's collection of erstwhile masters and historic works. Paintings and sculptures by European masters from medieval times through the belatedly 19th century fill the galleries. There are impressive works past pre-20th century American artists likewise. Highlights of this portion of the Gallery's collection include pieces by Vermeer, Monet and da Vinci.

East Building

In contrast, the East Building highlights the Gallery'southward collection of modern and contemporary pieces. The building is also habitation to the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts, a research and educational facility. Pieces on brandish in the East Building include works by Picasso and Matisse every bit well every bit Alexander Calder, Jackson Pollack and Andy Warhol. Recent special exhibitions featured Barnett Newman's series entitled "The Stations of the Cross," "Three Centuries of American Prints" and "Bronze Sculptures of the Hellenistic Earth." In addition, a brandish commemorated the "Monuments Men" who helped protect priceless works at the end of World State of war Ii. Their exploits were too depicted in a 2014 picture show by the same name.

Sculpture Garden

After thirty years of planning, the Sculpture Garden opened in 1999. Designed by landscape architect Laurie Olin, the garden features American species of canopy and flowering copse, ornamental shrubs, ground cover and colorful perennials. A reflecting pool and fountain beautify the centre of the garden. Arching pathways are lined with modern, colossal sculptures by a diverseness of artists, including Roy Lichtenstein and Louise Bourgeois.

Museum Information & Travel Tips

aerial view of washington dc at duskLocation & Hours of Performance

Located on the National Mall, the National Gallery of Fine art DC and Sculpture Garden bridge Constitution Avenue, NW from Third to Ninth Streets. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.k. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.1000. The Gallery is closed on Christmas and New Year's Day. The E and West Buildings each have a public entrance and are connected by an underground moving sidewalk. Admission is free of charge.

Parking & Directions

Parking near the Gallery is limited. The closest Metro stops are Archives-Penn Quarter-Navy Memorial on the Yellow/Green Lines, Judiciary Square on the Red Line and the Smithsonian Stop on the Blue/Orangish Lines. In that location are also several nearby Metro autobus stops. Visit the Washington Metropolitan Surface area Transit Authorization website for electric current schedules.

Additional Features

In that location are several free, docent-led, cocky-guided and audio tours bachelor. For those looking to catch a bite to eat betwixt collections, there are iv on-site cafes offer a variety of espressos, gelatos, soups and sandwiches. And for travelers visiting in the summer, the Gallery sponsors outdoor concerts in the W Garden Courtyard and the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden.

Nearby Attractions

smithsonian museum natural history in Washington DCMuseum of Natural History

Located just to the west of the Gallery, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History features a drove of more than 126 one thousand thousand artifacts, including the Hope Diamond. Famous for its Dinosaur Room, it is the third virtually visited museum in the earth.

national archivesNational Athenaeum

Housing the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Pecker of Rights, the National Archives is the repository for many of the nation's nigh important documents. Other key items in the archives include the Emancipation Annunciation, the Louisiana Purchase Treaty and an original version of the Magna Carta from 1297.

air space museum in Washington DCNational Air and Infinite Museum

Containing the Wright Brothers' 1903 Flyer, Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis and an actual moon rock, the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum chronicles the history of manned flight and space exploration. The museum also has a flight simulator, a planetarium and an IMAX theater.

us capitol in Washington DCU.Due south. Capitol Building

Situated at the eastern end of the National Mall, the U.S. Capitol Edifice is one of the most magnificent buildings in Washington, DC. A symbol of American republic, the building is open for public tours and allows visitors to witness government in action. You'll gain insight into the legislative process and learn the history of key political figures.

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Source: https://www.trolleytours.com/washington-dc/national-gallery-of-art

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