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National Gallery of Art Tour: A Guided Crash Course

Get up close and personal with prized masterworks and lesser-known gems from a world-famous art collection

Walking Tour
3 hrs
Washington
The Finer Details
Created with a gift from financier and art collector Andrew W. Mellon, the National Gallery of Art opened its doors in 1941 as a museum devoted to the people of the United States of America. Mr. Mellon believed that the nation deserved a collection, open and free to the public, that could hold its own with the greatest collections of the world. In the company of an art historian, we'll explore highlights by Van Eyck, Rembrandt, and a host of American masters during this three-hour National Gallery of Art tour.

Tour Description

Our tour begins with a discussion of the museum’s most significant benefactors, including Mr. Mellon and others. We'll consider how the NGA’s neoclassical West Building embodies the modern visions and ideologies of these early supporters of art appreciation in Washington, DC while also looking back to the greatest architecture of antiquity.

As we move through the galleries, we will take a look at some of the NGA’s earliest masterworks in the thirteenth- and fourteenth-century Italian galleries. Moving on, we’ll have a chance to explore everything from Dutch and Flemish paintings of the seventeenth century to American and British paintings of the nineteenth century. Using these objects as our visual textbook, we’ll learn about the development of major genres of Western art like portraiture, still-life, and landscapes. We'll also delve into a discussion about national art schools like London’s Royal Academy, Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and New York’s National Academy of Design.

Take-Aways

Tour participants will get up close and personal with some of the NGA’s most prized and adored collections while uncovering hidden gems along the way. In addition to gaining a better understanding of the history of Western art, clients will hone their active “looking” skills and learn to think like an artist —a skill you can take away for your next museum trip.

FAQ

Can this tour include temporary exhibits?
If you are interested in visiting one of the Gallery's temporary exhibits, please contact us to see if this can be arranged.

There are certain works I would like to see. Can these be included?
Feel free can put any requests in the additional notes when booking, and your expert guide will take these into consideration.

Is this tour suitable for children?
This tour has not been especially designed for younger learners in mind; however, we can aim to assign a family-friendly guide for the tour. Families may also like to book our The National Mall Tour for Kid,s which has been designed for children 12 and under.

Can visitors with mobility issues take this tour? 
Yes, the National Gallery of Art is wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available for loan to visitors with mobility issues (on a first come-first-serve basis). All public spaces and facilities are accessible by elevator. If you have any mobility concerns, please make a note of these in the additional notes when booking so your expert guide is aware.
Book a Tour
Meet the Experts
Teresa Local Cultural Expert Teresa
Heather Art Historian Heather
Gabrielle Art History PhD Candidate Gabrielle
Rui Anthropologist, Biologist Rui
Where You’ll Go

From iconic landmarks to tucked-away local favorites, these are the places you’ll explore and experience firsthand with your Expert.

  • National Gallery of Art
What’s Included As Standard
Here’s a look at what your tour covers, plus anything you’ll want to consider arranging separately, so you can plan with confidence.
Included
  • English-speaking expert guide
    Tours led in English, offering you unbroken understanding throughout.
  • Intentionally sized groups
    A smaller group means more time for conversations and questions.
  • Tickets and entrance fees
    All entry tickets included (unless clearly stated otherwise).
  • Headsets
    Headsets are included on tours that need them, so every word can be heard.
Excluded
  • Gratuities
    We encourage tipping as a way to thank your guide after your experience.
  • Food and drink
    Refreshments are only included during a tour when clearly noted.
  • Transportation to and from the meeting point
    Unless noted, pre- and post-tour transport isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
  • Hotel pickup or drop-off
    Unless noted, travel to or from accommodation isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
Where You'll Explore
Map of National Gallery of Art Tour: A Guided Crash Course general meeting point area

Make the Most of Your Tour

Some helpful advice for getting the most from your experience, from practical prep to small on-the-day tips.

Dos:
  • Wear comfortable footwear
  • Check the weather and dress appropriately
  • Bring a bottle of water (no glass)
  • Feel free to ask your Expert anything
Don'ts:
  • Bring firearms or weapons
  • Bring sharp objects (e.g. knives, swiss army knives, switchblades, hiking sticks)
  • Dress inappropriately to enter religious sites or sacred monuments
Any questions? You can always contact us.

Don’t just take our word for it

70 Reviews

We had a fantastic experience on our tour of the National Gallery. Gaby was incredibly knowledgeable about art history and made each piece come alive with engaging stories and clear explanations. Her passion and ability to make complex ideas easy to understand made the tour both enjoyable and memorable. Highly recommended!

Our three-hour tour at the National Gallery of Art was outstanding. Our guide, a working art professor, selected important paintings from the Late Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Impressionist, and Post-Impressionist periods as vehicles to both explain the changes in Western art from the late fourteenth to early twéntieth centuries, and to highlight the special strengths of the National Gallery’s collection. Her commentary was lucid, interesting, and informative, pitched perfectly for a non specialist audience. Finally, her manner was warm, approachable, and personable. Highly recommended.

Photo Shared by Howard with their review

We had an excellent experience with Stephen who is very knowledgeable and we learned more than we expected. A great afternoon!

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