The Collection
From Byzantine altarpieces to pop art, learn all about paintings, sculpture, prints, drawings, photographs, and other works in the collection. Browse the collection and make connections among objects you know and newly discovered masterpieces.
Highlights
Browse these notable works, personally selected by Gallery curators, to find new insights about the artists and surprising details behind their most significant creations.
Search the Collection
Search the entire National Gallery of Art collection by artist's last name, key words in the title, key words in object information, credit line, provenance name, accession number, exhibition history, and/or catalogue raisonné.
Artists
Explore a list of artists whose works make up the National Gallery of Art collection. Filter results by nationality, lifespan, last name, and biographies.
Acquisition Highlights
The Gallery is constantly building its collections through gift and purchase. A number of important works recently acquired are featured here.
Paintings
Search nearly 4,000 European and American paintings in our collection, dating from the Renaissance period to the present day.
Sculptures
Search nearly 3,000 European and American sculptures in our collection, dating from the Renaissance to the present day.
Prints
Nearly 70,000 prints by European and American artists, dating from the 11th century, are listed here. Find at least artist, title, and date information on each object.
Drawings
Around 31,000 drawings in media such as pencil, watercolor, and pen and ink, among others, are in the Gallery's collection.
photographs
The Gallery owns almost 15,000 photographs, dating from the beginning of the medium in 1839 to the present.
Decorative Arts
As objects for daily use, works of decorative art allow a close insight into cultures of the past.
Time-Based Media Art
Time-based media art depends on technology and has a durational element that is experienced by viewers over time.
Search the Collection
Search for a specific object by title, artist, keyword, provenance, or exhibition history in our Collection Search.
See the works that are on view now in the Gallery.
Recent Acquisitions
View the most recent acquisitions in the Gallery's collections.
Provenance Research
Tours and Guides
See the collection in context and gain insight into artists and their work. The Gallery offers guided tours led by educators and docents, self-guided tours of our highlights, and self-guided audio tours.
Building Maps
Find old favorites and make new discoveries. View maps and easily navigate the East and West Buildings as well as the Sculpture Garden.
Support Us
While the Gallery is home to many renowned masterpieces, significant gaps in the collection remain generating the need to increase and improve the Gallery’s holdings. Every work of art in the collection is the result of private philanthropy and the Gallery looks to its major donors to help sustain the standard of excellence by making gifts for the acquisition of art.
Learn more
National Lending Service
FAQs
Have a question? Take a look at our list of the most frequently asked questions.