National Gallery of Art (West Building and Sculpture Garden)

The National Gallery of Art occupies the north side of the National Mall in Washington, DC, in the United States, between 3rd and 9th Streets NW. The neoclassical West Building, opened in 1941, is built of pink Tennessee marble and holds European and American art from the Middle Ages to the early twentieth century, including the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci in the Americas, Ginevra de' Benci. Galleries also hold major works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, Monet, Van Gogh and the American painters of the nineteenth century. The East Building, a modernist structure by I. M. Pei, connects by an underground concourse and presents modern and contemporary art. Across 7th Street, the Sculpture Garden provides a landscaped space with a fountain pool, shaded paths and works by artists such as Louise Bourgeois and Roy Lichtenstein, and in winter the pool becomes a skating rink. Admission is free. Hours are Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 11am to 6pm, with closures on December 25 and January 1. A visit typically takes two to four hours, but the collection easily fills a full day. The Garden Court in the West Building, with its fountain and plants, is a popular place to rest. The best photo angles are the rotunda, the Garden Court and the Sculpture Garden fountain. Crowds peak on weekends and school holidays; weekday mornings and Sunday afternoons are calmer. Guided tours and audio programs are available.