National Gallery of Arts

Why the National Gallery of Arts is special
The National Gallery of Arts in Washington, D.C. has an extensive collection of artwork of the masters from the Middle Ages to the modern era.

National Gallery of Arts tips and insights
When to come
Avoid Sunday afternoons if possible. It is most crowded then. Mornings are better. Also, weekdays are better than weekends - and winter is better than summer.

Buildings
There are two, each with a different focus:

• West Wing
  It has a neo-classic architectural design. It houses precious paintings and sculptures by European and American masters. The list includes Botticelli, El Greco, Raphael, Renoir, Rembrandt (see his self-portrait above), and Whistler. The West Wing also boasts the only Leonardo da Vinci painting in the Western Hemisphere.
  
• East Wing
  It is a striking ultramodern building freely using angular shapes. It features works by the likes of Picasso, Matisse and Warhol. The skylit atrium is dominated by a suspended Calder mobile.

There is also a large outdoor sculpture garden.

Retrospectives
Besides showcasing its permanent collection, the National Gallery of Arts organizes a number of interesting temporary special exhibitions, including retrospectives.

Not part of the Smithsonian
Because of its proximity to some of the Smithsonian museums, many visitors erroneously think that the National Gallery of Arts is part of that institute. The two are affiliated but independent of each other.

Admission
General admission is free. Extras include certain special exhibitions and the rental of the audio tour (which I recommend to first-time visitors).

Visitor count
The National Gallery of Art attracts over six millions visitors per year.

Location in America