National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art is located in Washington D.C in the National Mall. It was established by the Congress in 1937.

History:

Andrew W. Mellon, financier and art collector, started collecting paintings and sculptures in the early 1920’s. His intention was to provide the country with a national art gallery. On Mellon’s death in 1937, the Congress accepted his collection and building funds and backed up the establishment of a museum on the National Mall. The structure was designed by John Russell Pope and completed and accepted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on 17th March 1941. The construction of a National Gallery encouraged other collectors to donate substantial art collections. In the 1970’s an East Building was built on the remaining bit of land. The new building was to accommodate the modern paintings, drawings, sculptures, prints and the study & research centers and offices of the Gallery. The two buildings of the museum, the East Building and the West Building are connected by an underground passage.

The West Building houses the European sculptures and paintings from the late 19th century and pre 20th century. The East Building houses modern and contemporary art and also has the offices of the NGA, a research facility and Center for the advanced Study in the Visual Arts.

Collections at National Gallery of Art:

The National Gallery of Art has one of the best collections in the world. Paintings include those from America, British, 16th & 17th century Dutch and Flemish artists, France (17th, 18th and 19th century), Italy (13th, 14th, 15th, 16th 17th and 18th century), North Europe and Spain as well as Modern and Contemporary paintings. Sculptures are available from 14th and 19th century Europe. Apart from these there are various prints, paper works, decorative arts and photographs on display at the Washington based National Gallery of Art.