www.corcoran.org

A renowned private collection in a beautiful Beaux Arts museum building, the Corcoran was D.C.'s first art museum and is still the city's only college of art and design. Originally housed in what is now the Renwick Gallery, the collection outgrew its space and moved to its current location in 1897. It is currently undergoing another expansion, having once again outgrown its space with thousands of new objects added in recent years, with a new wing designed by Frank Gehry. Work is scheduled to be completed by 2009.

Collection Highlights

The collection was amassed by William Corcoran (1798–1888), a Washington banker and philanthropist who realized how important it was to begin collecting American art, not just the European masters that everyone else with money was buying. Highlights of his personal collection include Bierstadt's Last of the Buffalo and Frederick Church's Niagara, as well as Healy's portrait of Abraham Lincoln (a second one is in the White House) and the controversial sculpture of the naked female Greek Slave by Hiram Powers.

There are a number of important works by European artists here as well, such as Rubens, Delacroix, Renoir, Monet, Corot, Degas, and Turner. You can also see a working clock that once belonged to Marie Antoinette.

Contemporary Works

Newer works by American artists include canvases by almost all the members of the Hudson River school, as well as paintings by Mary Cassatt, Thomas Eakins, Mark Rothko, and Helen Frankenthaler. In the lower level of the gallery, near the cafe, is a changing exhibit of works by African-American artists — the Corcoran has the largest collection of works by African-American artists in any American art museum and includes 350 works dating back to 1806. The museum has an especially energetic program of exhibitions and activities that has featured such diverse shows as “Picturing the Banjo,” “Dutch Royal Silver,” “Italian Renaissance Ceramics,” “Joan of Arc,” the history of photography, and a huge retrospective of American contemporary art.

The Corcoran is accessible to those with disabilities. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Restaurant and Gift Shop

The museum restaurant, Café des Artistes, offers wonderfully creative meals often tied to the show. You can fantasize that you are eating in ancient Greece, surrounded by stately columns with a copy of a frieze from the Parthenon on the walls above. There's also a Sunday gospel brunch accompanied by local gospel musicians. Price, which includes museum admission, is $24.95 for adults, and $11.95for children. Seating begins at 10:30 A.M.

The museum shop offers an eclectic mix of unusual art-related gifts, apparel, kid stuff, books and one-of-a-kind items. You can also order from the Web site. Because the Corcoran has an art school, it often supports the work of local artists.

Location and Hours

The Corcoran Gallery is located on 17th Street NW, between E Street and New York Avenue. Take the Metro to Farragut North (Red Line, K St. exit), or Farragut West (Orange or Blue Line, 17th St. exit).

The Corcoran is open Wednesday through Sunday between 10 A.M. and 5 P.M. and Thursday to 9 P.M. The gallery is closed on Monday, except holidays, and Tuesday, as well as on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

Admission for adults is $8, $6 for seniors and military, and $4 for students with valid ID. Children under twelve get in free. There are fees for special exhibits. Visitors may pay as they wish on Thursdays after 5 P.M. Every Sunday afternoon there is an art-making workshop for kids ages five to ten. Reservations are required, and there are free family days four times a year with performances and art demonstrations.