National Portrait Gallery, Washington DC
1 / 6
National Portrait Gallery - by Nina Desa on Google
Description
The National Portrait Gallery collection focuses on portraits of famous Americans divided across painting and sculpture, photography, and prints and drawings. It is housed in the mid-19h century Old Patent Office Building. The definition of 'historically' significant, the main criteria for selection, has nowadays become quite loose and individuals no longer need to be dead for at least 10 years. Some of the most famous items include the Lansdowne portrait of George Washington (painted by Gilbert Stuart in 1796) and the "cracked-plate" portrait of Abraham Lincoln (by Alexander Gardner in 1865).
Access & Transport
The museum is in the center of the city, on 8th and G Streets NW. It is 2 mins' walk from Gallery Pl-Chinatown metro station (Green, Rd, Yellow lines) and 5mins from three other stations: Metro Center (Blue, Orange, Red), Judiciary Square (Red) and Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter (Green, Yellow). Accessibility info: https://npg.si.edu/access
Instructions & Recommendations
We suggest combining this activity with the National Building Museum, the American Art Museum and/or the White House with its Visitors Center.
Environmental & Social
No info on building sustainability so we deem this marginally negative (electricity mostly). Helps spread culture and the arts
Conclusion
Tough competition among museums in DC so, even though it blends both artistic and historical aspects, it is hard to put forward this venue as being part of the short-list for a first-time visitor. We do think it is very worthwhile though, but for regional residents and return visitors to DC.
Key positive
Variety of style and medium
Enjoyable building architecture
Free admission and central location
Key negative
Don't expect many well-known masterpieces
Suitability
Wheelchair accessible. Best suited for 12yrs old and above.
About this Rating
TYPE
Desktop
RESEARCHED IN
August 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:0h 20m
est. visit time:2h 15m
Monday11:30 - 19:00
Tuesday11:30 - 19:00
Wednesday11:30 - 19:00
Thursday11:30 - 19:00
Friday11:30 - 19:00
Saturday11:30 - 19:00
Sunday11:30 - 19:00