National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, D.C.

The National Gallery of Art was our next tour during our family journey in Washington D.C. It was created in 1937 for the people of the United States by a joint resolution of Congress. It was made possible through the gift of financier and art collector Andrew W. Mellon. Now, join me, as I take you through this unique collection of sculptures.

The “Spider” by Louise Bourgeois, reminds me of a Daddy Long Leg on the prowl! Thankfully, I don’t have to worry about my paths crossing this large specimen. Only in the movies would I worry about that sort of occurrence.

This is my favorite sculpture and is called “Thinker on a Rock”. It was created by Barry Flanagon. It is a nice twist to the famous sculpture by Auguste Rodin called “The Thinker” which is located in Paris.

The Pavilion Cafe is becomingly placed amidst the sculpture garden. The menu includes salads, sandwiches, pizza, and beverages. It is a nice place to rest and relax while you get a bite to eat. As a bonus, you get to enjoy a view of the garden while you eat.

This unique tree appears as if it was taken out of a story book. Its leafless metal branches give the tree a whimsical look. I’m sure the birds enjoy perching on its branches. Now, you can say you have seen a metal tree!

A garden does not feel quite complete without a water feature. This one adds a pleasant touch to the sculpture garden.

This next sculpture is the “Four-sided Pyramid" by Sol LeWitt. This structure was constructed on site by the creator along with a team of engineers and stone masons.

This last sculpture I will share with you is more of a modern looking creation that made me think of a computer part as I walked by. The name though implies something else. The “Typewriter Eraser, Scale X” is by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje Van Bruggen. Claes Oldenburg was a Swedish sculptor who is known for his public art that features large sculptures of objects that we see every day. His artistic partner was actually his late wife. This was a nice ending to our tour of the sculpture garden.

Elizabeth’s Traveling Tip: The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden is located on the National Mall in Washington D.C. It is on the corner of Madison Dr. NW and 9th St. NW. Remember to bring your camera and sunglasses.