National Gallery of Art

　　   Introduction
　　   The National Gallery of Art is one of the most architecturally exquisite and richest art museums in the world. This treasure trove of artworks houses approximately 40,000 pieces from Europe, spanning the Middle Ages to modern times, and from the American colonial period to the present. On the second-floor exhibition area, various galleries showcase paintings from different periods. The museum’s exterior features an ancient Roman-style structure, donated and commissioned by Andrew W. Mellon, who personally selected the renowned architect John Russell Pope to design it. It is divided into two parts: one on the west side, designed in neoclassical style with elements of ancient Greek architecture; and one on the east side, a modern triangular building. At the center of the museum’s atrium stands a bronze fountain statue of Mercury—the ancient Roman god who delivered messages for the gods and presided over commerce and communication.      Transportation      Metro: Archives, Judiciary Square, or Smithsonian      Address: 401 Constitution Ave NW      Website: www.nga.gov      Phone: 202/737-4215      Tickets / Opening Hours      Cost: Free.      Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00–17:00; Sunday: 11:00–18:00. Closed on New Year’s Day and Christmas Day.

　　    Washington, D.C., USA