When and how did the art museum appear

Art museums are similar to each other, but there are unique examples. These include the Washington Gallery. Why? Very simple: most of the works presented there do not exist anywhere else in the world, even in the format of reproductions.

The National Gallery of Washington is one of the most visited art museums in the world, second only to the Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan in New York.

The institution, although it looks great, is in fact quite young — the gallery was organized by decision of the Congress in the middle of the 20th century. The basis was the collection of billionaire Andrew Mellon.

Being a fan of painting, he had been collecting world masterpieces in his mansion all his life. When in the 1930s the USSR began to sell the valuables from the Hermitage collection, Mellon bought it up almost entirely.

In the will of the collector, all the objects of art accumulated by him over his life went to the state with $10 million in addition. Such a generous gift was supposed to be used to create a state museum in the capital.

No sooner said than done: after the death of Mellon, Congress initiated the laying of the National Gallery of Art. After that, other collectors joined the good undertaking, replenishing the already rich collection with new masterpieces.

Whose work is exhibited at the Washington Art Gallery

List all artists and sculptors is hardly possible. But you will definitely find the originals of the works of da Vinci, van Gogh, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Titian and Raphael. From the segment of contemporary art, Warhol, Picasso, Matisse, Dali, Pollock, Calder and others are represented.

Gallery Building and Sculpture Garden

The building was designed by John Pope, one of America’s top neoclassical experts. In March 1941, Roosevelt personally solemnly opened a gallery on the National Alley. At that time, it was the largest building in the world of white marble.

Until the 70s, the National Gallery consisted of one building, but later another appeared, connected to the first underpass. Now the old, neoclassical building is called the Western branch, there are classical masterpieces of painting. The second, eastern building presents a collection of contemporary art.

The Sculpture Garden is adjacent to the west wing. And this is not just a beautiful garden with compositions — this is a real collection of masterpieces with an area of 25,000 square meters. In the center there is a beautiful fountain so that the atmosphere makes an even more pleasant impression. And in winter, an ice rink is poured in the garden.

Andrew Mellon would certainly be pleased with such a meeting of masters. What is it, Mellon — the whole world is watching and rejoicing.

And if you have not been to the National Gallery, then this urgently needs to be fixed — American Butler will be happy to tell you about the main places and events in the USA!

We will answer your questions and make the best excursion routes in Washington and other cities.