National Portrait Gallery — Attraction in Washington

We have enjoyed a couple of visit to the National Portrait Gallery (free entry) this past Spring and continue to find this museum, along with the accompanying Smithsonian American Art Museum, for which it shares space in the Old Patent Office on 8th and F Street, to be one of D.C.s best venues for art lovers. The museum is open from open from 11.30am to 7pm daily.

A recent addition is the Portrait of fictional character President Francis J. Underwood from the popular TV series 'House of Cards'. This is a really neat painting to find near the gift shops. Other highlights include the very good permanent portrait exhibitions of American presidents, 20th century Americans and celebrity figures which can be viewed in the Bravo and Champions exhibitions on the top floor.

There seem to be several temporary exhibitions ongoing throughout the year. Do check the National Portrait Gallery website to find out what will be on offer during the time of your intended visit.

Interestingly, the museum layout for the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum crisscrosses floor space between the first and second floor, resulting in what seems like an intentional blended museum experience. Visitors will likely cross over between the museum collections from time to time, which is rather fine as both collections are very good. So just enjoy the artworks you are viewing and don't pay too much attention to which museum you are technically in.

Note: The two museums are both large and can require much time to view comprehensively. You may need to allow a half day or more if you are a fan of art and want to explore as much of the collection as possible.

If you have limited time, it will be best to visit the website, review the permanent and temporary exhibitions and download map so you can do a bit of pre-visit planning before your trip to D.C. This will allow you to maximise your time prior to visiting the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian...

National Portrait Gallery is a place where we can mesmerize the different angles of 🎨 and their artistic skills. With visual arts, performing arts, and new media, the Portrait Gallery introduces you to the people who have shaped the country—poets, presidents, actors, activists, visionaries, villains...and everyone in between. Its collection weaves together story and biography from precolonial times to the present to tell the American story. Located at 8th and F streets NW, the Portrait Gallery is inside the Donald W. Reynolds Center, which also serves as the space for the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Admission is free, and the museum is open from 11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m through the week from May 30, 2022. The building also features the beautiful Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard, a quiet place to work or relax with free Wi-Fi along with charging points.

America’s Presidents, the nation’s only complete collection of presidential portraits outside the White House including the Obama portraits; workshops and programs for young people; Portrait Discovery Kits for kids and families; the Kogod Courtyard. There is no public parking facility for the museum. Limited metered parking and commercial lots are available.

The museum's shop is now open! Shopping for a real book lover? Searching for that last perfect gift? Or maybe you just want to treat yourself? The Museum Shop features a variety of distinctive objects inspired by popular works from the museum’s permanent collection as well as works from special...

For me the original "model room" on the 3rd floor is the hidden gem of the museum. It was actually designed as part of the original patent office, to hold the documents and models that were submitted. Today it holds exhibits, currently "the Champions", and the extention holds a hefty art collection in exhibit cases. But what is amazing is the architecture of this area. It has undulating balconies decorated with Corinthian style pillars in tones of biege, pale green and gold. There are 2 different renaissance styles from one hall to the next. The design is magical. Stained glass windows adorn the grand rounded marble staircases leading into this area. Beautiful tiling and frescos and the images of famous inventors including Franklin and Fulton decorate the entrance lobby, highlighted by a stained glass skylight. Etched windows on the entry floor adorn the side exhibition rooms. The second hall is full of statues on that entry floor while the above mezzanine are loaded with all types of artwork. Lincoln had his inaugural ball in these two hall. Of course the hall of Presidential portraits on the second floor of the main museum shows the leaders of our republic in truly artistic fashion. The new presentation of Lincoln' full body portrait by Travers is a highlight, as well as the Landsdown portrait of Washington. This museum has much more to offer, but depending on patience and how much you can absorb, you must return to take...