Plan Your Visit

See the calendar

All of our special exhibitions are free. Find out what's on.

A sprig of flowering rosemary lying against an ivory-white background and the twelve insects that surround it fills this horizontal painting. Stretching nearly the length of the composition with the cut end to our left, the rosemary has blunted, needle-like, gently curling teal-green leaves and small periwinkle-blue flowers along the ash-brown stem. Several insects perch on the sprig while others are seen as if looking from overhead, resting on the white background. The three largest insects perch along the top of the sprig, with an ivory-white butterfly with moss-green and black markings to the left, a black and golden, fuzzy bumblebee near the center, and a lemon-yellow butterfly with red antennae to our right. A tiny red insect, perhaps a ladybug without spots, sits on a leaf between the bee and yellow butterfly, and a small wasp-like insect rests on a leaf in at the lower left. Another mosquito-like insect alights on the surface nearby, next to a beetle with a honey-orange body with black, almost tiger-like stripes. A large cockroach sitting near the lower right corner has six spindly legs, a mahogany-colored abdomen, a black thorax, and tiny, black head. Spaced somewhat evenly across the top of the panel are a brick-red, winged insect to the left, a mint-green, beetle-like bug near a moth patterned with bone white and black, and a black, fly-like insect to our right. Lit from the upper left, the rosemary and insects cast shadows on the surface. The artist signed and dated the work with gray in the lower left corner: “J v. kessel . . f. Ao 1653.”

  • Admission

    Admission is always free. 
    You don't need passes or tickets to enjoy our galleries, exhibitions, or guided tours. Some events require free registration.

  • Hours

    Open daily 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

    Closed on December 25 and January 1

Getting here

Two buildings, one garden—yours to explore and always free.

Locations

A map of the National Gallery of Art campus in Washington, D.C., showing the layout from west to east: the Sculpture Garden, West Building, and East Building. The campus spans from 9th Street NW to 3rd Street NW, with Constitution Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue NW to the north, and Madison Drive NW and the National Mall to the south.

We recommend taking public transportation. The nearest Metro station is Archives-Navy Memorial Penn Quarter, a 6-minute walk from the West Building. Metrobuses stop along Constitution Avenue NW. There’s no parking garage on our campus, though we set aside a limited number of parking spaces for vehicles with disability parking permits or tags.

This information is available in Español, Français, Pусский, 中文, 日本語, Italiano, and Deutsch.

While you're here

Make the most of your visit—enjoy our must-sees, browse our shops for unique gifts, and take a moment to unwind in our galleries and gardens.

Did you know?

We offer films, artist lectures, and musical performances.
  • What to expect

    Prep for your visit with information on our amenities, visitor policies, and more

  • Tours, guides, and maps

     Download a map or pick one up at any entrance. Join a guided tour or choose your own adventure with self-guided itineraries and audio tours. 

  • Accessibility

    Everyone is welcome at the National Gallery of Art, and we commit to making our collection, buildings, and programs accessible to all.

  • Visiting with kids

    Read our tips for bringing young art lovers.

What to see

Don't miss the highlights that visitors love most. 

West Building Must-Sees

Our original building showcases 11th–early-20th-century art, a soaring Rotunda, and lush garden courts.

East Building Must-Sees

This architectural marvel houses our contemporary and modern collection, Roof Terrace, and light-filled Atrium.

Sculpture Garden Must-Sees

This 6-acre oasis is a peaceful setting for more than 20 modern sculptures, a central fountain, and café.

Guided Tours

Whether this is your first time discovering the National Gallery or we are welcoming you back, these free tours are for you.

While you're here

Food and drink

Refuel with five unique dining experiences across our campus, from lattes in the Garden Café to homemade flatbreads in the Sculpture Garden’s Pavilion Café.

Shops

Browse our three distinctive stores to find art-inspired decor, books, jewelry, and gifts for everyone your list—or yourself. Shop online for additional selections and custom prints.