Like many major cities, DC houses fantastic works of art in its museums and galleries. But in the nation’s capital, many of these collections are open to the public—and they’re free of charge. Located on the National Mall, the National Gallery of Art houses the only Leonardo da Vinci in the Western Hemisphere, plus a remarkable collection of works by Monet, Rembrandt, Goya and other masters in its West Wing. In the I.M. Pei-designed East Wing, you’ll find mobiles by Calder and prints by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and other notable contemporary artists.
American art enthusiasts won’t want to miss a trip to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery, which reopened in July 2006 after a six-year renovation. The galleries are filled with works by Winslow Homer, Thomas Hart Benton, George Catlin, Georgia O’Keefe and other notable artists, plus the only complete collection of presidential portraits outside of the White House.
DC’s privately-owned art galleries charge admission, but they’re well worth the reasonable entrance fees. Only at The Phillips Collection, America’s first museum of modern art, can you view Renoir’s “The Luncheon of the Boating Party” in its permanent home and a selection of Mark Rothko’s famous abstract impressionist paintings in a room designed by the artist himself. The city’s oldest art museum, the Corcoran Gallery of Art regularly plays host to major art, culture and photography exhibitions. The Textile Museum, Kreeger Museum and National Museum of Women in the Arts are also must-sees.
While DC celebrates great artists through the ages, the city keeps pace with the contemporary art world as well. Take a stroll along 14th Street near Logan Circle for a glimpse of the vibrant modern gallery scene. A former automobile dealership, the Arts Building at 1515 14th St. NW is now home to four art galleries specializing in prints, photography and contemporary arts. Trendy furniture and home furnishings stores abound in the neighborhood, one of the city’s liveliest residential quarters. Or, take a stroll through the emerging Atlas District in Northeast DC, where you'll find contemporary creations at locations like Dissident Display (421 H St. NE).
You’ll find more galleries situated in and around the Dupont Circle and Penn Quarter neighborhood. Still others are tucked away in Georgetown.
