National Gallery of Art West Building

Item

Item sets
Mall Histories
Washington
Title
National Gallery of Art West Building
Creator
John Russell Pope
Date
03/17/1941 (Dedicated)
Description
In the 1920s, art collector and financier Andrew Mellon decided that the city needed a proper museum of art to rival those in Europe. With construction funds, a sizable endowment, and art all donated from Mellon, construction on the National Gallery of Art was begun in 1937. The building, designed in a classical style by John Russell Pope, was dedicated on March 17, 1941. The museum quickly attracted donations from other prominent art dealers, and today features art from around the world.
Coverage
1920-1949
Location
National Mall between 3rd and 7th Streets at Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC
Source
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. View original.