National Gallery of Art Visitors Guide

The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC is a world-class art museum that displays one of the largest collections of masterpieces in the world including paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculpture, and decorative arts from the 13th century to the present. The National Gallery of Art collection includes an extensive survey of works of American, British, Italian, Flemish, Spanish, Dutch, French and German art.

Address: On the National Mall at 7th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC (202) 737-4215
See a map and directions to the National Mall

Nearest Metro Station : Judiciary Square on the Red Line, Archives on the Yellow/Green Lines, and Smithsonian on the Blue/Orange Lines

Hours: Open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Gallery is closed on December 25 and January 1.

Admission : Free

About the National Gallery of Art: The National Gallery of Art has a prime location on the National Mall, surrounded by the Smithsonian Institution, yet it is not a part of the Smithsonian. The National Gallery of Art was opened to the public in 1941 with funds provided by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The original collection of masterpieces was provided by Mellon, who was the U. S. Secretary of the Treasury and ambassador to Britain in the 1930s. Mellon collected European masterpieces and many of the Gallery’s original works were once owned by Catherine II of Russia and purchased in the early 1930s by Mellon from the Hermitage Museum in Leningrad.

The collection of the National Gallery of Art has constantly expanded and in 1978, the East Building was added to exhibit 20th century contemporary art including works by Alexander Calder, Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, and Mark Rothko. The East Building also houses the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts, a large library, photographic archives, and administrative offices. The National Gallery of Art offers a wide range of educational programs, lectures, guided tours, films, and concerts. A book store and children’s shop offer a variety of gift items.

Three café’s and a coffee bar provide lots of dining options. See more about restaurants and dining Near the National Mall.

The National Gallery Of Art Sculpture Garden, a six-acre space on the National Mall, provides an outdoor venue for art appreciation and summer entertainment. In the winter months the Sculpture Garden becomes a venue for outdoor ice skating.