# National Gallery of Art — Washington D.C., United States

> The National Gallery of Art, and its attached Sculpture Garden, is a national art museum in Washington, D.C., located on the National Mall, between 3rd and 9th Streets. Open to the public and free of charge, the museum was privately established in 1937 for the American people by a joint resolution of Congress.

## Visitor facts
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Admission: ✓ Free admission
- Free entry: Always free — no admission charge ever
- Address: Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20565, USA
- Time needed: 2–4 hours
- Official website: https://www.nga.gov/
- Facts verified: 2026-06-30

## Highlights
- Ginevra de'Benci — Leonardo da Vinci · c. 1474–1478
- The Alba Madonna — Raphael · c. 1510
- Woman Holding a Balance — Johannes Vermeer · c. 1664

## Famous works covered
- Woman with a Parasol (https://worldmuseumguide.org/artworks/woman-with-a-parasol/)

## FAQ
**Is the National Gallery of Art free to visit?**
Yes — the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. is free for all visitors. It was established in 1937 as a gift to the American people, funded by Andrew Mellon's personal collection and an endowment from the Mellon family. No tickets, reservations, or timed entry are required. It is open Monday to Saturday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Sunday 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM.

**What is the only Leonardo da Vinci painting in the Americas?**
Ginevra de' Benci (c. 1474–78) is the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci in the Americas and is in the National Gallery of Art's West Building. The small panel painting (38.8 × 36.7 cm) depicts a Florentine noblewoman named Ginevra de' Benci in front of a juniper bush (ginepro in Italian — a wordplay on her name). The reverse of the panel bears a sprig of juniper wreathed in laurel and palm with the motto 'Virtue and Honor.' The NGA acquired it from the Liechtenstein royal family in 1967 for $5 million — then the highest price ever paid for a painting.

**What are the two buildings of the National Gallery of Art?**
The NGA occupies two buildings connected by an underground concourse. The West Building, designed by John Russell Pope and opened in 1941, is a neoclassical marble structure housing the permanent collection from the Middle Ages through early 20th century — including Old Masters, Impressionism, and the Leonardo. The East Building, designed by I. M. Pei and opened in 1978, is a modernist glass-and-marble structure housing 20th-century and contemporary art, with a glass-enclosed garden court and a major Alexander Calder mobile suspended from the ceiling.

**What are the must-see works at the National Gallery of Art?**
Ginevra de' Benci by Leonardo da Vinci (only Leonardo in the Americas); The Adoration of the Magi by Fra Angelico and Fra Filippo Lippi; Girl with a Watering Can (1876) by Renoir; The Voyage of Life series (1842) by Thomas Cole — four monumental allegorical paintings; Woman with a Parasol (1875) by Monet; The Skater (1782) by Gilbert Stuart; and a superb collection of Dutch Old Masters, French Impressionism, and American paintings. The Sculpture Garden along the Mall is free and excellent.

**Is the National Gallery of Art part of the Smithsonian?**
No — despite sitting on the National Mall alongside Smithsonian museums, the National Gallery of Art is an independent institution governed by its own Board of Trustees, not the Smithsonian. It was established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1937 after Andrew Mellon donated his personal art collection and funded the construction of the West Building. The NGA is entirely separately funded and administered from the Smithsonian Institution.

**How long should I spend at National Gallery of Art?**
Plan 2–4 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.


Source: https://worldmuseumguide.org/museums/national-gallery-of-art/ — World Museum Guide, independent and ad-free.