Artistic prestige and elegance at the National Gallery of Art

Founded in 1937 on the National Mall in Washington D.C. thanks to the generous donation of financier and philanthropist Andrew Mellon accepted by U.S. Congress, this major public institution opened to the public in 1941. Housed in a majestic Neoclassical building designed by John Russell Pope and expanded by I.M. Pei’s East Building, it officially stands as the national fine arts museum of the United States.

Preserving an exceptional holding of Western paintings covering the period from the Middle Ages to the present day, the establishment houses the only Leonardo da Vinci canvas preserved on the American continent, the Portrait of Ginevra de’ Benci. The galleries display masterpieces by Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, Monet, Renoir, and Cézanne. The collection illustrates the heights of the Renaissance and impressionism with remarkable conservation standards.

A major symbol of the American nation’s cultural commitment, this exceptional museum offers entirely free admission to its collections to foster artistic knowledge and passion. Its rigorous educational and scientific research programs enjoy a top-tier international reputation. It stands as a pivotal institution in the global artistic landscape.

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