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National Museum of Asian Art (Freer & Sackler Galleries)

1050 Independence Avenue Southwest, Washington, District of Columbia

Description

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art consists of the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. They contain art from various Asian regions as well as the Islamic world, the ancient Near East and Egypt and some American Art. The time span is from the Neolithic to modern eras. Collections in the Freer Gallery include, inter alia, Korean pottery and porcelain, Japanese folding screens, Buddhist sculptures, Persian manuscripts, Chinese paintings, and ceramics. The Peacock Room by American artist Whistler is also there. In the Sackler Gallery, collections include Near Eastern metalware and ceramics, South and Southeast Asian sculpture, Chinese jade and bronze pieces, Chinese lacquerware and paintings, and Persian and Islamic paintings and manuscripts.

Access & Transport

The museum is on the southern side of the National Mall, next to the Smithsonian Castle and the African Art Museum. The Smithsonian metro station (Blue, Orange and Silver lines) is next to it and the L'Enfant train station is 5mins walk away. There are also bus services along Independence Ave SW. Accessibility info: https://asia.si.edu/visit/accessibility/

Instructions & Recommendations

This activity is easily combined with a walk along the National Mall and the following museums: African Art and Natural History.

Meta review

Online reviewers point out that that the galleries are not as vast as some of the other Smithsonian museums but the content is of high quality with personal preferences being quite diverse: Japanese room for some, Persian silver or Peacok Room for others. Visitors note that it is generally not crowded, the labelling is good and there is a nice courtyard with a fountain to sit down and take a break.

Environmental & Social

No environmental data available - so we deem this activity marginally negative because of electricity consumption (cooling/heating, lighting). Helps spread culture and the arts but some unfortunate association with the US opioid 'epidemic'.

Conclusion

Not the most impressive of the museums along the National Mall of Washington but still very much worth a visit for every art enthusiast. It would probably be considered a must-see in most cities in North America.

Key positive

Plenty of impressive artwork

Free admission and centrally located

Key negative

Ethical aspects around provenance of artefact / artwork and donors

Suitability

Accessible. Children less than 12yrs old may not be very interested.

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

Updated in August 2023

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Closed on 25 Dec.

av. transport time:0h 20m

est. visit time:1h 30m

Regulated hours

Monday10:00 - 17:30

Tuesday10:00 - 17:30

Wednesday10:00 - 17:30

Thursday10:00 - 17:30

Friday10:00 - 17:30

Saturday10:00 - 17:30

Sunday10:00 - 17:30

Pricing
Free

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