INSIDE
TIPS
WHAT'S
NEW
The National Gallery of Art is a world-renowned collection of American and
European paintings, sculptures and graphic arts. Separated by 4th street on the National
Mall, the National Gallery is divided into the West Building and the East Building
designed by I.M. Pei.
The National Gallery of Art is divided into two buildings, the West Building and the
East Building. If one wanted to tour the Gallery in chronological order, they would want
to start in the West Building.
Starting with works from the 13th century, highlights of the West Building include
works of Titian, Renoir, Monet and Rubens.
Home to a permanent collection of works from the 13th 19th century, the West
Building of the National Gallery of Art also has temporary exhibits. This summer the
"Collectors Cabinet" exhibit is featured. It consists of diminutive 17th
century Dutch and Flemish works of art. The Gallery is open every day and conducts
multi-lingual tours. A tape-recorded tour is also available for $4.
The East Building of the National Gallery was designed by
I.M. Pei, and is a notable
for several features -the most famous of which is the sharp angle of the southwest corner
that has been rounded by thousands of visitors touching the wall.
Inside the building is a collection of modern art. The huge Alexander Calder mobile
"untitled" that is suspended from the atrium is a great invitation to the
exhibits. Like the West Building, the East building has an enormous permanent collection
as well as temporary exhibits. Permanent pieces include works by Picasso,
Miro, Kandinsky
and Pollack.