downtown

Whenever we go downtown, I'm awed but how blessed we are to live in a city filled with amazing FREE art exhibits. What struck me most today was the incredible architecture and the richness of the materials used to house the fabulous works of art. The girls and I spent most of our time in the West Wing of the National Gallery. It was designed by architect neoclassicist John Russell Pope and completed 1941. Nearly every inch of it is carved out of pink Tennesse marble. It's so striking.

The mall entrance

The Pantheon-like dome in the West Wing

one of two symetrical indoor gallery gardens

yes, even the water fountains are gorgeous

Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux's Girl with a Shell

central west wing fountain

a day well spent....

Have a wonderful weekend!