National Gallery of Art East Building

Title

National Gallery of Art East Building

Description

When Andrew Mellon donated his collection to form the National Gallery of Art in the 1930s, he asked Congress to reserve land near to the Gallery for future expansion. By the 1960s, the Gallery needed that expansion. With funding from the Andrew Mellon Foundation and Mellon family members, the Gallery commissioned architect I. M. Pei to design a modernist wing to the east of the original building. Construction began for the new East Wing in 1971 and was completed in 1978.

Creator

Source

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. View original.

Date

06/01/1978 (Opened)

Coverage

Physical Description

The East Wing of the National Gallery of Art has a modernist style which is nonetheless closely linked with the classical style of the original West Building.

Location

National Mall between 3rd and 7th Streets at Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC.

Description

When Andrew Mellon donated his collection to form the National Gallery of Art in the 1930s, he asked Congress to reserve land near to the Gallery for future expansion. By the 1960s, the Gallery needed that expansion. With funding from the Andrew Mellon Foundation and Mellon family members, the Gallery commissioned architect I. M. Pei to design a modernist wing to the east of the original building. Construction began for the new East Wing in 1971 and was completed in 1978.

Creator

I. M. Pei

Date

06/01/1978 (Opened)

Coverage

1950-1979

Source

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. View original.

Geolocation