Established in 1962 by Congress, the National Portrait Gallery has a mission “to tell the story of America by portraying the people who shape the nation’s history, development and culture. Part of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Portrait Gallery shares a building with the American Art Museum (also owned and curated by the Smithsonian).
Housed in a National Historic Landmark Building which once held our nation’s founding documents and served as a hospital for ailing and injured soldiers during the Civil War, the National Portrait Gallery is truly a Washington Institution.
Once limited to just paintings, the museum’s collection of exhibits and artworks has now grown to house over 23,000 different items of all sorts, from really early versions of photographs (called daguerreotypes) to sculptures and engravings. The NPG uses these items to tell the story of the United States through the individuals who shaped its culture. Whether you’re an art fan, pop culture fanatic, or history buff, there’s something within the walls of the National Portrait Gallery for you.
Fun Facts about the National Portrait Gallery
- Clara Barton, the founder of the Red Cross, once walked the halls of this magnificent building during her time as a clerk for the Patent Office commissioner.
- The National Portrait Gallery owns the only complete collection of presidential portraits outside of the White House.
- The NPG now commissions these portraits. Something they started in the 1990s, beginning with then-president George H.W. Bush.
Below we’ve included a FAQ Section with lots of logistical information to help you plan your visit. Scroll down to view our “5 Things to See at the National Portrait Gallery” for a quick virtual tour of sorts.
Seem like a lot of art to cover? Let us do the work for you! Come check out one of our new renegade tours or bring your team to learn from some of the best figures history has to offer.
Guide to the National Portrait Gallery
5 Things to See at the National Portrait Gallery
Gilbert Stuart’s “Lansdowne” painting of George Washington
Originally commissioned by American Senator, William Bingham as a gift for the first Marquis of Lansdowne, William Petty, this portrait was celebrated by the British as a symbol of George Washington endorsing the controversial Jay Treaty which settled claims with Great Britain after the Revolutionary War.
Stuart painted multiple copies of the original Lansdowne portrait, as well as variations (one of which ended up belonging to Alexander Hamilton). Due to the fact that there were so many nearly identical copies of the portrait floating around, it took years of controversy to finally determine that the National Portrait Gallery owned the original “Lansdowne” painting of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart. This determination happened in 2004, nearly 50 years after the painting was originally loaned to the museum.
In 2001, the museum nearly lost this panting when it’s owner decided to place it up for auction until a gift from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation allowed it to be purchased and housed at the museum permanently. It now graces the entrance of the presidential gallery.
The “cracked-plate” portrait of Abraham Lincoln by Alexander Gardner
Taken by the artist in his studio (which was right near where the National Portrait Gallery sits now), the copy of this portrait which hangs on the walls of the museum is the only one to exist. That’s because the glass plate (the film before film existed) cracked when Gardner applied the emulsion to it in order to pull the portrait. After making this single copy, Gardner then threw the plate away.
This image was captured on February 5, 1865, a mere two months before President Lincoln’s tragic death. Perhaps because only one copy exists or because of Lincoln’s soft, confident smile (this was taken near the end of the Civil War), this image has an intense, dramatic power. Come see it for yourself!
Andy Warhol’s portrait of Michael Jackson
Commissioned by TIME Magazine to celebrate Thriller’s record sales figures and unprecedented Grammy wins this silkscreen portrait embodies all things iconic. Despite the fact that Warhol indicated in his diary that he didn’t actually like the painting, TIME staff did and published the image on the cover of the March 19, 1894 issue.
The portrait hangs in the halls of the National Portrait Gallery thanks to an ongoing relationship with TIME Magazine which has resulted in the museum gaining many portraits of 20th century figures on display today.
Foster’s canopy, which covers the Kogod Courtyard
Built in 2004, this modern structure compliments the historic building to which it’s attached, accenting the space differently depending on the time of day and weather outside.
To quote Philip Kennicott of the Washington Post, “It is, however, worth seeing the canopy at different times throughout the day. The glass roof is an undulating form, supported by eight slender columns. When the sun is out, it casts a lattice of shadows on the walls of the old building. When it’s cloudy, the sky seems farther away, chilly and remote. When the sun is setting, the double-glazed glass filters the light and colors into a watery, otherworldly presence.”
If you’re in the Penn Quarter, this is a great place to come hang out!
The portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama
While this is technically 2 things to see, these portraits share a similar significance – not only are they images of the first African-American First Family, they were commissioned of African-American artists.
In addition to the fact that Kehinde Wiley painted a particularly colorful portrait of the President, Barack Obama’s image stands in stark contrast to the 43 presidential portraits that come before it.
The circumstantial contrast and historical significance of the portraits makes them a must-see, for sure.
Hacks for Visiting the National Portrait Gallery
- Grab a quick break in the Kogod Courtyard - whether you’re visiting the museum, just passing by, or looking for a peaceful spot to meet a colleague or friend, this is a great spot!
- Check out the Lunder Conservation Center. This facility houses restoration work from both the NPG and American Art Museum and it's floor-to-ceiling windows treat museumgoers to a fantastic view of the conservation efforts housed within.
- Practice your own portraiture among the greats - no need to get famous folks to sit for you, come sketch their likeness for free here! Sketching is allowed in all the galleries, just make sure your sketch pad is under 18 x 24 inches.
the National Portrait Gallery: Frequently Asked Questions & Logistics
Admission
$0 Everyone
Coat Check
Backpacks are not allowed to be worn on your back, so, be willing to keep them on your front or at your side while visiting the galleries. Suitcases, full-length umbrellas, and backpacks or purses can all be checked in the coat rooms at the F and G street entrances. You can also store your things in lockers provided by the museum.
Contact
Phone Number: 202-633-8300
Address: 8th St. NW & F St. NW, Washington, DC 20001
Dining in the NPG
Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard – café with salads and sandwiches, beer and coffee, plus free WiFi.
Hours
11:30am-7pm daily
Closed on Christmas
Parking
Street parking is limited to metered spaces (be sure to get there early!) and some public garages which charge hourly rates. Check the museum’s website (http://npg.si.edu/visit/getting-here) for more info about parking around the National Portrait Gallery.
Public Transit
Take the Metro Red Line and get off at the Gallery Place/Chinatown Stop. The DC Circulator’s Georgetown-Union Station route has a stop in the neighborhood.
Strollers
Strollers are allowed in the galleries and exhibitions, but are subject to staff’s judgement if spaces become overcrowded.
What’s Allowed Inside
Water may be kept inside a bag within the galleries, but otherwise, no outside food or drinks are allowed in the National Portrait Gallery.
Why We Know So Much About the National Portrait Gallery
Our company, Museum Hack, leads renegade tours of the world’s best museums, including at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC. Our guides are experts in the obscure, and collectors of amazing hidden stories about the art and museum; many of which the museum staff isn’t allowed to share.
When you come on a tour of the National Portrait Gallery with Museum Hack, expect:
- Fun games! Tell us which artworks you’d match with an emoji. Recreate the famous Watson and the Shark painting in a tableau vivant posing contest. Create your own High School Superlatives with the portraits.
- A world of gossip. Find out the story of Whistler’s ex-mistress, who later posed nude for the well-known painting, Origine du Monde. Why Turner and Constable, two artists who hated each other in life, are now hanging side by side in the same gallery.
- Subversive stories. There’s a painting of a woman with a really fabulous, fancy, LARGE hairdo. Why? Because she was a spy for the crown who would hide secrets woven into her hair. A Vermeer painting that’s only “attributed” to the artist, as it’s authenticity is still in question!
- Hidden insights. The museum often leaves out the best, most interesting information, like where to find the Queen’s official dwarf. At first glance, you might think that he’s a kid, but we can set you straight. There’s also a secret room downstairs that has pictures of monkeys doing human things (most casual visitors don’t know how to find it)!
- Zany photos. We love museum selfies! Art museums always make great backgrounds. We’ll even challenge you to use your camera to complete challenges and play games during the tour.
No matter how many times you’ve visited the National Portrait Gallery, we’ll show you the “Un-highlights” you have never seen or heard of before.
