After exploring the Museum of African American Art and Culture earlier in the day, I headed down Constitution Avenue to visit the National Gallery of Art. This was one of my top priority museums to visit on this trip! I was excited to finally be going.
I took a shortcut through the National Gallery Sculpture Garden. I’m not exactly sure what this is, but it caught my eye.
Inside the National Gallery, right out of the gate I saw several impressionist paintings I instantly recognized.
Vincent van Gough’s Green Wheat Fields
August Renoir’s Oarsmen at Chatou
I had never seen this painting by Gustavo Caillebotte called Skiffs. I loved the use of color to capture light on the water.
I had entered the gallery from the side door entrance so it took me time to figure out how to go through the galleries without missing anything. I’m sure I may have missed something, but what I saw was inspiring. There were many well-known pieces here, and many captivating paintings I’ve never seen.
At the center of the main floor, there are beautiful courtyards, one with a water fountain, and another with large bronze sculptures.
Click on an image below to view images full width.
In one gallery, an artist was painting.
I took my time walking through the galleries. I really loved this painting of a woman writing at a table called The Writer by Mary Bradish Titcomb.
A large oil painting of George Washington riding his horse is hung in one stairwell.
Exhibits also included many sculptures as well as an exhibit on furniture. A particular piece caught my eye. It was a combination writing desk and toilet from 1764. Yes, that’s right: a toilet. They did not display how the toilet worked thankfully.
I found the Gallery’s cafe and ordered lunch which consisted of an amazingly strong Americano with cream. It was extremely delicious! I also ordered a chicken pesto flatbread.
The flatbread was a departure from my usual low carb way of eating, but I was hungry and tired and needed food. I had packed some snacks to bring along with me that day, but forgot them at the apartment.
This was a wonderful afternoon spending a leisurely time doing what I enjoy—-looking at art!
I will leave you with a few more of some well-known pieces, but you may view all of photos I took in my Flickr album.
Hirshhorn Museum
After resting for a while and having lunch, I headed over to the Hirshhorn Museum to check out some modern art including an installation by Laurie Anderson which was a black and white room filled with compelling graffiti, a yellow canoe, and a giant crow.
Whew! It was an exhausting but fulfilling day to see all of this amazing art. Tomorrow I will be checking out some other museums including the Holocaust memorial museum.
