National Gallery of Art
Washington D.C. · United States · Founded 1937
Quick answer
National Gallery of Art in 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 Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Admission: free admission. Allow 2–4 hours and book a timed ticket ahead.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
National Gallery of Art at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Admission | Free admission |
| Free access | Always free — no admission charge ever |
| Booking | Book a timed ticket in advance — peak slots sell out |
| Time needed | 2–4 hours |
| Getting there | Metro: Archives–Navy Memorial–Penn Quarter (Green/Yellow lines) — 3-minute walk west along Mall |
| Address | Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20565, USA |
| Official website | nga.gov |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is National Gallery of Art known for?
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.
Andrew W. Mellon donated a substantial art collection and funds for construction. The core collection includes major works of art donated by Paul Mellon, Ailsa Mellon Bruce, Lessing J. Rosenwald, Samuel Henry Kress, Rush Harrison Kress, Peter Arrell Browne Widener, Joseph E. Widener, and Chester Dale.
The Gallery's campus consists of two buildings: the West Building, designed by John Russell Pope in the neoclassical style, and the East Building, designed by I. M. Pei in a strikingly modern geometric form.
The collection includes the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci in the Americas, Ginevra de' Benci, alongside major works by virtually every important Western artist.
Best for: Art Lovers · First-timers · Rainy-day visits
How long do you need at National Gallery of Art?
Allow 2–4 hours. A focused route through 3 must-see highlights at National Gallery of Art without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Ginevra de'Benci
📍 West Building, Italian Galleries
The only Leonardo da Vinci painting on permanent public display in the Americas.
- 2
The Alba Madonna
📍 West Building, Italian Gallery
A circular tondo depicting the Virgin and Child with the young St John the Baptist.
- 3
Woman Holding a Balance
📍 West Building, Dutch Galleries
A woman stands at a window weighing gold or pearls on a small scale.
What are the must-see works at National Gallery of Art?
3 highlights that define the collection: Ginevra de'Benci, The Alba Madonna, Woman Holding a Balance.
Ginevra de'Benci
Leonardo da Vinci · c. 1474–1478
📍 West Building, Italian Galleries
The only Leonardo da Vinci painting on permanent public display in the Americas. The portrait of a Florentine noblewoman — with her characteristic sfumato and botanical precision in the juniper leaves — was acquired by the NGA in 1967 for a then-record $5 million.
The Alba Madonna
Raphael · c. 1510
📍 West Building, Italian Gallery
A circular tondo depicting the Virgin and Child with the young St John the Baptist. Raphael's pyramidal composition and luminous colour achieve the serene classical balance that made him the most admired painter of the High Renaissance.
Woman Holding a Balance
Johannes Vermeer · c. 1664
📍 West Building, Dutch Galleries
A woman stands at a window weighing gold or pearls on a small scale. Behind her hangs a Last Judgement painting — setting the earthly weighing of precious things against divine judgement. One of Vermeer's finest works.
Collections and highlights
- • Ginevra de' Benci by Leonardo da Vinci
- • The Adoration of the Magi by Fra Angelico and Filippo Lippi
- • Girl with a Watering Can by Pierre-Auguste Renoir
- • The Voyage of Life series by Thomas Cole
- • Sculpture Garden featuring works by Calder, Lichtenstein, and Miró
Famous works with their own guide
How do you get to National Gallery of Art?
- metro Archives–Navy Memorial–Penn Quarter (Green/Yellow lines) — 3-minute walk west along Mall
- metro Judiciary Square (Red line) — 7-minute walk south
- bus DC Circulator National Mall route stops directly outside · Multiple Metrobus routes
- walk On the National Mall between 3rd and 9th Streets NW — 10 minutes from the Capitol, 5 minutes from the Air and Space Museum
Address: Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20565, USA
National Gallery of Art: frequently asked questions
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 of National Gallery of Art. Our 3-stop route — Ginevra de'Benci, The Alba Madonna, Woman Holding a Balance and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What are National Gallery of Art's opening hours?
National Gallery of Art is open Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
