The National Gallery of Art East Wing


I spent a wonderful afternoon last week visiting the Smithsonian's National Gallery of Art East Wing, which houses it's Modern and  Contemporary collection.  The East Wing was built in 1978 under the patronage of Paul Mellon, among others, and was designed by I.M. Pei.  The building underwent a major renovation last year and it is now much more open and the galleries are more light filled.  The musuem also has integrated many American works from the Corcoran Museum, which sadly closed in 2014.  One is greeted by a soaring entrance with a large Calder (above).  The perfect space for such an important collection.  A must visit when in Washington, DC (not all of DC is about politics, thank goodness).   I hope you enjoy my favorites. 

Jean Dubuffet, "Site a l'homme assis", 1969-1984.

Love this large scale piece by Robert Motherwell, "Reconciliation Elegy", 1978.

There is an entire gallery dedicated to the works Mark Rothko (a favorite of the Mellons)  "Untitled",1949. 

A collection of sculptures by Constantin Brancusi.

A favorite Henri Matisse, "Palm Leaf, Tangier", 1912.

A massive Henry Moore at the entrance. "Knife Edge Mirror Two Piece",1976-1978.

The patrons and designers of the East Wing.

 

 

 


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