National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art located in Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20565 is home to more than 35,000 works of art and more than 250 paintings by the world’s greatest artists. It is the first museum built in America to preserve Western art for future generations and features both European and American paintings.
In addition, it has sculpture gardens, a library, classrooms, a conservation laboratory and a restaurant. To experience the gallery as it was intended, visitors will enjoy its architecture with its neoclassical façade and classical interior design. The galleries are arranged on three floors with works from ancient Egypt to modern art being displayed on each level.
Take a tour or have a professional guide take you on a gallery crawl
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The National Gallery of Art’s tours are conducted by docents who have a deep love of art. They lead visitors through the galleries, explaining each piece and the artists’ inspiration and techniques. The docent-led tours begin in the first-floor Welcome Center, where documents are available to assist visitors. Tours leave every half hour, and last about one hour. There are also docent-led tours that focus on specific themes and artists in the collection. These tours are led by professional guides and last about 45 minutes.
Themes include American Art from the Nineteenth Century to the Present, American Art from the Colonial Period to the Civil War, American Art from the Civil War to the Present, American Art from the Gilded Age to the Progressive Era, American Art from the Progressive Era to the Present, and American Art from African American Artists to the Present.
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Visit the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art’s sculpture garden is open to the public. Located behind the building, the garden features 53 works by a variety of artists representing a variety of styles, including modern sculpture, African, Asian and Native American art. The sculptures are arranged along the length of the Sculpture Garden, which has been designed to resemble a traditional European landscape.
The garden was designed by landscape architecture firm Baskind & Gordon. The firm has designed several other gardens in Washington, D.C., including the National Arboretum and the National Mall. The garden was created using plant selections appropriate to the region, including cherry trees, cherry blossoms, dogwood shrubs, azaleas and magnolias.
Don’t miss - The Library and Conservation Laboratory at the National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art’s library features a collection of over 1.1 million books and periodicals, which are available to visitors. The collection includes books about art, art history, architecture, archaeology, literature and language, art criticism and biography, political science, and sociology. In addition, the library offers access to more than 5,000 journal articles through a digital database and 400 online journals.
The library is also home to an array of artwork, including works by Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso and many other artists. The gallery’s conservation laboratory, located next to the library, is a center for research and treatment of art objects. Experts in various fields, including conservation, have access to the laboratory to study the art and treat it if necessary.
Don’t miss - Restaurants at the National Gallery of Art
The gallery’s restaurants, including Ruth's Chris Steak House and the Grill from Wolfgang Puck, are open to the public. The Ruth’s Chris Steak House features an American Classic menu with fresh seafood, premium cuts of beef, a variety of steaks, as well as chicken and vegetarian entrees. The Grill is Wolfgang Puck’s interpretation of favorite American dishes, such as burgers, sandwiches, salads, macaroni and cheese, chicken, pasta and more.
Conclusion
The National Gallery of Art is a must-see for art fans, who will enjoy exploring the gallery’s extensive collection of paintings, sculpture, books and other works of art. Visitors can also enjoy visiting the gallery’s restaurants, which offer some of the city’s best food. The National Gallery of Art, located in Washington, D.C., is the first museum built in America to preserve Western art for future generations. The gallery features both European and American paintings, as well as sculpture gardens, a library, classrooms, a conservation laboratory and a restaurant.
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