If there are other Smithsonian museums you would like to tour in Washington DC (Freer and Sackler Galleries for Asian Art, National Museum of American History for famous historical objects (from Abe Lincoln's hat, to Dorothy's Ruby Slippers), please ask. We will arrange a tour!
Tour Titles at the National Gallery of Art
American Art
The American collection spans works from the colonial era through the 20th century. See portraits of early U.S. Presidents and dignitaries, paintings depicting scenes from various Native American tribes, works depicting historic battles, and large canvases showing vast unsettled territories, as America continued to expand westward beyond the original thirteen colonies.
Dutch & Flemish Works
With busy ports such as Antwerp and Amsterdam, the Netherlands dominated European trade during the 17th century. See how the elevated status of newly rich merchants spurred new and exciting cultural developments in art. The tour features the work of Hals, Leyster, Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck, and Vermeer, among other Dutch and Flemish artists.
French Art through Impressionism
See French paintings from the Baroque, Rococo, Neo-Classic, Romantic, and Realist eras. This tour culminates in the Impressionist galleries, with vibrant examples of artwork from Degas, Monet, Renoir, and Pissarro.
Italian Art
The Italian Art collection at the NGA allows us to trace the developments in painting from the Byzantine style of the 13th century through the dazzling beauty of portraits from the high Renaissance. Feast your eyes on works by famous artists such as Giotto, Fra Lippi, Raphael, and see the only Leonardo da Vinci portrait in all of North & South America!
Sculpture
Indoor sculpture examples include works in metal, marble, and terracotta from the Renaissance era through the early 20th century. Walk through the Sculpture Garden outdoors (weather permitting), and see thought-provoking and whimsical modern and contemporary works by Alexander Calder, Ellsworth Kelly, Sol Lewitt, and Roy Lichtenstein.
Museum Highlights
Throw caution to the wind and let your docent choose a dozen works of art at the National Gallery of Art — expect to see spectacular paintings from the American, Dutch, French and Italian collections.
Wandering Docent is NOT affiliated with the National Gallery of Art or any of the Smithsonian Museums.
