The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC is one of the largest holdings of paintings in the U.S. Presently it has 1,200 paintings compared to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art with 2,200 and Boston's Museum of Fine Art with 1,600.

At this time of year the wisteria flowers are abloom against the building's marble facade. It is truly a lovely sight to behold. To some passerbys, the National Gallery's exterior may appear stern, but that doesn't reveal the treasures it houses within.

Perhaps out of curiosity you may dare to enter this museum where much of the country's, and in fact the world's, greatest collection of art is displayed.

Warning: What you may see within these walls could change your outlook on art forever.

The first time I really examined Leonardo da Vinci's "Ginevra de' Benci" was in 1996. I was absolutely mezmerized. The shine of her hair, the blush on her cheeks, the sheerness of her dress is so brilliantly executed by Leonardo da Vinci, the original Renaissance man.

It is difficult to choose from the National Gallery of Art's vast collection, but these are a few of my personal favorites:

Flemish

Jan van Eyck's "The Annunciation" (1434-1436)
Roger van der Weyden's "Portrait of a Lady" (1455)

Dutch

Johannes Vermeer's "Woman Holding a Balance" (1664)
Rembrandt's "Self Portrait" (1637)

Italian

Leonardo da Vinci's "Ginevra de' Benci" (1474-1478)

It should be noted that the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC is not part of the Smithsonian, but is considered a Smithsonian "affiliate museum."

Washington DC is a very family-friendly city. Most of the museums are free of charge and it is an educational experience for children of all ages.

If you've ever seen a Vermeer painting, you'll want to own a print and be reminded of its beauty. This is one of my favorites, "Woman Holding a Balance," available here from Allposters.com.





Woman Holding a Balance, c.1664

Art Print

Vermeer, Jan


Buy at AllPosters.com



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