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National Gallery of Art

National Mall, Washington DC

08 copyright havecamerawilltravel com 2 1068x710 - National Gallery of Art

An LED light installation by American artist Leo Villareal titled Multiverse (2008) connecting the old and new buildings. The thousands of individual lights are programmed to move in a display as the pedestrians move along the walkway. Photo by David Coleman

Museums & Galleries
Museums, National Mall, Washington DC

Washington DC has an extraordinarily large number of world-class museums and galleries, and the National Gallery of Art is among the very best. It houses one of the finest collections of paintings and sculptures in the world. On permanent display are works by Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Raphael, Botticelli, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Goya, Manet, Monet, Rodin, Degas, and many, many more. It’d take many hours to see everything, but even on a short visit you’re going to see something pretty extraordinary.

Although the gallery sits on a prime spot on the National Mall alongside the Smithsonian museums (and opposite the National Air and Space Museum) it is not actually a part of the Smithsonian Institution system. It is, however, publicly funded, established by an act of Congress in 1938, with Andrew Mellon providing his personal collection to get things started.

The gallery is housed in two impressive but architecturally distinct buildings and an adjacent sculpture garden; all make for beautiful spaces for showcasing art. The classical art is housed in the older of the two buildings, the West Building, and features wood-paneled galleries, marble hallways, a magnificent atrium, and indoor gardens. And even with the huge numbers of visitors the gallery attracts, it’s always possible to find a quiet spot to enjoy the art.

The modern art is housed in the East Building across the street. While it’s possible to move between them at ground level by crossing the street, a better way to use the underground walkway featuring an eye-level waterfall and a moving walkway with an animated light display. But wandering among through either building makes for quite an oasis from the bustle outside.

Photos of the National Gallery of Art

National Gallery of Art Rotunda

The main rotunda of the original building. The flower “garden” around the fountain in the middle changes with the season. Photo by David Coleman

Interior of the National Gallery of Art, West Wing, on the National Mall, Washington DC.

Photo by David Coleman

Interior of the National Gallery of Art, West Wing, on the National Mall, Washington DC.

One of the many sculptures in the West Wing of the gallery. Photo by David Coleman

National Gallery of Art Galleries

Photo by David Coleman

National Gallery of Art Bruce Nauman

A temporary exhibit of works by Bruce Nauman in the new wing. Photo by David Coleman

National Gallery of Art Galleries Bernardino Luini

Bernardino Luini paintings. Photo by David Coleman

National Gallery of Art Galleries

Photo by David Coleman

National Gallery of Art Rotunda

The main rotunda of the West Wing. Photo by David Coleman

National Gallery of Art Lights Installation Multiverse

Multiverse, by Leo Villareal. Photo by David Coleman

National Gallery of Art East Building

The East Building. Photo by David Coleman

National Gallery of Art East Building stairs

A stairway in the East Building. Photo by David Coleman

National Gallery of Art - Alexander Calder

Works by Alexander Calder. Photo by David Coleman

Interior of the National Gallery of Art, West Wing, on the National Mall, Washington DC.

Painting of Sain Veronica by Hans Memling. Photo by David Coleman

National Gallery of Art

Photo by David Coleman

National Gallery of Art

Photo by David Coleman

National Gallery of Art Columns

Looking out the main entrance across the National Mall to the National Air and Space Museum (the black building in the center of the frame). Photo by David Coleman

Interior of the National Gallery of Art, West Wing, on the National Mall, Washington DC.

A fountain in one of the quiet garden areas inside the West Wing. Photo by David Coleman

How to Get to the National Gallery of Art

The most convenient metro stops are Archives/Navy Memorial (Yellow and Green lines; 0.2 miles); Judiciary Square (Red line; 0.5 miles), and Smithsonian (Blue and Orange lines; 0.7 miles).

Admission is always free, but some special exhibitions require passes. There are several cafes and eateries within the complex as well as some unusually good gift shops (one of my regular stops for holiday gift shopping).

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Official Website

http://www.nga.gov/

Taking Photos at the National Gallery of Art

In general, personal photography is allowed, although there are some areas where it’s restricted, so check for signs on each gallery.

Tripods are not allowed.

There’s no blanket ban on using flash, but it’s restricted in several places, as is typical in many art galleries. Many of the main spaces are quite well-lit, often with natural light, although there are also areas with low lighting.

Your bags will be searched when you enter the building and you’ll be asked to put any large bags or backpacks in the free coat check.

Nearby & Related:

  • Photo of Smithsonian American Art and Portraiture Museum Interior Courtyard
    Smithsonian American Art Museum & National Portrait Gallery
  • 02 copyright havecamerawilltravel com - National Museum of African Art
    National Museum of African Art
  • 185-150554797 Sackler Gallery Buddha Head.
    Sackler Gallery
  • 185-154133825 Freer Gallery of Art Peacock Room Wide Shot.
    Freer Gallery of Art
  • Seal lions at the National Zoo
    Smithsonian National Zoological Park (National Zoo)
  • Photo of National Aquarium Tropical Reef
    National Aquarium

Washington DC Visitor Guides

If you're coming in from out of town, here are some of the most popular guidebooks that can help you make the most of your visit.

Lonely Planet Washington, DC (City Guide)
Lonely Planet Washington, DC (City Guide)
  • Lonely Planet (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon, Alexandria & Annapolis...
Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon, Alexandria & Annapolis...
  • Fodor's Travel Guides (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
Frommer's EasyGuide to Washington, D.C. 2020
Frommer's EasyGuide to Washington, D.C. 2020
  • Pratt, Meredith (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
  • Fortier, Alison (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon

And here are some interesting options for less traditional guidesbooks if you'd like an emphasis on exploring DC on foot or diving into some of the region's rich history.

National Geographic Walking Washington, D.C. (National Geographic Walking...
National Geographic Walking Washington, D.C. (National Geographic Walking...
  • NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
  • Kennedy, Barbara Noe (Author)
Check Price on Amazon
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
  • Fortier, Alison (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit.

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Location: National Mall
Coordinates:
      Latitude: 38.891270
      Longitude: -77.019991

      # Museums & Galleries
      # Museums
      # National Mall
      # Washington DC



About David Coleman

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living.

I’m based in Washington, DC.

You can find more of my work at havecamerawilltravel.com.

And if you’re visiting DC in the spring, be sure to check out my DC Cherry Blossom Watch site.

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

Licensing Images

Looking for travel stock photos or prints? I might be able to help. You can search my collection here:

If you already have a buyer account with Alamy and would prefer to use that, you can search my images directly here.

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Photos by David Coleman. Please contact me for licensing images.
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