National Art Gallery

Immerse yourself in culture from two separate eras. This is what the National Gallery of Art offers. The museum is made up of two buildings that are in itself works of art. The two buildings proudly stand on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., through the funding of the United States Congress with major contribution by Andrew W. Mellon.

First erected was the West Building constructed in 1941. The neoclassical building was designed in such a way that it will remind you of the Pantheon in Rome. The West Building houses an extensive collection of European art works from the medieval period. Its classic architecture compliments the works of Rembrandt, Van Gogh and da Vinci.

Linked by an underground passage is the East Building. It was built in 1978 to house modern and contemporary art works. Art pieces from Picasso, Matisse, Pollock, Warhol and Calder are displayed side by side chronicling the poetry of 20th century art.

Students, visitors and history buffs can satisfy their thirst for art through different means. They can take audio tours or guided tours. Foreigners need not worry about language barrier because they can always request for foreign language tours. Lectures and talks are also frequently scheduled for the benefit of students or any one who seek self-improvement. National Gallery of Art have also recently adopted the modern means of proliferating art and culture by having podcasts and video presentations.

National Gallery of Art is more than a venue for educational tour. It is a visitor attraction that fosters appreciation of art and culture. With its two buildings, it is a marriage of medieval and contemporary art. It is a place to admire the past that eventually help us appreciate what is yet to come.

National Art Gallery