National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., is one of the world’s leading cultural institutions, welcoming millions of visitors each year to engage with art across centuries and continents. Founded in 1937 as a gift to the American people, the museum embodies a commitment to accessibility and learning, offering free admission to its West and East Buildings, the Sculpture Garden, and all exhibitions and public programs. Its mission extends beyond preserving masterpieces—it is dedicated to fostering creativity, reflection, and dialogue about our shared human experience through art.

The Gallery’s collection is vast and diverse, comprising nearly 160,000 works that span the history of art from ancient times to the present day. Visitors encounter celebrated paintings, sculptures, photographs, prints, and decorative arts by renowned masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Johannes Vermeer, Rembrandt, Claude Monet, and Jackson Pollock. Alongside these highlights are important holdings of American art, modern and contemporary works, and a growing collection of media arts that reflect the evolving nature of artistic expression.

The museum is housed in two landmark buildings on the National Mall: the classical West Building, designed by John Russell Pope, and the modernist East Building, designed by architect I. M. Pei. Between them lies the beloved Sculpture Garden, an outdoor oasis where visitors encounter large-scale works by artists such as Alexander Calder and Roy Lichtenstein amid seasonal gardens and a winter ice rink.

Through its exhibitions, educational programs, and online resources, the National Gallery of Art connects audiences of all backgrounds to the transformative power of art. Whether discovering timeless works in its galleries or exploring new perspectives through its innovative programming, the Gallery offers a place of inspiration, reflection, and discovery at the heart of the nation’s capital.